INTRODUCTION
1. Jesus is a model for us of personal discernment. Identify some specific ways in which Jesus used personal discernment.
WISDOM IN THE HEART: PERSONAL DISCERNMENT
2. How do you become aware of your personal center? How do you recognize and respond to the needs of your center?
3. How do the four elements of discernment weave together in your life? Which is the weakest? Which the strongest?
WISDOM: HEART-TO-HEART RELATIONSHIPS
4. How would you describe your heart-to-heart relationships? To whom do you disclose your thoughts, concerns, desires?
5. What fruits of the Spirit are evident in the way you live the monastic life?
6. To whom do you look as your norm for living the monastic life? Who are the ammas in your life? How do they challenge you to grow?
7. How do you understand and live the narrow way of obedience?
SHARED WISDOM: COMMUNAL DISCERNMENT
8. What storms have you experienced? How did you stay with them and grow from them?
9. How do you receive those blessed with the wisdom of age . . . who carry the traditions in their hearts?
10. What wisdom do the newly-arrived members bring to you and the community?
11. Only as we share our experience of God with each other is discernment possible. How can your community foster this honest sharing?
12. How important is it for you to win in a communal discernment?
DISCERNMENT: THE JOURNEY INTO UNITY
13. How did Scholastica and Benedict each illustrate discernment? What do they teach you about coming to a common understanding in the midst of differences?
14. The voice of the Spirit cries out to be heard in the voices of women. What is the voice of the Spirit saying through the women with whom you live? What is the voice of the Spirit trying to say through your voice?
Upon This Tradition Homepage
With a Listening Heart Prologue
With a Listening Heart Document
With a Listening Heart Update
©Conference of American Benedictine Prioresses, 2001-2002