Tag: QuietismShould I attempt to shut-down or quiet my mind during prayer?
A: I cannot understand how the mind can be stopped. There is no way of doing so without bringing about more harm than good. For my part, those in favor of stopping the mind have never given me an adequate argument for submitting to what they say. Here are my reasons: First, in this work of the spirit the one who thinks less and has less desire to act (in suppressing their thoughts) does more. What we must do is beg like the needy poor before a rich and great emperor, and then lower our eyes and wait with humility. When through His secret paths it seems we understand that He hears us, then it is good to be silent since He has allowed us to remain near Him; and it will not be wrong to avoid working with the intellect. But, if we don’t yet know whether this King has heard or seen us, we mustn’t become fools. The soul does become quite a fool when it tries to induce this prayer, and it is left much drier; and the imagination perhaps becomes more restless through the effort made not to think of anything. But the Lord desires that we beseech Him and call to mind that we are in His presence; He knows what is suitable for us. I cannot persuade myself to use human diligence in a matter in which it seems His Majesty has placed a limit, and I want to leave the diligence to Him. What He did not reserve to Himself are many other efforts we can make with His help, such as: penance, good deeds, and prayer – insofar as our wretchedness can do these things. Second, is that these interior works are all gentle and peaceful; doing something arduous would cause more harm than good. I call any force that we might want to use “something arduous.” Leave the soul in God’s hands, let Him do whatever He wants with it, with the greatest disinterest about your own benefit as is possible and the greatest resignation to the will of God. Third, the very care used not to think of anything will perhaps rouse the mind to think very much. Fourth, what is most essential and pleasing to God is that we be mindful of His honor and glory and forget ourselves and our own profit and comfort and delight. How is a person forgetful of self if he is so careful not to stir or even to allow his intellect or desires to be stirred to a longing for the greater glory of God? When His Majesty desires the intellect to stop, He occupies it in another way and gives it a light so far above what we can attain that it remains absorbed. Then, without knowing how, the intellect is much better instructed than it was through all the soul’s effort not to make use of it. Since God gave us our faculties that we might work with them and in this work they find their reward, there is no reason to charm them; we should let them perform their task until God appoints them to another greater one. Without any effort or noise, the soul should strive to cut down the rambling of the intellect – but not suspend either it or the mind; it is good to be aware that one is in God’s presence and of who God is when in prayer. St. Teresa of Avila Adapted from The Interior Castle, 4:3 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 errors of Pelagianism, and Quietism and the challenges 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 |
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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.
