How can I have a personal relationship with Jesus?

Fr. James Martin, S.J., welcomes Susan Stabile, a spiritual director and retreat leader in the Ignatian tradition, onto “The Spiritual Life” podcast. Susan was raised Catholic but spent 20 years practicing Buddhism (and was ordained a Tibetan Buddhist nun) before returning to the faith. She now serves as distinguished senior fellow at the University of St. Thomas, as well as adjunct instructor in Theology at St. Catherine’s University, where she is co-director of a contemplative practices initiative. Susan is the author of Growing in Love and Wisdom: Tibetan Buddhist Sources for Christian Meditation and offers retreats, spiritual direction and adult faith formation programs nationally. Together, Susan and Fr. Jim discuss: Her journey through Buddhism and back home to Catholicism Having a personal relationship with Jesus Spiritual direction as part of her return to the Church Timecodes: 0:00 The difference between ‘talking about’ and ‘talking to’ Jesus 08:09 The pivotal experience in Susan’s spiritual life 17:28 What does a personal relationship with Jesus mean? 19:17 Engaging the senses in Ignatian contemplation 22:56 What Bible commentaries can do for our faith 30:50 How do I know this isn’t just in my head? 36:45 What happens in spiritual direction? 42:39 Key qualities in a good spiritual director 45:16 Overcoming spiritual hurdles 54:17 Audience Question: How do I discern whether an experience is coming from God or my ego? Growing in Love and Wisdom: Tibetan Buddhist Sources for Christian Meditation: https://global.oup.com/academic/produ... Maggi and Fr. Jim’s spiritual reflection article: https://www.americamagazine.org/podca... Spiritual Directors International website: https://www.sdicompanions.org/ Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at:  thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe