Contemplatives

[Tomoz]

Hi everyone, I posted this over in my home forum but I thought I'd bung it in here as well seeing as when it comes to the christian mystic tradition you guys have seriously cornered the market!
I was just wondering if any of you practice meditation/contemplation, and what practices/techniques you use.
Thanks everyone!

 

[Rising_Suns]

Hi everyone, I posted this over in my home forum but I thought I'd bung it in here as well seeing as when it comes to the christian mystic tradition you guys have seriously cornered the market!
I was just wondering if any of you practice meditation/contemplation, and what practices/techniques you use.
Thanks everyone!

Tomoz,
The most powerfull meditation on earth is meditating on the life and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, which is contained in the Holy Rosary. This is a prayer for the beginner and the spiritually advance alike.

Also, I would look into reading some books by some of the more mystical Saints, such as St. Faustina, through whome gave us the Divine Mercy Novena (another powerfull prayer), or St. John of the Cross. For someone such as yourself, I would also STRONGLY recommend "Abandonment to Divine Providence", by Jean Pierre De Caussade (sp?). This book is a gem of spiritual insight, and what makes it so great is that it is very easy to read; perfect for anyone who is beginning to learn christian mysticism.

Blessings,

-Davide

 

[Knowledge3]

Contemplation is the intellectual search for meaning and purpose

 

[WarriorAngel]

Tomoz,
The most powerfull meditation on earth is meditating on the life and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, which is contained in the Holy Rosary. This is a prayer for the beginner and the spiritually advance alike.

Also, I would look into reading some books by some of the more mystical Saints, such as St. Faustina, through whome gave us the Divine Mercy Novena (another powerfull prayer), or St. John of the Cross. For someone such as yourself, I would also STRONGLY recommend "Abandonment to Divine Providence", by Jean Pierre De Caussade (sp?). This book is a gem of spiritual insight, and what makes it so great is that it is very easy to read; perfect for anyone who is beginning to learn christian mysticism.

Blessings,

-Davide

What he said.

 

[Seek Ye First]

Tomoz,
The most powerfull meditation on earth is meditating on the life and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, which is contained in the Holy Rosary. This is a prayer for the beginner and the spiritually advance alike.

Also, I would look into reading some books by some of the more mystical Saints, such as St. Faustina, through whome gave us the Divine Mercy Novena (another powerfull prayer), or St. John of the Cross. For someone such as yourself, I would also STRONGLY recommend "Abandonment to Divine Providence", by Jean Pierre De Caussade (sp?). This book is a gem of spiritual insight, and what makes it so great is that it is very easy to read; perfect for anyone who is beginning to learn christian mysticism.

Blessings,

-Davide

What you said.

 

[Tomoz]

Tomoz,
The most powerfull meditation on earth is meditating on the life and passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and His mother, which is contained in the Holy Rosary. This is a prayer for the beginner and the spiritually advance alike.

Also, I would look into reading some books by some of the more mystical Saints, such as St. Faustina, through whome gave us the Divine Mercy Novena (another powerfull prayer), or St. John of the Cross. For someone such as yourself, I would also STRONGLY recommend "Abandonment to Divine Providence", by Jean Pierre De Caussade (sp?). This book is a gem of spiritual insight, and what makes it so great is that it is very easy to read; perfect for anyone who is beginning to learn christian mysticism.

Blessings,

-Davide

Hi Davide, thanks for your advice. I've read St John of the Cross and Theresa of Avila etc. but I haven't heard of Jean Pierre De Caussade - I'll check that book out!

 

[graysparrow]

The Lectio Divina

 

[Febe]

I do the Spirituas Exercises by Ignatius of Loyola, with leading!, and that has been a help to me in this area...

 

[faerieevaH]

If you want music: Hildegard von Bingen!!!!!!

 

[Rising_Suns]

Hi Davide, thanks for your advice. I've read St John of the Cross and Theresa of Avila etc. but I haven't heard of Jean Pierre De Caussade - I'll check that book out!

