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If you have been blessed by Divine Intimacy Radio, please help us spread the word by sharing this post on Facebook and with friends through email or other social media. This new series is focused on traditional themes of lent with respect to how we orient our<a href="http://spiritualdirection.com/2015/01/30/divine-intimacy-radio-is-here-spiritual-direction-topic-today/divintradio-1400x1400-v2-smaller" rel="attachment wp-att-38375"></a> hearts and minds to God through mortification, mitigation of appetites and all other manner of cleaning out our spiritual gardens to prepare for God's indwelling work in, on, and through our souls. Show Notes: Guest, Dr. Anthony Lilles, academic dean of the Avila Institute and St. John’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of Los Angels and specializes the spiritual doctrine of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity as well as the Carmelite doctors of the Church. Dr. Lilles takes us through an overview of appetites as described by St. John of the Cross in his work, The Ascent of Mount Carmel. <ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;"> <li>St. John refers chiefly to appetites that interfere with our relationship with God (not every appetite or simply our human nature).</li> <li>Specific examples of common problems with appetites.</li> <li>Steps that St. John of the Cross recommends to overcome the appetites as referenced in his work, The Ascent of Mount Carmel.</li> <li>In order to overcome the appetites, St. John recommends in his first council, to foster in our hearts the habitual desire to imitate Christ in everything that we do by bringing our lives in complete conformity with His by studying the life of Christ.</li> <li>Study prayerfully on your knees, not purely academically.</li> <li>If we feed our affection, the stronger the desire and movement of the heart becomes. Similarly, if we feed our appetites, those things that are not for the glory of God, we will be more inclined to do those things.</li> <li>Renunciation of the appetites brings you the freedom to imitate Christ.</li> <li>How do we increase our love of God during Lent? Fasting from food, entertainment, more time spent in prayer, more charitable good works. There is a painfulness in it at first, but then it becomes sweet.</li> <li>Act against the impulses that otherwise drive our behavior so that we are free to serve the Lord.</li> <li>Our love for Jesus should drive everything we do.</li> </ul> Resources: <ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;"> <li><a href="http://amzn.to/1vjJ0Yb" target="_blank">The Ascent of Mount Carmel, Chapter 13 - St. John of the Cross</a></li> </ul> <ul style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2000007629395px;"> <li class="p1">Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen – Published by Baronius Press <ul> <li class="p1"><a href="http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy" target="_blank">http://spiritualdirection.com/DivineIntimacy</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="p1">Navigating the Interior Life – Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God <ul> <li class="p1"><a href="http://spiritualdirection.com/Navigating" target="_blank">http://spiritualdirection.com/Navigating</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="p1">Guide for Examination of Conscience Download <ul> <li class="p1"><a title="Avila Institute Daily Examen Prayer Guide" href="http://spiritualdirection.com/2015/02/06/preparing-lent-part-2-divine-intimacy-radio/avila-institute-daily-examen-prayer-guide" target="_blank">Avila Institute Daily Examen Prayer Guide</a></li> </ul> </li> <li class="p1">For Call in questions for future shows 818-646-7729 – please leave your name, location and question.</li> </ul> Don’t forget to tell your friends about the show and help us get the word out. If the show is inspiring to you and you would like to help us make it a daily show, please <a href="http://navigatingtheinteriorlife.com/donation-page" target="_blank">click here to donate</a>. All donors will receive a signed copy of your choice of Dan’s new books, Finding God through Meditation, 30 Days with Teresa of Avila, or Navigating the Interior Life.

Appetites - How they hinder our spiritual progress

How can the wives of our brave soldiers cope with the stresses of life as their husbands leave to defend our great nation? Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they speak with Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle to discuss the difficulties that accompany being a military wife and the hope that is offered through Our Lord and His Church. Topics/Questions Covered in the Show: <ul> <li>What inspired Donna-Marie to write this book for military wives?</li> <li>What kind of struggles do military wives face?</li> <li>What is survivor's guilt?</li> <li>How do the stories of military wives who have gone through these struggles help others in their time of need?</li> <li>How does the book offer hope to those suffering from war wounds, whether physical, emotional or mental?</li> <li>How is prayer integrated into this book?</li> <li>What is the Military Council for Catholic Women?</li> </ul> Resources: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Spiritualdirection.com</a> - website</li> <li><a href="http://avila-institute.org/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sophiainstitute.com/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Sophia Institute Press</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.sophiainstitute.com/products/item/by-dawns-early-light" target="_blank" rel="noopener">By Dawn's Early Light</a> by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle</li> <li><a href="http://www.donnamariecooperoboyle.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.donnamariecooperoboyle.com</a> - Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle's website</li> <li>Questions? Send an e-mail to <a href= "mailto:Questions@myavila.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Questions@myavila.com</a> or call 818-646-7729. Please leave your name, location, and question(s).</li> </ul>

Resources Edition: July 10, 2018 - Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, By Dawn's Early Light

Description: This week, Dan, Melissa and Dr. Anthony Lilles dive into the oblation of St. Therese of Lisieux and take a closer look at her desires to serve the Lord. Topics/Questions covered in the show: <ul> <li>How can St. Therese "save souls on earth by liberating those suffering in purgatory"?</li> <li>How can God be her holiness?</li> <li>St. Therese recognizes her powerlessness to be holy and relies on God to attain the heights of holiness.</li> <li>The measure of our spiritual progress and our holiness is love of God and love of neighbor. </li> <li>St. Therese refers to Jesus as her spouse. How can men relate to this idea of being the spouse of Christ?</li> </ul> Resources: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/" target= "_blank">Spiritualdirection.com</a> - website</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp" target= "_blank">EWTN Global Catholic Radio</a></li> <li><a href="http://avila-institute.com/" target="_blank">Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/" target= "_blank">EWTN Religious Catalogue</a> - online</li> <li><a href= "http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Saints+Religious/LIVING+THE+MYSTERY+OF+MERCIFUL+LOVE.axd" target="_blank">Living the Mystery of Merciful Love: 30 Days with Therese of Lisieux</a> by Dr. Anthony Lilles and Dan Burke</li> <li>Questions? Send an e-mail to <a href= "mailto:Questions@myavila.com" target= "_blank">Questions@myavila.com</a> or call 818-646-7729. — please leave your name, location and question.</li> </ul>

January 6, 2017 - St. Therese: The Oblation Part 1, Her Mission

When St. Teresa's brother expressed a desire to practice physical mortification she gave him some spiritual direction. Dan and Melissa discuss acesis and spiritual progress as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with Teresa of Avila. Topics/Questions covered in the show: <ul> <li>What is a hair shirt? How is it used in the spiritual life?</li> <li>The role of the Holy Spirit in physical ascetical practices.</li> <li>How can one avoid the sin of pride when practicing ascesis?</li> <li>Discerning whether, or how, to practice mortification.</li> <li>Interior mortification vs. external mortification</li> <li>What are the benefits of ascetical practices?</li> <li>What are the fruits of suffering? Is voluntary suffering as fruitful as involuntary suffering?</li> </ul> Resources: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.emmausroad.org/30-Days-with-Teresa-of-Avila-P12215.aspx?afid=30" target="_blank">30 Days with Teresa of Avila</a> - Dan Burke and Anthony Lilles</li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com" target="_blank">http://www.spiritualdirection.com</a> - Catholic Spiritual Direction website</li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/author/dr-lilles" target="_blank">Dr. Anthony Lilles</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2015/09/11/heights-of-prayer-30-days-with-teresa-of-avila-reflections-on-day-26-pt-1" target="_blank">Reflections on Day 26 - Part 1</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07113b.htm" target="_blank">Hair shirt</a> - New Advent link</li> <li><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11604a.htm" target="_blank">Pelagianism</a> - New Advent link</li> <li><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15505a.htm" target="_blank">Voluntarism</a> - New Advent link</li> <li><a href="http://avila-institute.com/" target="_blank">Avila Institute</a> – Link</li> <li><a href="http://usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/9/" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 9:27</a> - USCCB Bible link "I drive (or buffet) my body and train it."</li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2010/02/19/fr-barron-comments-on-pope-john-paul-ii-and-self-mortification" target="_blank">Fr. Barron Comments on Pope John Paul II and Self-Mortification</a>– Fr. Robert Barron video on “Taking the discipline” on spiritualdirection.com</li> </ul>

Ascetical Practices - 30 Days with Teresa of Avila - Reflections on Day 26 - Part 2

