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An Ignatian “ Kobyashi Maru ”. Ignatian Indifference And The No-win Scenario . This Presentation . . . Is meant to spark a conversation. Is meant to raise questions for personal reflection. Is meant to be informative on a topic that is often misunderstood.
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An Ignatian “KobyashiMaru” Ignatian Indifference And The No-win Scenario
This Presentation . . . • Is meant to spark a conversation. • Is meant to raise questions for personal reflection. • Is meant to be informative on a topic that is often misunderstood. • Is meant to provide resources for those who want to explore further. • Really has nothing to do with Star Trek.
Questions to Consider • What do we mean by “Ignatian indifference?” • What do we mean by “Ignatian discernment?” • How can our decision making be guided by the Ignatian principle of indifference? • When the decision maker is faced with what is perceived to be a “no-win” scenario, can there be indifference?
KobyashiMaru ? • KobyashiMaru test • KobyashiMaru Debrief
Ignatian Indifference • Indifference in the Ignatian sense is not apathy, or “not caring” • For St. Ignatius, indifference meant freedom • Approach the world with fresh eyes • Take a step back and detach oneself from bias • Ignatian indifference is filled with passion • A Passion to discern God’s will
Ignatian Discernment • *The art of appreciating the gifts that God has given us. • Discovering how we might best respond to that love in daily life. • A useful process for decision making, that involves reflection and prayer. * Londsdale, David (2000) “Eyes to See, Ears to Hear” P. 91, New York, Orbis Books
A step by step decision making process* • Identify the decision or issue to be resolved • Examine the values and concerns involved • Exercise Indifference • Take time to pray and listen to where God is calling you • Make the decision • Discuss the decision with someone you trust • Dialogue with those who will be affected by the decision • Live out the decision with courage, hope and trust *Au, Wilke and Cannon Au, Noreen (2006) “The Discerning Heart: Exploring the Christian Path,” pp. 60-65, PaulistPress
A presumption . . . • Ignatian Discernment presumes a choice for a “good.” • What happens if we cannot see a “good” outcome in any of the choices before us?
Small Group “Scenario” Discussion • Divide into small groups • Examine the scenarios distributed • How would you approach the problem using Ignatian Indifference and Discernment? • Did you discern a positive outcome to the scenario you chose?
The Myth of the No-Win • If there is true discernment that includes prayer and indifference you probably won’t have a “no-win” situation • Perhaps there is a need to redefine the problem or the need to redefine what a “win” is in the scenario. • Choices made in good faith and prayer serve God’s will. • That is the definition of a “win.”
A final thought “God’s will is that we should exercise our freedom responsibly and well by choosing what honestly seems the best course of action in a given set of circumstances, using all the relevant aids we have been given for that purpose. There is a sense in which we create, in terms of concrete action in given circumstances, the will of God in this exercise of freedom.” -David Lonsdale
A Few Sources on Indifference and Discernment • Au, Wilke and Cannon Au, Noreen (2006) “The Discerning Heart: Exploring the Christian Path,” New York, Paulist Press • Kreeft, Peter “Discernment” www.peterkreeft.com/topics/discernment.htm • Londsdale, David (2000) “Eyes to See, Ears to Hear” New York, Orbis Books • Traub, S.J., George (2008) “An Ignatian Spirituality Reader” Chicago, Loyola Press • Thibodeaux, S.J., Mark (2010) “God’s Voice Within” Chicago, Loyola Press