Contemplative Prayer Many a book has been written on prayer and through the centuries prayer has been described in numerous ways. Today we can speak of diverse types of prayer, for the prayer is not one univocal reality. In its most common usage prayer has to do with conversing with “God.” Implied in this is a notion that God is relational and one is in a relationship with or to God. This is usually referred to as discursive prayer and it has many forms, from simple informal conversing (inner talking with one’s image of “God”, to petitionary or prayer of supplication, where in one asks “God” to intercede on one’s behalf or on the behalf of another. (Perhaps prayer of supplication is most common). There is also the recitation of prayers that have been written by others and there is no dearth of books to be found offering such. Discursive prayer can also be quite intimate, not unlike the discourse between to lovers on a moonlit night, on speaks to “God” of one’s love for God in deeply personal ways and one often feels an emotional connection with “God”, as if God were one’s lover. There is also a more formalized public form of discursive prayer from the liturgy of Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant communities to the less formal song and prayer of the Evangelical traditions. In some groups other forms of Charismatic prayer in the Spirit accompanied by prayer and singing in tongues prevails. Without getting into the theology of the Trinity, I will mention that for Christians prayer may be directed toward any person of the Trinity, Father, Son or Spirit. (Much more is needed to clarify the Trinitarian dimension; however, it is beyond the scope of this brief paper). All of that said, our purpose is to speak to another form of prayer that is not so commonly known about, though it goes back to the earliest days of the Christian tradition and has had periods of great flowering among Religious and laity alike, this is the prayer of quiet or commonly called contemplative prayer. And, as with discursive prayer, there are many methods. We will present a simple blending of some of the common elements and most essential elements of the practice. Some refer to this as meditation. In the spectrum of prayer this represents the deepest or highest (either metaphor works) mode of prayer. Here the emphasis is on quiet inward communion with God in the silence of the heart. This prayer is based on a different image of “God” than that found in discursive prayer. In the latter “God” is seen as other and separate from the self. In the former “God” is experienced dwelling within the self and within all created beings. “God” has no language, or, as some authors would postulate, “God’s” first language is silence. So this form of prayer requires the development of the gift of inner quieting of the mind so that one might descend into the deeper Kingdom of the Heart, where God dwells. There are three fundamental centers of consciousness in the person: 1) the head center or mind; 2) the heart centre or higher emotions; 3) the gut center or the lower emotions and instincts. This method of contemplative prayer is centered in the Kingdom of the Heart. While “God” is everywhere, human encounter with God is, in this model, thought to take place in the deep regions of the heart, by way of a quieting of the mind. We have a very simple definition of prayer: Prayer is allowing “God” to love you just as you are right where you are. We realize every attribute applied to “God” is analogous and transcends what it means for us. This is developed on the belief and teaching that “God” is Love. Too often in prayer we want to be the actor, talking, petitioning, and speaking our love for God. Here, one must be still and quiet in mind and body and open one’s heart to allow God to be God. A parent cannot hold and cuddle with love a fidgety infant. But when the baby is at rest, eyes closed the parent holds the child with love and communicates that love by means of quiet holding and tender kisses of mercy. In this prayer one must become quiet as the child asleep in its parents arms and passively receive the gift of “God’s” presence as it wakes in the heart where it has long been waiting to reveal itself. Here is a simple method. With beads in hand, hold a bead and breath in a natural relaxed breath through the nose to the diaphragm with one quiet word on the breath, “calm.” Allow the body and mind to feel calm as you follow the natural breath to where it turns around and exhale “quiet,” feeling quiet in mind and body. Calm on the in breath, quiet on the out breath feeling calm and quiet. When thoughts and daydreams and other distractions enter the mind, return to “calm” on the in breath and “quiet” on the out breath relaxing into each breath out. Place the tip of the tongue between the upper front teeth and the roof of the mouth lightly. Allow a very slight smile on the lips by relaxing the muscles around the mouth, as you do so you will feel lighter. Allow yourself to just follow the breath with your consciousness a few times without the words. Place the mind in the heart with the intention of opening the heart to feel the presence of the living God within. Allow God to guide you deeper within yourself as you breath in and out. After each breath, move your fingers to the next bead. As you start to question yourself of feel self conscious, breath in calm and breath out quiet becoming calm, quiet and at peace. If you wish you may breath in the name Jesus on the in breath and breath out Jesus on the out breath relaxing deeply into the Christ nature which is within you and becoming one with Jesus and His father in union born of love, a union that is always there, has always been there and will always be. For the Kingdom of Heaven is within you and that means we are present to Eternity right now in each breath. .. Do the above until you have gone through all of the beads with one complete breath. If you feel like continuing stay, if not, slowly open your eyes and bow to God in your heart and promise to return. So much more must be said, however, our time is up. God is the greatest teacher of all when it comes to prayer. Though books help. I recommend Thomas Keating and Thich Nhat Hanh. Be in peace.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 21:12:43 +0000
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