I think this is the translation that I have of Jean Pierre:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1420926586/sr=8-1/qid=1148043976/ref=sr_1_1/102-7361997-4370527?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Also, St. Faustina's Diary, where she receives direct revelations from Jesus:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0944203043/qid=1148044546/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/102-7361997-4370527?s=books&v=glance&n=283155

 

[Epiphanygirl]

Hi everyone, I posted this over in my home forum but I thought I'd bung it in here as well seeing as when it comes to the christian mystic tradition you guys have seriously cornered the market!
I was just wondering if any of you practice meditation/contemplation, and what practices/techniques you use.
Thanks everyone!

What everyone stated above....but I would also add The Stations of the Cross, or Way of the Cross......

 

[3toraiseup]

Hi Tomoz,

I was just wondering if any of you practice meditation/contemplation, and what practices/techniques you use.
Thanks everyone!

The best way to learn about mediation and contemplative prayer is to just try it. I use Lectio Divina, the Holy Rosary and less frequently, the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Learning to pray the Rosary and enter into meditation on the Life of Jesus during is a great way for beginners to enter into contemplative prayer. I suggest picking up a short pamphlet or book with scriptural or pictoral meditations for each mystery.

There are also a few websites I have collected for on-line meditative aids, here are a few. Maybe someone can add on-line Rosary Meditations?

Sacred Space
Prayer Windows
Contemplative Prayer (warning) this link has an audible speaking voice when you click on it

 

[3toraiseup]

I also wanted to add that I prefer being active while meditating. Some of my deepest contemplative moments have come while jogging or walking. If you are lucky enough to live by a Monestary or Parish with a prayer garden or stations of the cross walk, that is definitely worth the effort to seek out and try.

 

[Markh]

You need to be in the state of perfect grace,

and if you are not a Catholic and do not have access to confession this is very difficult if not impossible

secondly you need the body of Christ- this is the fuel of meditation, the physical presence of Christ inside of you.

Become a Catholic for the good of your soul and experience a contemplative life on earth to the full.

 

[Epiphanygirl]

I also wanted to add that I prefer being active while meditating. Some of my deepest contemplative moments have come while jogging or walking. If you are lucky enough to live by a Monestary or Parish with a prayer garden or stations of the cross walk, that is definitely worth the effort to seek out and try.

I so get this!!! I've found,outside of Mass, some of my best moments with God have been while swimming!

 

[Globalnomad]

Mmmm.... I'm not sure you are all talking about the same thing. Yes, the Rosary is unquestionably a form of meditation, but I am not sure that the other practices mentioned are the kind of meditation that I think Tomoz is referring to.

Is anyone going to mention Centering Prayer or silent Eucharistic adoration?

 

[Rising_Suns]

Is anyone going to mention Centering Prayer or silent Eucharistic adoration?

Definately Eucharistic Adoration, yes. I would steer clear of centering prayer though.

-Davide

 

[Globalnomad]

Why, Davide?

 

[BillH]

I'm fond of the Rosary and Lectio Divina myself. Both can be done in conjunction with Adoration.

 

[a_ntv]

Contemplation is the intellectual search for meaning and purpose

No I dont agree. It is to stay at the presence of the Lord.

Contemplation is the arrival of years of pray. But it is very easy to start. The important is to place yourself at the presence of the Lord and of the Holy Spirit.
You dont need knowledge of books to do it.
So I dont give to links ot titles

My way:
Start with 10 minutes a day.
Go in your room and try to forget: worries, emotions, people, attractions.
Kneel, cross yourself and say "my God and my Lord, I know you are here. Holy Spirit came in me."
and then "my Lord, teach me to pray"
The first time read together with the Lord some verses of Gospels, or speak with Jesus as He is a close friend of you.
The more you go on, the less intelletual it became
Realy You can simply say for half a hour "my Lord, I love you" and be incredibly happy.
Dont ask the Lord for nothing more than to stay with you.

That my way but it can be wrong with you. You have seen how many posts. Luckly In RCC there are many many different spiritualies. You ll find the one right for you, that could not include this kind of pray.