How can we become more aware of our sins? Why is our disposition so important to effective prayer and meditation? Dan and Melissa answer these questions as they reflect on the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara. Topics/Questions covered in the show: <ul> <li>Why do I find myself unaware of how I've offended God, even though I know I am a sinner?</li> <li>How can I overcome the lack of awareness of sin?</li> <li>How does meditation differ from contemplation in Catholic tradition?</li> <li>According to St Peter of Alcántara, how does spiritual reading fit into the "way of meditation"?</li> <li>What should you do when you feel your heart moved during spiritual reading?</li> <li>What is meant by the "proper disposition" for prayer or meditation?</li> <li>Why does our disposition for prayer matter?</li> </ul> Resources: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com" target="_blank">SpiritualDirection.com</a> website</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/" target="_blank">EWTN Religious Catalogue</a> - online</li> <li><a href="http://avila-institute.com" target="_blank">Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtn.com/radio/index.asp" target="_blank">EWTN Global Catholic Radio</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__PF.HTM" target="_blank">Catechism of the Catholic Church (Part 1, § 1, Ch 2, Art 1, I)</a> - Vatican website link: God Reveals His Plan of Loving Goodness</li> <li><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/1" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:4-5 </a>- USCCB link: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him."</li> <li>Examination of Conscience - Can be done on: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Avila-Institute-Daily-Examen-Prayer-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">Avila Institute Daily Examen Prayer Guide</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=32321" target="_blank">Capital Sins</a> - Catholic Culture link <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Conscience-Exam-7-Capital-Sins-v1.pdf" target="_blank">Conscience Exam on the 7 Capital Sins</a> - SpiritualDirection.com "Navigating the Interior Life" pdf</li> </ul> </li> <li>The Ten Commandments</li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2015/11/16/what-exactly-are-virtues" target="_blank">Theological Virtues </a>- link to "What Exactly are Virtues?" post on spiritualdirection.com</li> <li><a href="http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10198d.htm" target="_blank">Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy</a> - New Advent link</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://usccb.org/bible/matthew/25/" target="_blank">Matthew 25:41-43</a> - "Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ " - USCCB Bible link</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Confession/HOW+TO+MAKE+A+GOOD+CONFESSION.axd" target="_blank">How to Make a Good Confession</a> - John A. Kane</li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2013/12/19/infused-contemplation-spiritual-dictionary" target="_blank">Infused Contemplation</a> - Definition from the Spiritual Dictionary in the book <a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Spiritual+Reading/NAVIGATING+THE+INTERIOR+LIFE.axd" target="_blank">Navigating the Interior Life - Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God</a> - Daniel Burke with Fr John Bartunek</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Prayer/FINDING+GOD+THROUGH+MEDITATION.axd" target="_blank">Finding God Through Meditation</a> - St Peter of Alcántara, edited by Dan Burke</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Devotional/CONFESSIONS+OF+ST+AUGUSTINE.axd" target="_blank">Confessions of St Augustine</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2013/11/14/disposition-navigating-interior-life-dictionary" target="_blank">Disposition</a> - Definition from the Spiritual Dictionary in the book <a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Spiritual+Reading/NAVIGATING+THE+INTERIOR+LIFE.axd" target="_blank">Navigating the Interior Life - Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God</a> - Daniel Burke with Fr John Bartunek</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Bibles/THE+HOLY+BIBLE+-+KNOX+TRANSLATION.axd" target="_blank">The Holy Bible - Knox Translation</a> - EWTN Religious Catalogue link</li> <li>In Conversation with God: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2015/03/14/in-conversation-with-god" target="_blank">In Conversation with God</a> - Video on spiritual reading and book recommendation on spiritualdirection.com (includes links for purchasing single volumes of the 7 volume set below, if that fits one's budget better)</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Devotional/IN+CONVERSATION+WITH+GOD+7-VOLUME+SET.axd" target="_blank">In Conversation with God</a> - 7 Volume Set of daily meditations by Fr. Francis Fernandez, Opus Dei</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Better-Part-Christ-Centered-Resource-Personal/dp/0991603869/cathospiridir-20" target="_blank">The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer</a> - Fr John Bartunek</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Devotional/DIVINE+INTIMACY.axd" target="_blank">Divine Intimacy</a> - Meditations on the interior life by Fr Gabriel of St Mary Magdalen</li> <li><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/8" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 8:1</a> - "Now in regard to meat sacrificed to idols: we realize that 'all of us have knowledge'; knowledge inflates with pride, but love builds up." (Quote from St Paul about how knowledge puffs up) - USCCB Bible link</li> <li><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a> - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link</li> <li>Questions? Send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:Questions@myavila.com">Questions@myavila.com</a> or call 818-646-7729.</li> </ul>

February 19, 2016 - Questions on Knowing Your Sins and How to Meditate More Effectively

