Remember the analogy from previous posts of prayer as a race? A runner who does not know where the finish line lies is unlikely to win the race. Similarly, a Christian who does not understand the goal of prayer is not likely to attain it. Prayer is meant to draw us into an intimate communion …
This post is a response to a recent discussion in my Facebook group Authentic Contemplative Prayer about silence. What is the place of silence in mental prayer? The answer is too complex for Facebook comments. Let’s try to tackle it here. Silencing distractions Every time we pray, whether vocal or mental prayer, we should gently …
This past Monday, Dan Burke and I appeared live on At Home with Jim and Joy on EWTN. We discussed our book The Contemplative Rosary, what contemplation is, and how you can pray the Rosary better. If you missed the show, please enjoy the replay. We also taped a week’s worth of appearances with Johnette Benkovic on …
In my Facebook Group Authentic Contemplative Prayer some discussions recycle every few weeks. One is whether we need a spiritual director. Another is whether contemplation is necessary for holiness. Misunderstandings on these topics have the same root. They rest on a misunderstanding of norms versus extraordinary workings of grace. St. Therese and spiritual direction For …
What is the relationship between knowledge and contemplation? How much should we concern ourselves with news events? How can we trust God when bad things happen? I have been meditating on all these questions and more lately, and would like to share my musings with you. Growing in knowledge Centering Prayer advocates such as Fr. …
For the Feast of St. John of the Cross, I’d like to look at a common error in counterfeit contemplation such as Centering Prayer. New Age theologies do not see any separation between God and the soul. In fact, to many New Agers, God and the soul are the same thing. This error pops up in …