Ignatian Consolation and Desolation: Noticing your inner weather

This morning I woke up feeling exhausted after a busy week, but when I noticed the sunshine, my mood completely shifted and I was eager to get started with my day. I’m delighted to notice signs of spring all around me, and I’m aware of how much easier life can feel when there is light and new life. 

At the same time, even when the weather is positive, there can certainly be times when I find myself feeling unsettled, disconnected and scattered. Equally, I can find myself feeling calm and at peace in cold, grey, wintry weather. I’m aware that the outer weather doesn’t always dictate my inner weather!

Ignatian Consolation and Desolation

In the Ignatian tradition, which some spiritual directors and directees use in their practice, these different inner states are named as consolation and desolation.

Consolation isn’t about feeling happy or positive. It could be more linked to a sense of being fully present – a feeling of being more connected to God, to ourselves, and to what is happening around us. It might come with a sense of joy and lightness, but it could even include a feeling of sadness or challenge. The key thing is that beneath the surface feelings, we have a sense of being gathered rather than scattered, and able to be with life just as it is right now. 

Desolation, however, is often experienced as a sense of closing in, with limited space. We can feel it is difficult to find hope, meaning and energy. We may have a sense of being numb, restless, overwhelmed or cut off – from ourselves, others and God. Like the weather, this isn’t something we choose or control, and it’s not a sign of failure. Sometimes this is how things feel, and it can be helpful to name this rather than ignoring it. 

Noticing in Nature: A practice for today

Spending time outdoors doesn’t automatically bring consolation or remove desolation, but it can be a wonderful tool to help us notice where we are and break out of our mental loops; in desolation, it can sometimes be hard to put things into words and be present with what is going on inside us. Nature can help us to simply be present without needing to fix or resolve what we find.  

If you’re able to, try this brief exercise sometime today. Step outside for a few minutes where you are – and it doesn’t need to be a quiet or beautiful place. 

Begin by noticing what’s around you: the light, the air, the sounds, the people or animals who are sharing the space with you. 

Then gently notice what is happening in your body. Be aware of:

• your breath – is it shallow or deep, tight or free?

• Your shoulders, jaw and neck – can you feel a tension that you can gently relax? How does it feel to do this?

• Your chest or stomach – what do you feel there? Is there tension, softness, fear or anxiety, or a sense of peace?

• When you stand still, does this feel comfortable, or do you want to move on quickly?

Without thinking too hard about this, does this moment feel more like consolation or desolation? Take a moment to simply be present with what you are noticing. 

Recognising resistance and being with what is

It’s helpful to notice if you feel a sense of resistance to the state you identified – an automatic movement towards ‘How do I get out of this quickly’ or ‘I don’t want to notice this’. Staying with this takes courage and practice. As we begin to trust that everything belongs, being present with what is can help us to relax, and recognise that we can be with ourselves right where we are. 

If we realise we’re in desolation, the invitation is rarely to push for clarity, motivation, or change. More often, the invitation is to be gentle with ourselves, to simplify where we can, to stay connected, and to avoid making big decisions until the inner weather begins to shift.

When we notice consolation, it can be a time to be grateful for this gift and to notice what is supporting life and connection, and to be able to keep these moments to remember in challenging times.  

Everything belongs: An invitation to Spiritual Direction

This approach is based on an underlying recognition that everything belongs – there’s nothing that needs to be excluded from our relationship with God. 

Learning to notice these inner movements, and to practice staying with them rather than rushing to resolve or escape them, is something that is often easier when shared with someone else. Spiritual direction offers a space where the whole of life, all weathers and seasons of consolation or desolation, can be brought into an ongoing conversation.