On Desire as Narrative: The Centrality of Desire in the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

The spiritual exercises are often attributed to Ignatius of Loyola. Many say he has a patent on the method of the spiritual exercises. However, the spiritual exercises are as ancient as philosophy and have many methods. From Socrates to Ignatius of Loyola there are, of course, centuries of history that allow us to choose a synthesis. Likewise, the Christian tradition itself has gradually prepared for the appearance of the figure of St. Ignatius. In current studies of the Spiritual Exercises, it is necessary to pause to confront the book of the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola with a possible Cartesian interpretation. Contrasting Ignatius' and Descartes' viewpoints will not only shed light on what is unique to the method of Ignatian Spiritual Exercises but will also provide a deeper understanding of the practice and approach to the exercises by underlining the connection between desire and narrative. This study is based on the method of Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. Leaving aside the aspect of moral reform implicit in the Exercises of this type, this approach is spiritual, that is, the research pursues the person in his or her ultimate concern.