A bit of a silly problem with contemplative prayer

Hamlet7768 · Aug 26, 2017

I'm posting here because my current attempts at contemplative prayer are centered around the use of the Jesus Prayer (in English, despite my signature), which I understand is fundamental to the Eastern Christian contemplative tradition (both Catholic and Orthodox). I've been attempting to use this prayer more often both during my work and during my weekly Holy Hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I was initially encouraged by an experience a few weeks ago, but I've run into a bit of an embarrassing obstacle since then, specifically in the context of the quiet of Adoration.

I keep dozing off! One moment I'm thinking that I'm starting to feel spiritual stillness, the next moment I'm startling awake because I almost tipped forward in my seat!

Has anyone else had a problem with this when attempting contemplation? What methods have you used to stay awake? Or do I just need to get better sleeping habits?

Lukaris · Aug 27, 2017

I use this prayer more when I am walking and I was influenced by a 19th c. Russian book called: The Way of a Pilgrim. I just want to clarify that I only applied this in a most general sense from this work. The Pilgrim is a good inspirational read but the methods within it are intense involving reciting the prayer thousands of times a day while counting prayer beads. This is something I doubt most of us can do. One would have to speak to a monk about the particular methods.

Hamlet7768 · Aug 27, 2017

A video-blog by then-Father now-Bishop Robert Barron about The Way of the Pilgrim actually got me interested in the Jesus Prayer as a tool of contemplation in the first place. Perhaps I shall try it walking; I've done a walking Rosary before and found it quite edifying.

Lukaris · Aug 27, 2017

Sounds good may you have many blessings.

~Anastasia~ · Aug 27, 2017

If you are in the context of an icon corner (or I don't know what the practice of adoration is like) ... if you cannot walk, try simply standing.

That was my SF's first suggestion in such a case and has proven easy and effective.

When I first started, I would often pray while swimming. What is interesting (I was listening to a priest's teaching last week about this) ... whatever you do while you say the prayer, can have a tendency to put you in the mindset of the prayer whenever you do it again. I have found that to be true as well.

Hamlet7768 · Aug 27, 2017

Well, now I feel silly. I can't very well doze off standing up.

The context of Adoration is pretty straightforward: the Blessed Sacrament, in the form of the Host, is placed in a Monstrance, which is typically shaped like so:

Though the one in our church is more like:

There are candles on the altar, and incense at the beginning and end of the Hour, as well as some prayers and litanies. It varies from time to time, but there is always time left for silent contemplation. Plus, there's a 24-hour Adoration Chapel there, where I have also tried this contemplation.

But either way, I shall try standing next Thursday (when Holy Hour is scheduled), and will report back.

~Anastasia~ · Aug 27, 2017

Hamlet7768 said:
Well, now I feel silly. I can't very well doze off standing up.

The context of Adoration is pretty straightforward: the Blessed Sacrament, in the form of the Host, is placed in a Monstrance, which is typically shaped like so:

View attachment 206348

Though the one in our church is more like:

View attachment 206349

There are candles on the altar, and incense at the beginning and end of the Hour, as well as some prayers and litanies. It varies from time to time, but there is always time left for silent contemplation. Plus, there's a 24-hour Adoration Chapel there, where I have also tried this contemplation.

But either way, I shall try standing next Thursday (when Holy Hour is scheduled), and will report back.

Hope it works well for you. If it's silly, at least you're not the only one. I had to be told too.

Catherineanne · Aug 27, 2017

Hamlet7768 said:
I'm posting here because my current attempts at contemplative prayer are centered around the use of the Jesus Prayer (in English, despite my signature), which I understand is fundamental to the Eastern Christian contemplative tradition (both Catholic and Orthodox). I've been attempting to use this prayer more often both during my work and during my weekly Holy Hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I was initially encouraged by an experience a few weeks ago, but I've run into a bit of an embarrassing obstacle since then, specifically in the context of the quiet of Adoration.

I keep dozing off! One moment I'm thinking that I'm starting to feel spiritual stillness, the next moment I'm startling awake because I almost tipped forward in my seat!

Has anyone else had a problem with this when attempting contemplation? What methods have you used to stay awake? Or do I just need to get better sleeping habits?

Well, yes, go to bed earlier, if you can. Otherwise, don't worry about it; your conscience must be in a very good condition.

Catherineanne · Aug 27, 2017

Hamlet7768 said:
Well, now I feel silly. I can't very well doze off standing up.

The context of Adoration is pretty straightforward: the Blessed Sacrament, in the form of the Host, is placed in a Monstrance, which is typically shaped like so:

View attachment 206348

Though the one in our church is more like:

View attachment 206349

There are candles on the altar, and incense at the beginning and end of the Hour, as well as some prayers and litanies. It varies from time to time, but there is always time left for silent contemplation. Plus, there's a 24-hour Adoration Chapel there, where I have also tried this contemplation.

But either way, I shall try standing next Thursday (when Holy Hour is scheduled), and will report back.

That is certainly worth a try, but I would look at getting more sleep as well.

ArmyMatt · Aug 27, 2017

being a military fellow, the Prayer also is nice when going on a run or doing push ups as well

JIMINZ · Aug 27, 2017

.........

Anhelyna · Aug 28, 2017

I'm very fond of using it with my lestovka during my UGCC Priest's sermons - which are normally in Ukrainian which I don't speak . I can totally lose myself in the prayer but having the steps of the lestovkm 'running' between my thumb and forefinger keeps me focused.

At other times I'll use either my lestovka or chotki [ with wooden beads] so I can't drift off as the touch keeps me focused. Because of nerve damage I can't feel the woollen knots on the traditional greek prayer rope

mark46 · Aug 30, 2017

Hamlet7768 said:
A video-blog by then-Father now-Bishop Robert Barron about The Way of the Pilgrim actually got me interested in the Jesus Prayer as a tool of contemplation in the first place. Perhaps I shall try it walking; I've done a walking Rosary before and found it quite edifying.

I like reciting the Jesus Prayer while walking. I don't count or use beads.

mark46 · Aug 30, 2017

See below for an answer to your question.
| Contemplative Outreach Ltd.

As someone else posted, and as Father Keating has said, if you fall asleep prayer, you probably need more rest.

Hamlet7768 said:
I'm posting here because my current attempts at contemplative prayer are centered around the use of the Jesus Prayer (in English, despite my signature), which I understand is fundamental to the Eastern Christian contemplative tradition (both Catholic and Orthodox). I've been attempting to use this prayer more often both during my work and during my weekly Holy Hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. I was initially encouraged by an experience a few weeks ago, but I've run into a bit of an embarrassing obstacle since then, specifically in the context of the quiet of Adoration.

I keep dozing off! One moment I'm thinking that I'm starting to feel spiritual stillness, the next moment I'm startling awake because I almost tipped forward in my seat!

Has anyone else had a problem with this when attempting contemplation? What methods have you used to stay awake? Or do I just need to get better sleeping habits?

A bit of a silly problem with contemplative prayer

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