The Spirit of Insulation

THE SPIRIT OF INSULATION

One of the principal charisms of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and the Society of Jesus which he founded is his contribution to the theology of the discernment of spirits.

Father Avery Cardinal Dulles, S.J. in America (January 15, 2007) defines “charism” this way:

“A charism is a gift of grace, conferred not for one’s personal sanctification but for the benefit of others. St. Paul has a famous list of charisms in the 12th chapter of the First Letter to the Corinthians. They include the gifts of prophecy, speech, miracle-working and the interpretation of tongues.”

He asks:

“If these are charisms bestowed on some members of the church, what charisms, if any, are given to St. Ignatius of Loyola? Who are the beneficiaries? Are these charisms still bestowed today? And if so, who are the recipients?”

He identifies “discernment” as one of ten charisms specific to the spirit of Saint Ignatius:

“Ignatius was a master of the practical life and the art of decision-making. He distinguished carefully between ends and means, choosing the means best suited to achieve the end in view. In the use of means he consistently applied the principle: ‘tantum...quantum,’ meaning ‘as much as helps,’ but not more. In this connection he teaches the discipline of indifference in the sense of detachment from anything that is not to be sought for its own sake.”

See: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2007/01/15/what-distinguishes-jesuits

It is not my task to deal with the Ignatian tradition of discernment in depth. After all, entire books have been written about it.

On this subject it would be sufficient for me to highlight the Ignatian concepts of “consolation” and “desolation.” A concise, accurate explanation of the two terms is given by this Ignatian spirituality website:

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A person dwells in a state of consolation when she or he is moving toward God’s active presence in the world. We know we are moving in this way when we sense the growth of love or faith or mercy or hope—or any qualities we know as gifts of the Holy Spirit. If I am becoming more kind with people, and I experience this movement as life-giving and Christlike, I am in a state of consolation.

Consolation can hold many emotions and experiences. Consolation does not mean that I feel constantly happy or at peace. In fact, sometimes when I am doing precisely what God is leading me to do, I might feel negative pressure from others, or I might find the experience a challenge because I’m growing and learning. Yet if I sense in my spirit that I’m going the right way, this spiritual reality consoles me whether the day is bumpy or smooth.

A person dwells in a state of desolation when she or he is moving away from God’s active presence in the world. We know we are moving in this way when we sense the growth of resentment, ingratitude, selfishness, doubt, fear, and so on. If my outlook becomes increasingly gloomy and self-obsessed, I am in a state of desolation. I am resisting God or, if not actively resisting, I am being led away from God by other influences.

Desolation also holds many emotions and experiences. If I’m in desolation, I might try to alleviate the discomfort by drinking too much or seeking distraction through more work or social events. The food and drink and activity might feel quite good, but they are not leading me to greater joy, peace, and love. In fact, “false” consolations can help me avoid the true consolation of God’s presence.

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See: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/consolation-and-desolation-2/

—Vinita Hampton Wright, “Consolation and Desolation,” IgnatianSpirituality.com

Basically, consolation is interior movement toward God, while desolation is the opposite, interior movement away from God.

False consolation is dangerous in the spiritual life because it is used by the devil masquerading as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) to lead us away from God.

Some Christian pastors speak of the “spirit of insulation,” for example:

“Jesus constantly demonstrated that he was in and for the world, but not of it. He vividly and definitively painted for his disciples—past, present and future—a picture of what effective witness to God’s saving grace really looks like.

“…He lived a life of insulation, never of isolation. His protection and strength resided, not in separating himself from the culture and society of which he was a part, but in the inner strength afforded him by the confidence of his Father’s commission and the enablement of the Holy Spirit.”

See: http://www.jeffkclarke.com/isolation-or-insulation-christian-wintess-revisited/

—“Isolation or Insulation? Christian Witness Re-Visited,” Jeff K. Clarke: Jesus (Re)Centered

“…Sometimes I find as a pastor I just can’t get alone, but I can have an attitude of insulation and I can be silent even in the middle of a traffic jam. My prayer can overcome the interruptions when I put myself in an attitude of insulation.

“Insulation helps you overcome distraction and ensure spiritual connection! Because there is no manifestation of God’s power without a spiritual connection!”

See: http://www.powertalk.com.ng/2017/11/27/principles-from-prayer-life-of-jesus-principle-of-insulation/

—Peter Adeshina Babalola, “Principle of Insulation,” POWERTALK (November 27, 2017)

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During this lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic, when we were confined to the house during the hottest season of the year, we experienced the spirits of desolation, insulation, and consolation.

In the oppressive heat, we were assaulted by the spirit of desolation, teetering at the edge of despair. Fortunately, we switched on our air conditioner, quickly finding solace in the spirit of insulation. Soon afterward, we were uplifted by the spirit of consolation, giving thanks to God.

Truly, air conditioners may have been invented by humanity but they are ultimately a gift from God.