There are some remarkable books on spirituality by Quakers – “Prayer” and “Discipline” by Richard J. Foster have wonderful insights into those subjects and I find little at variance with our Catholic tradition.
Regarding other postings about The Jesus Prayer (which has been part of my spiritual life for years), I disagree with any necessity for spiritual direction or guidance in using this method. We are basically calling on the Name of Jesus, acknowledging Him as Son of God and asking for mercy for our sinfulness – how complicated can that be?
The prayer becomes you and you become the prayer as you live your daily life – I see no need for a third party’s assistance or intervention in this practice at all. Just my opinion.
Well, as far as using the Jesus Prayer as a daily, simple devotion, you are right. If someone really wants to LIVE the Jesus Prayer, it is important to make sure one regular attends Church and the sacraments, reads the bible and the spiritual Fathers of the Philokalia especially, and tries to find a spiritual Father or guide.
This is simply good sense. The Fathers warn against certain wiles of the evil one in this regard and this is also outlined in the Way of the Pilgrim. When the Pilgrim began trying to say the Jesus Prayer, he became heavy with depression and tried to give it up altogether. When he went to his Elder with this, the Elder, quite seriously, told him that the powers of evil had declared war on him to try and get him to stop praying. That makes perfect sense.
If I were in the devil’s shoes, I certainly wouldn’t want people getting all excited about the invocation of the Most Holy Name of … you know who!
I wouldn’t want people taking extra efforts at spiritual reading and meditation, or anything of the sort and so on.
St Teresa of Avila also talks about the way in which the evil one liked to lead her nuns astray, especially in prayer.
Prayer is a dangerous thing, let’s be honest. It can move mountains, when it’s done right. And it is a declaration of war against the evil one. So we need the guidance of an elder or spiritually experienced person, if we can find such.
I was once myself asked by a priest if I would consider becoming his “spiritual guide.” Rather than being flattered, I became very afraid and flatly said, “No.” A fine guide I would have made for a priest! That encounter made me realize how spiritually weak I really am. So did the priest and this is why he sought out a guide (he started at the bottom of the barrel).
We do need such guides and I am blessed to have one. Better than not having one.
There are pitfalls to this spirituality. Let’s follow the advice of the Fathers!
Cheers,
Alex
If you have an interest in the use of the prayer Metropolitan Anthony Bloom of blessed memory has some wonderful writing about it. Khouria Frederica Mathewes-Green published a book a year ago on the Jesus Prayer, which I haven’t read, but she does have a lecture on it on Ancient Faith Radio. Metropolitan KALLISTOS Ware speaks at some length about it here beginning around minute 18:00.
). This I think where Protestants fail when they try to take the Spiritual Father away and rely on each one trying to understand and interpret the Bible. Jesus had disciples, and the Apostles had disciples, and their disciples eventually had disciples of their own, and so on. True learning always comes from someone who has not only stuided the faith but lived it as well.