What a 16th-Century Mystic Can Teach Us About Making Good Decisions - 1 views
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Among the many decision-making methods for life’s big decisions, one that stands out is from an early 16th-century soldier-turned-mystic, St. Ignatius of Loyola.
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Ignatius uses the language of faith, but, I believe, anyone can apply his method to make more informed decisions.
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Ignatius advises creating a list, but also takes it a step further by urging people to listen to their feelings as they consider the pros and cons for each option.
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he asks individuals to consider: Do some pros or cons stand out because they bring you a sense of peace, joy or hope? Or feelings of dread, anxiety or despair?
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He advises probing the origin of the feelings to find out if they come, for example, from desires for power or greed, fear of what others may think, a desire to do good or to be selfless.
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Ignatius also advises that individuals share their deliberations with a confidant, advice that he followed when making his own decisions.
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Ignatius advises individuals to act on reason, feeling confident that they have invested their time and energy to make a good choice.
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How can non-religious people use this advice? I argue they can consider how their decisions will affect the vulnerable, the poorest and the most marginalized
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The emotions they feel following a decision, such as peace, freedom, joy, love or compassion, might give an indication if it is the right choice.
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In today’s hurried world, a 16th-century Catholic mystics’ advice may seem quaint or his process tedious. However, many modern psychological approaches confirm the value of such reflective practices.
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Imaginative reflections like these offer clarity to decision-making by providing another perspective to the decision at hand.