Inigo from the moment of his conversion at the age of 21 comes across to us as a man of the heart, whose life-long journey in spirit has been prompted and propelled by the heart. He gave more importance to how human heart was able to put us in close touch with our spirit, than our head can possibly do. He did not disregard the important and vital role rationality played in the life of persons, but he was quite conscious more often it was the heart which could open the gates to God, if one was alert and prompt to the indications of the heart.
It is evident from the journey of Inigo – from Loyola Castle to Rome, to occupy the upper room which became his office – spanning some 40 years, that he was constantly in touch with what was happening to himself, and he tried to take snapshots of his heart constantly, especially the examination of consciousness twice daily. It is not a mental exercise, but a review of the past hours to find the footprints of God in our hearts. Those who fail to recognize God’s footprints are sure to blame him for his absence. Inigo’s heart was constantly raising itself to God, who alone resided at the core of its being, and nourished Inigo all through.
The priority that Inigo gave to the human heart is also evident from the fact that Inigo wanted the exercitants of the Spiritual Exercises to go through contemplations, which would help them to be in touch with their hearts. The fifth prayer hour of each day of the 30 days spiritual experience was devoted to the Application of the Senses, which again made the exercitant to be alert to the movements of his body. He was quite convinced that it was only through the five senses of the body that we could get in touch with the heart.
It was the preponderance with the heart that made Inigo to observe in the Constitutions of the Society of Jesus that it would not be the letter of law, but the spirit of love/charity, which would be the guiding principle. And he did mean by this. No wonder then that Inigo was often moved to tears when he contemplated divine mysteries, or when he participated at the Eucharistic celebrations, or when he gazed at the sky at night. He was animated by the heart, which is traditionally understood as the seat of love and all affective influences.
Inigo felt that it was God who was the master of us all, and who alone should have direct access to our souls. For this reason, he instructed those giving the Spiritual Exercises not to get between God and the exercitant. The modern world is vary of anything to do with the heart, because it holds that heart is prone to errors and therefore more emphasis had been given to reason and objectivity. It is in this light that the importance Inigo gave to the human heart is both important and significant.
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