Contemplatives

[3toraiseup]

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.

Yes!

 

[Rising_Suns]

Why, Davide?

There are too many variations out there to have any real grounding. And by itself, it is an insufficient meditation, and inferior to the Lord's prayer for example, or the angelic salutation.

I can see its use as a preparation for a meditation, as long as its center is focussed on a fundamental tenet of the Church, rather than a new age abstract.

-Davide

 

[Globalnomad]

There are too many variations out there to have any real grounding. And by itself, it is an insufficient meditation, and inferior to the Lord's prayer for example, or the angelic salutation.

I can see its use as a preparation for a meditation, as long as its center is focussed on a fundamental tenet of the Church, rather than a new age abstract.

-Davide

(1): We just agreed that in Catholicism there are many variations of meditative prayer - why worry about variations of Centreng Prayer?
(2) : surely the Lord's Prayer and the Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary) are not meditative prayers (except when part of the Rosary)
(3) : maybe it's different in the USA, but in English-speaking Third World countries, where I came across Centering Prayer, it was always focused on a fundamental tenet of the Church (a Biblical phrase, an attribute of God, a traditional [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] [no s******s from the peanut gallery please])...)
(4): I agree that the Rosary is the richest meditative prayer we have in Catholicism. But even the Rosary is not perfect or complete. It is good to alternate it with other prayers - whether they are "inferior" or not, would hardly be relevant, IMO...

 

[3toraiseup]

(3) : maybe it's different in the USA, but in English-speaking Third World countries, where I came across Centering Prayer, it was always focused on a fundamental tenet of the Church (a Biblical phrase, an attribute of God, a traditional [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] [no s******s from the peanut gallery please])...)

Centering prayer in the US is used by many spiritualities and has strong ties to New Age and Eastern spiritualities. It can be focused on tenents of the Church, however here, one must be careful of the origins and intent. For Catholics new to meditation and contemplation, a more traditional path might be prudent. Especially with the weak catechesis that has gone on in years past. Unfortunately, America is going through a spiritual awakening that doesn't find its roots in Christianity.

 

[Knowledge3]

I meditate on Proverbs and sayings of wisdom

 

[Rising_Suns]

(1): We just agreed that in Catholicism there are many variations of meditative prayer - why worry about variations of Centreng Prayer?

There aren't 25 different variations on the Lord's prayer. There aren't 25 different variations of the Rosary. There is 1 Lord's prayer. There is 1 Rosary.

In centering prayer, there is literally no limit to how many variations there are. In effect, anyone can choose to meditate on whatever they want. Meditating on anything other than Jesus, Mary, or what's contained in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Traition can be dangerous, and could even open up the doors to diabolical deception.

(2) : surely the Lord's Prayer and the Angelic Salutation (Hail Mary) are not meditative prayers (except when part of the Rosary)

They are most certainly meditative prayers. If one does not meditate on what they are saying, then as St. Montfort said, the prayer is like a wine skin without wine. Or as pope Clement (?) said, it's like a body without a soul.

(3) : maybe it's different in the USA, but in English-speaking Third World countries, where I came across Centering Prayer, it was always focused on a fundamental tenet of the Church (a Biblical phrase, an attribute of God, a traditional [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] [no s******s from the peanut gallery please])...)

Perhaps it is different in America then.

Every time I've seen Centering Prayer implemented in a parish, it was accompanied by new age elements...and at the expense of traditional elements, such as the Rosary, Benediction, Liturgy of the Hours, etc.

Blessings,

-Davide

 

[Knowledge3]

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.

A) Early morning offering

1) Kneel
2) Ask spiritual questions
3) Ask for forgiveness
4) Cross

Then continue mental prayers throughout the day, excersing my mind through memory of bible verses

 

[Febe]

Just sitting in front of a picture of Jesus on the cross, knowing that He did it for me...
That every sin I do, make His pain bigger...
It filles me with sorrow over myself - and with a great love for Jesus...
And with a wish to share His pain...
And, of course, with a strong will not to do anything that will cause Him more pain...
It´s a bit difficult for me to explain - especially in another language... But it´s great...
And a part of the Spiritual Exercises, by Ignatius of Loyola...
Just notice that those exercises MUST BE DONE WITH LEADING... Sorry to raise my voice, but it´s important...

