Osha interviews Colette Lafia,   " Born of love is hope. Now, as we are called to integrate so much paradox and pain, we need love to help heal, strengthen, and restore ourselves.” 

In her new book, The Divine Heart, Colette Lafia takes us on a journey moving beyond relating to God as a belief system and into the experience of trusting one’s own spiritual intuition and experiences. She developed seven spiritual practices, “invitations” that can lead us into the healing energy of love. 

Renewal and rebirth are possible, says spiritual counselor and international retreat leader Colette Lafia who mourned the loss of her father-in-law and brother at the same time many others also dealt with the loss of loved ones due to the pandemic.

Reaffirming an April 2020 Pew Research Center study that reported that one-quarter of U.S. adults (24%) say their faith has become stronger because of the pandemic, Colette used her experience and insight to come to the conclusion that we can use our suffering to connect ourselves more fully to love. 

We all face roadblocks in our lives and Colette’s outlook is that instead of barriers to happiness, these are opportunities to find spiritual rebirth, love, and more meaning. Instead of closing off our hearts,  these challenges can guide us to a better future if we can invite the flow of divine love to fill our lives. 
“Love is the most generous and healing energy we experience as human beings. 
Being anchored in the home and heart of love, we can find a way to move forward with hope.”

About Colette Lafia
Colette Lafia is a San Francisco based writer, blogger, spiritual director, workshop and retreat facilitator, and part-time school librarian. 

An adjunct faculty member at Mercy Center Burlingame, where she also earned two certificates in spiritual direction, she leads both in person and online retreats.

She also leads prayer at the Santa Sabina Center, a ministry of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael. She offers retreats at Saint Agnes Spiritual Life Center and has led spiritual and self-care workshops for many organizations and groups, including the Archdioceses of San Francisco, the Institute for Health and Healing, and the San Francisco Unified School District. 

Colette regularly gives talks and leads prayer days, comfort circles, and retreats on subjects such as Gratitude, Surrender, Delight, The Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Living in Divine Love, Spiritual Art Journaling, Women Mystics, and more.  

Colette has a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and English from San Francisco State University and a Masters of Library Information science degree from San Jose State University. She is also a graduate of the Living School through the Center for Action and Contemplation. 

A member of the board of the Professional Advisory Group for the Clinical Pastoral Care Center and Program, Colette is a contributing member of Spiritual Directors International, and is on the leadership council of Saint Ignatius Church. 

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