Sailing, I discovered, is about detecting the source of the wind, then making adjustments to harness that wind to move the boat forward. This is a perfect analogy for using discernment of spirits to progress in the spiritual life. We pay attention to learn the source of this particular movement, then we make spiritual adjustments to harness this movement (whether it be consolation or desolation) in order to move forward in the spiritual life. It is only when there is no wind at all that we cannot move forward.
