Father Timothy Gallagher's The Discernment of Spirits

An introduction to St. Ignatius of Loyola's Rules for Discernment and why they still matter today.

Sometimes you encounter books that change the way you see your own spiritual life. For me, Father Timothy Gallagher's books, and especially The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living, belong firmly in this category.

As a PhD researcher studying spiritual resilience, Catholic theology, and Ignatian spirituality, I recently reread this excellent book and wanted to share some of the insights that stood out to me as a practical guide to recognizing God's presence amid the ordinary struggles of daily life.

What is discernment of spirits?

One of the earliest Christian thinkers, Origen, taught that the thoughts passing through our minds may have different origins. Some may come from God, some from our own natural reasoning, and others may lead us away from God.

Building on this ancient Christian wisdom, St. Ignatius of Loyola developed what he called the discernment of spirits. Discernment is the process of learning to recognize the various spiritual movements within our hearts, understanding where they come from, and responding faithfully.

Ignatius invites us to ask ask ourselves these questions as frequent as possible:

• What kind of thoughts and feelings am I experiencing this moment?

• Do they draw me closer to God or farther away?

• What grace do I need from God in order to respond faithfully?

  
  

Discernment, therefore, is not simply about making important life decisions. It is about learning to recognize God's presence in our everyday experience.

Test everything; retain what is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21, NABRE)

Why discernment matters today

We live in a culture that makes interior awareness increasingly difficult. Our days are filled with notifications, constant information, entertainment, and endless opportunities to avoid silence. Even moments that were once naturally quiet are now quickly occupied by our phones or other distractions. Ignatian spirituality gently calls us back to an attentive interior life. Without awareness of what is happening within us, discernment becomes almost impossible.

Father Gallagher also distinguishes between different kinds of interior awareness. We experience psychological movements, moral movements, and spiritual movements. These often overlap, but they are not identical. Learning to distinguish among them is one of the important skills that Ignatian spirituality develops over time.

The three movements of discernment

One of the most helpful insights I gained from the book is that discernment can be understood as a simple three-step process.

1. Become aware (The first step is simply noticing. What is happening inside me?

Am I experiencing peace or anxiety? Hope or discouragement? Attraction toward prayer or resistance? These interior movements often pass unnoticed unless we intentionally pay attention.)

2. Understand (Awareness alone is not enough. Ignatius encourages us to prayerfully reflect on these experiences. Which movements lead toward greater faith, hope, and love? Which ones lead toward fear, discouragement, isolation, or despair? Discernment requires patient reflection rather than immediate reaction.)

3. Take action (Discernment is never merely theoretical. Once we recognize what leads us toward God, we are invited to embrace it. Likewise, when we recognize movements that pull us away from God, we are called to resist them. Everything in Ignatian discernment ultimately points toward faithful action.)

A brief overview of the Fourteen Rules

Although each rule deserves careful study (preferrably in a retreat setting with a spiritual director), here is the overall picture in brief.

Rules 1–2: Recognize where you are spiritually

Ignatius explains that spiritual temptations often look very different depending on whether a person is moving towards God or away from Him.

Those turning away from God are often drawn by apparent earthly pleasures, while the good spirit causes dissatisfaction to stop these activities. In contrast, those moving towards God may face discouragement, confusion, and obstacles from the enemy, while the good spirit provides courage, peace, and strength to continue growing towards God.

Rules 3–4: Learn the language of consolation and desolation

Perhaps the heart of Ignatian spirituality lies in understanding these two realities.

Spiritual consolation is much more than simply feeling happy. It is an interior movement that deepens faith, hope, and love, drawing the soul toward God.

Spiritual desolation is the opposite. It may involve darkness, discouragement, loss of confidence, spiritual dryness, or a sense of distance from God.

An important lesson for me was that not every difficult emotion is spiritual desolation. Physical exhaustion, illness, grief, depression, or psychological stress also affect our emotional life, but they do not necessarily indicate spiritual desolation. Over time, however, prolonged physical exhaustion, chronic pain, or psychological distress may create fertile ground for spiritual desolation to take hold. Ignatian discernment invites us to carefully analyze our experiences rather than treating them as identical.