Posture during Mass and preparation for meditation. Why should we use the words of the saints when we are preparing for mental prayer? Dan and Melissa discuss these topics and more as they answer questions from listeners. Topics/Questions covered in the show: <ul> <li>Is posture in prayer important? </li> <li>How does Christian teaching on prayer posture differ from that of Eastern, non-Christian religions?</li> <li>Prayer posture in private prayer versus prayer posture in public, or corporate, prayer.</li> <li>What is the meaning of the Sign of the Cross?</li> <li>What are the Nine Ways of Prayer of St Dominic?</li> <li>What does St Peter of Alcántara say about preparation necessary to prayer?</li> <li>Suggestion: Write down your distractions during prayer.</li> <li>Why should we use the prayers of the Saints in vocal prayer in preparation for prayer? How should we use them?</li> <li>Why do we, men in particular, have difficulty with the romance language of prayer? How can we overcome this?</li> <li>Why Lectio Divina is a good way to begin with mental prayer.</li> </ul> Resources: <ul> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/divine-intimacy-radio" target="_blank">Divine Intimacy Radio</a> on SpiritualDirection.com website</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/" target="_blank">EWTN Religious Catalogue</a> - online</li> <li><a href="http://avila-institute.com" target="_blank">Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2016/01/29/difficulties-in-prayer-and-the-importance-of-posture-in-prayer" target="_blank">Difficulties in Prayer and the Importance of Posture in Prayer</a> - Previous post on SpiritualDirection.com dealing with posture in prayer</li> <li><a href="http://www.discerninghearts.com/?page_id=2140" target="_blank">The Nine Ways of Prayer of St Dominic</a> - Post on DiscerningHearts.com. Taken from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000KXM988/cathospiridir-20" target="_blank">St. Dominic: Biographical Documents</a>, edited by Fr. Francis C. Lehner, O.P. The chapter on “The Nine Ways of Prayer of St. Dominic” was translated by Fr. Andrew Kolzow, O.P.</li> <li><a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/dictionary/index.cfm?id=33114" target="_blank">The Discipline</a> - Catholic Culture Link</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/BOOKS/Prayer/FINDING+GOD+THROUGH+MEDITATION.axd" target="_blank">Finding God Through Meditation</a> - St Peter of Alcántara, edited by Dan Burke <ul> <li>Contains the prayer read by Melissa: "Come, Holy Ghost, send forth from heaven the glittering beams of true light; come, father of the poor; come, giver of rewards; come, light of our hearts, sweet comforter, sweet guest of the soul, sweet refreshing, rest in labor, temperature in heat, in mourning a grateful solace, O blessed light, replenish the hearts of the faithful."</li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="http://divineoffice.org" target="_blank">DivineOffice.org</a> - Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church - online</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Catherine's_Monastery#/media/File:Spas_vsederzhitel_sinay.jpg" target="_blank">Pantocrator</a> icon of Christ on Dan's altar - Wikimedia Commons link to oldest known 6th century icon from St Catherine's Monastery</li> <li><a href="http://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue.com/Home+Page/CRUCIFIXES/Wall+Crucifixes/BYZANTINE+THREE+BAR+CRUCIFIX+-+COLD+CAST+BRONZE.axd" target="_blank">Byzantine Three Bar Crucifix</a> - similar to Dan's (EWTN Religious Catalogue link)</li> <li><a href="http://www.monasteryicons.com/product/our-lady-of-vladimir-icon-922/icons-of-the-virgin-mary" target="_blank">Theotokos of Vladimir Icon (Our Lady of Vladimir)</a> - similar to Dan's - MonasteryIcons link</li> <li><a href="http://www.spiritualdirection.com/2012/04/21/what-is-lectio-divina-and-will-it-help-my-prayer-life-a-guide-to-lectio-divina" target="_blank">Lectio Divina, A Guide: What It Is & How It Helps Prayer Life?</a> - Post on SpiritualDirection.com</li> <li><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Better-Part-Christ-Centered-Resource-Personal/dp/0991603869/cathospiridir-20" target="_blank">The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer</a> - Fr John Bartunek (based on the Ignatian method where one puts oneself in the Scriptural scene and then makes a commitment based on what one has experienced with Christ)</li> <li><a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5" target="_blank">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a> - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - USCCB Bible link</li> <li>Questions? Send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:Questions@myavila.com">Questions@myavila.com</a> or call 818-646-7729.</li> </ul>