 

[Deb7777]

I meditate on Proverbs and sayings of wisdom

I love the wisdom books too, so much to feed off, Lord send us your wisdom! We have so many blessings to help and aid us in growing closer to our Creator. One of our greatest blessings from our Creator's is his Mother to be our Mother and the blessing of such a relationship of love and support and guidance to know our God.

 

[Tomoz]

Thanks for all of this guys, its great info!
The contemplation I've been practicing comes out of the centering prayer taught by Basil Pennington etc., and is fairly orthodox I feel...
Its great to hear what works for you all!

 

[Globalnomad]

OK, guys, now I know what the problem is. We ARE talking of two different kinds of prayer. I am not saying that one definition is wrong and the other is right, but I AM saying that for some people, including it seems Tomoz, meditation has a "narrower" definiton. It does not include intellectual thinking about a concept, or Bible verse. So it would not include meditating on a Proverb or a saying of Wisdom like Knowledge3 says; it would not include saying any prayer while thinking about the meaning of the words, as Davide said.

OK, I've got it now even as I write! There is a confusion between meditation and what we call contemplative prayer. Eastern religions and New Agers call "meditation" their equivalent of our contemplative prayer. And obviously Tomoz was asking about that (he has just confirmed it by referring to Centering Prayer). I think if we all told him how we practise contemplative prayer, we'd be giving a more precise answer to his question.

 

[a_ntv]

A) Early morning offering
1) Kneel
2) Ask spiritual questions
3) Ask for forgiveness
4) Cross
Then continue mental prayers throughout the day, excersing my mind through memory of bible verses

I too.
I tray to be concentrate at the presence of the Lord in pray for about 20 min every day: in my room, in a park, or better in an empty church in front of the Holy Sacrament: the important is the silence and the mobile off.
And during all day long it is natural to think at Him, and verses of the Bible (or from the Mass) came in mind and I repeat them.
Honestly speaking music, or other people praying aloud, disturb me. So Mass/Rosary/Vespers, a couple of days a week, are anyway addictional to my minutes in alone pray, never in stead of.

 

[RoseofLima]

Contemplative prayer is not something which will be achieved by the one praying--but will rather be infused by God. A person has a lot of really hard work to do, dying to sin and selfishness before the higher states of mystical prayer will be experienced.

TO begin with I recommend picking five minutes each day, picking 1 or two lines of Scripture or a particular aspect of the Faith (the birth of Jesus, the Transfiguration, The feeding of the 5000, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection...whatever)...and spend those five minutes first thinking about that aspect, or Scripture, then sitting quietly listening. When you sit down to pray invite the Holy SPirit and put yourself consciously in the presence of the Lord.

After being faithful to these five minutes for a month or two- try to increase it to ten minutes. After several months increase to fifteen minutes everyday. I think most people who are not religious (meaning monks, nuns, etc.) will not be able to fit in more than 15 minutes everyday. Though at least once a week I would recommend an hour od silence in the presence of the Lord- not talking, not asking...just listening.

As you are diligent to wait upon the Lord-- you must also fight to grow in virtue. FIght temptation, overcome sinful tendencies.

This is the path to infused prayer. BEfore the path through the woods will be worn smooth, first the brush needs to be cleared, the path laid out, and walked upon again and again to establish the pathway. After winter, the spring will bring quick growing new seedlings...this is a time for diligence to once again clear out the path before it becomes overgrown and impassable. As well, after each rain...new growth will shoot up trying to choke the clearing--tear it our by the roots and carry on!

 

[Knowledge3]

I too.
I tray to be concentrate at the presence of the Lord in pray for about 20 min every day: in my room, in a park, or better in an empty church in front of the Holy Sacrament: the important is the silence and the mobile off.
And during all day long it is natural to think at Him, and verses of the Bible (or from the Mass) came in mind and I repeat them.
Honestly speaking music, or other people praying aloud, disturb me. So Mass/Rosary/Vespers, a couple of days a week, are anyway addictional to my minutes in alone pray, never in stead of.

I have a lot to learn about Catholicism

This is how I contemplate, I read - then I ponder what it means.

Which is intellectual searching