Rules 5–9: How to respond during desolation

These rules were among the most practical in the entire book. Ignatius advises us never to make major spiritual decisions while experiencing spiritual desolation. Instead, he encourages perseverance. Rather than withdrawing from prayer, we are invited to deepen it. Rather than believing discouraging thoughts, we are invited to remember God's faithfulness. Rather than assuming God has abandoned us, we are reminded that His grace remains present even when His presence feels hidden.

Gallagher repeatedly emphasizes that desolation is not meaningless. Although God does not desire our suffering, He may permit periods of spiritual struggle through which we grow in trust, humility, perseverance, and dependence upon His grace.

For anyone experiencing spiritual darkness, what the Lord told St. Paul remains deeply encouraging:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Rules 10–11: Prepare for future struggles

Periods of spiritual consolation are not simply rewards to enjoy. They are opportunities to prepare for future trials.

When prayer feels alive, when faith is strong, and when God's presence is deeply experienced, these moments become spiritual resources that sustain us later.

Ignatius recommends balance. Consolation calls for humility. Desolation calls for confidence in God. Neither should lead us toward pride or despair.

Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

Rules 12–14: Know how temptation works

The final rules describe several recurring patterns in spiritual temptation.

Temptation is usually easiest to resist when it first appears.

Isolation often strengthens discouragement, while honest conversation with a wise and trustworthy spiritual guide weakens its power.

Finally, each person has particular vulnerabilities. Ignatius encourages us to know our weakest points honestly so that we can strengthen them before they become occasions for temptation. (He reminds this old knowledge: Know Thyself!)

These final rules reveal something profoundly hopeful: the enemy is not all-powerful. Awareness, prayer, and God's grace remain stronger.

My biggest takeaways

Several ideas stayed with me long after studying Father Gallagher's book.

The rule that has influenced me most is Rule 5. Ignatius teaches that in times of desolation we must not make any changes to our previous resolutions or spiritual practices. This is crucial. When we feel discouraged, confused, or distant from God, that is precisely the worst time to make major life decisions or abandon the habits that once sustained us. Instead, we are called to remain firm. Not only should we continue our spiritual practices, but we should intensify them. Prayer, meditation, examination of conscience, and acts of devotion become our way of resisting the discouragement of the enemy.

Ignatius reminds us that desolation will pass, and our task is to stand steady until it does. If I had understood this rule earlier, I would have saved myself a great deal of unnecessary struggle.

Another important insight is how to use times of consolation wisely. Consolation is not just something to enjoy; it is a time to prepare. During these periods, we can build a spiritual “toolbox” that will help us when desolation returns. This includes learning how to contemplate Scripture more deeply, practicing imaginative prayer such as sitting and speaking with the Lord, persevering in praying the Rosary, and establishing habits like daily prayer, journaling, and the Examen.

When desolation comes again, we are not starting from nothing, but we already have the tools we need to remain faithful and continue moving toward God.

I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me. (Philippians 4:13)

Why I recommend this book

Father Gallagher has the remarkable ability to explain centuries-old Ignatian wisdom in language that feels practical and approachable. His many pastoral examples make the Rules for Discernment come alive and demonstrate that they are just as relevant today as they were in the sixteenth century.

For me personally, it has also become an important companion in my doctoral research. One of the central questions of my research is how Ignatian discernment can help people facing physical suffering and prolonged spiritual struggle caused by illness or physical limitations to develop greater spiritual resilience. Gallagher's work strengthens my conviction that these ancient spiritual principles still have much to offer contemporary pastoral care.

Continue Your Journey

Discernment is a lifelong practice of learning to recognize God's voice amid the many movements of our hearts. Like any spiritual discipline, it grows through prayer, reflection, and faithful practice.

To help you begin, I have created a free Discernment Tracker that you can download and use in your daily prayer. It is designed to help you notice moments of spiritual consolation and desolation, reflect on the movements of your heart, and gradually develop the habit of Ignatian discernment.

You can download your free copy here:

Free Discernment Tracker

I hope this simple resource encourages you to slow down, become more attentive to God's presence, and grow in faith, hope, and love as you walk with Christ each day.

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