We often mistake uniformity for unity, attempting to force our spiritual progress into a standardized "method of procedure." St. John of the Cross warns that this is a form of spiritual tyranny. Whether it comes from an overbearing director, a rigid community, or our own prideful ego, the attempt to "hew the wood" of the soul without respecting God’s unique artistry leads to a "restriction of the breath of God." This episode examines the surgery required to remove the ego's possessiveness, making room for a Holy Spirit that refuses to be localized by our limitations.

• The Tyranny of Procedure: Why treating the spiritual life as a standardized assembly line deprives the soul of its necessary freedom.
• The Wood, the Polish, and the Paint: Understanding the diverse roles people play in our formation ...