Tag: Centering PrayerTime for God – Book Recommendation
Father Philippe begins this fantastic book by laying the foundations of the heart of Christian mental prayer and meditation – God’s grace. He then provides a very clear and helpful contrast between Christian prayer and conflicting spiritual traditions that have recently made their way into Catholic spirituality. Through the remainder of the book he does a masterful job of drawing from the rich depths of the Carmelite tradition (St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, etc.) to provide a meaningful review of key principals of meditative prayer. If you are seeking to better understand mental prayer, contemplation, how to deepen your own prayer life, how to overcome struggles with prayer, you can’t go wrong with Father Philippe’s faithful and coherent treatment of these topics. This really is a must read for both spiritual directors and those seeking greater depths in their prayer lives. Major topic headings for the book:
To purchase this book and support this site, click here. Seek Him – Find Him – Follow Him Dan PS: You might wonder why I have this book categorized in “Centering Prayer” and “PsuedoSpirituality.” The reason is that the book provides the most concise, coherent, and charitable treatment of the modern synthesis of Catholic and non-Christian prayer practices. Finding a spiritual director – watch out for confused sheep…
Unfortunately, there are many in the Church in positions of authority, in religious orders, who would disagree with this kind of thinking. No, they wouldn’t disagree with the way that I just stated it, but they do see the world in terms that will, spiritually speaking, confuse things as diverse as a Cathedral and a place of rotting spiritual refuse. A great example of this sad confusion surfaced in a conversation I had today with someone who was taking classes with a religious order to become a “spiritual director.” In one of her recent classes the nuns brought in a Buddhist, a Natural Spiritist, and a number of other non-Christian representatives to share their spiritual insights. The goal was to understand that, as she said, “we are all Children of God” and that “we can learn a great deal from the spiritual lives of those who come out of these other religions.” I was a bit dumbfounded even though I am accustomed to this particular convent spreading dissent and confusion. What struck me was how readily this “spiritual direction” trainee had accepted what they presented to her. A number of scripture verses began to swirl in the back of my head as I cordially smiled and listened… “I am the way, the truth, the life, no one comes to the Father but through me.” (John 14:6) “All who came before me are thieves and bandits but the sheep did not listen to them.” (John 10:8) By the way, Jesus is talking here about one of the groups that presented their “spirituality” via the nuns. Another verse came to mind, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, they follow me.” (John 10:27) I wondered if she had ever read or pondered any of these passages. With deep incredulity, I wondered why someone would look outside of the endless depth and riches of their own faith, the One true Faith, the pinnacle of all that is good and true, into the spiritual wastelands of those who reject Christ both directly and indirectly. Even looking at the good of what is available in some of these religions, it is something like being diverted away from the most lavish banquet ever served in the history of time to a garbage can in the back of a greasy dive. Yes, something in there will be semi-edible, but why would anyone who had a seat reserved for them at this great feast ever choose to eat this way? This scenario points out the tip of the iceberg regarding a few serious issues facing those seeking sound spiritual direction. Here are a few ways to avoid taking direction from a lost sheep who claims to be a spiritual director: 1) Don’t settle for the garbage bin when you have a seat reserved for you at the feast of the King of Kings! The great spiritual Doctors of the Catholic Church provide unfathomable wisdom and depth that cannot be plumbed in any one lifetime by any one person. If you are seeking spiritual direction, ask your would-be director where they get their inspiration and training. If it is outside of the person of Christ and the tradition of His Church and the Doctors of the Church, you are about to be led into a spiritual garbage dump. 2) Don’t settle for the first answer to your question and don’t be ashamed to dig a little. After all, you are seeking truth and guidance into a deeper relationship with Christ. There is no greater aspiration in this life, nothing more worthy of careful consideration. A great second question to determine if a director can lead you to the true banquet of Christ is to ask them their position on Pope Paul VI’s encyclical, Humane Vitae. If you get anything but unequivocal and strong support for this controversial but clear teaching of the church - you are headed for a spiritual garbage can. 3) Finally, don’t settle for pseudo-spirituality in the form of New Age Catholicism. Ask them about “centering prayer.” If they enthusiastically smile and point to a method whereby you can quickly achieve contemplative union (a sacred word, a specific posture and breathing technique, etc.), you are headed for a very confusing journey into a rotting carcass of spiritual darkness. Unfortunately, finding a sound spiritual director instead of a confused sheep can be difficult. Don’t give up, don’t stop praying, and don’t settle for anything but a place at the table where you belong, with the King of Kings. Seek Him – Find Him – Follow Him Dan Centering Prayer (i.e. Keating, Menninger, Herington)
It is likely that history will categorize “Centering” prayer (as taught by Keating, Menninger, and Herrington) among the heresies of Pelagianism, and Quietism and the errors of confusing Catholicism with Pantheism. Though many attest that they have benefited from centering prayer (and have not necessarily sinned in so doing); those who were influenced by the aforementioned heresies made the same positive claims. It is also clear that the fundamental desire of many who have fallen into Centering prayer is an honest search for a deeper relationship with Christ. However, truth is not determined by experience and intention alone, but also by external objective reality – particularly when the magisterium of the Church has spoken on the matter. Accordingly we have also included links from the Vatican and other faithful sources. If you desire to understand the truth, depth, and riches of a profound prayer life and relationship with Christ, see the books we recommend on this site regarding true Christian Contemplation and Meditation (i.e. The Better Part, The Fire Within, The Fulfillment of All Desire, etc.). One thing to remember, if we accept the definitions and teaching of the Church and it’s Saints and doctors on the matter, “Centering” prayer (whatever the claims or beliefs may be) is NOT the same as “Contemplation.”
Many blessings to you in your search for the authentic presence of Christ in prayer. In Christ, Dan Contemplation – The Fire Within – Book Recommendation
This is a wise and accessible work of synthesis and systematization of the thought of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross on authentic mystical contemplation. One caution – if you have yet to read more basic works on prayer, contemplation, and meditation (and their historic definitions) you may want to pick up, “Prayer Primer” by the same author and read it first. Otherwise, you will likely miss many of the important distinctions and directions that these great saints have to offer us in our pursuit of God.
Yours in Christ, Dan
The Fire Within – Book Recommendation
The Fire Within is a fantastic and engaging work of synthesis and systematization of the thought of St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross on mystical contemplation. One of the more encouraging aspects of this book is the truth that the call to contemplation and deep communion with God is one that is meant for all Christians (as taught by the Saints themselves). One caution – if you have yet to read more basic works on contemplation and meditation (and their historic definitions and distinctions) you may want to pick up, “Prayer Primer” by the same author and read it first.
In Christ, Dan
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Foundational to any sound spiritual direction is the idea that there actually is a tangible direction to discover. That is, the practice presumes that spiritual truth is an expression of objective reality – just as objective and real as a map of your own hometown. For instance, if you asked someone to give you directions to the Cathedral and you ended up at the town dump, you would clearly know that something was amiss. The Cathedral and the dump can’t be the same thing at the same time. Those of you who have a rational basis for your thinking are shaking your head right now saying, ”Of course – who in their right mind would disagree with this?”
Though this blog is primarily dedicated to positive teachings the spiritual life, from time to time there are issues that must be addressed that are not so positive. For in your in-depth review, we have provided links to several articles that address the challenges with “Centering” prayer.
The Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel-On Prayer
The Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel-On Prayer
