Before the reception of infused contemplation which is a supernatural gift from God, both St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila say that we should use our natural powers and abilities when we go to prayer and such is meditation which is the way of beginners as St John of the Cross says. In meditation, for example, meditating on some gospel scene or passage of scripture, we use and make acts of our intellect or reason, will, and imagination. If we are not experiencing infused contemplation at prayer, than meditation is okay to use at prayer, otherwise as St Teresa says I believe, we would be as if doing nothing at prayer. Infused contemplation is where the Holy Spirit is the mover and we are the moved, so as St John says, meditation here whereby we make use and make acts of our natural powers of the soul such as the intellect, will, and imagination, is a hindrance to the operation of the Holy Spirit in the soul who himself moves the intellect and will to their acts and we should be as just receiving or passive to this influx of the operation of the Holy Spirit. I think it is important to not advance ahead of grace and though St John of the Cross teaches about an active night of the senses (the passive night of the senses is the beginnings of infused contemplation), he also teaches I believe as does St Teresa of Avila that unless one is experiencing infused contemplation in prayer, then they ought too or it is okay to use meditation. We cannot acquire infused contemplation by our own efforts and natural abilities, it is a supernatural gift from God and God bestows it when he so wills too. Also, St John says that God does not lead all souls by the way of infused contemplation, whether this is due to a soul’s negligence or not is another question, so that meditation may be like the only form of prayer a soul uses its whole life long, even very holy souls. However, God probably bestows infused contemplation to these souls at times or periods and the person may be unaware of it as infused contemplation can be imperceptible to the person receiving it as St John says.Anyone interested in discussing this delicate topic? St John talks about it in many places. I picked one here from Dark Night of the Soul Book 2 chapter 9 paragraph 3.
catholictreasury.info/books/dark_night/dn24.php
- That the intellect reach union with the divine light and become divine in the state of perfection, this dark contemplation must first purge and annihilate it of its natural light and bring it actually into obscurity. It is fitting that this darkness last as long as is necessary for the expulsion and annihilation of the intellect’s habitual way of understanding, which was a long time in use, and that divine light and illumination take its place. Since that strength of understanding was natural to the intellect, the darkness it here suffers is profound, frightful, and extremely painful. This darkness seems to be substantial darkness, since it is felt in the deep substance of the spirit. DNS II. IX. 3
It is difficult to talk about darkness and emptiness and we all have different prayer lives and sometimes don’t understand what others are talking about. But those on the same path can benefit from sharing their journey. I bring this up because my prayer these days is often dark and silent and seems empty. Some people try to tell me an empty mind is dangerous but St John says the devil has no access.
as in chapter XVI
catholictreasury.info/books/dark_night/dn31.php
- In the measure that the soul walks in darkness and emptiness in its natural operations, it walks securely…By walking in darkness the soul not only avoids going astray but advances rapidly, because it thus gains the virtues.
Anyone care to discuss or share?
Well, here is the deal that I think Thomas A Kempis and St John of the Cross try to get across to us: most of us live in an unconscious routine life. If something delights us we are attracted. If something is painful, we avoid. And we go through life carried by are likes and dislikes. It is alright to enjoy life and things in it if we see it all in the context of God’s will and design, and as st John said, these things give glory to God. But usually God is not our primary concern. We come from a tendency and habit of first asking, “How is this going to affect me? Will I like it?” Not, “Does this give glory to God? Does it bring me/us/anyone closer to God?”Many people will probably hate my saying this, but beware of taking enjoyment from worldly pleasures, for far more often than not, they are not from God and will greatly interfere with our experiencing the much greater satisfaction of God’s consolation!
Yes, I am definitely not denying or suggesting that we shouldn’t strive for an inner stillness and silence when we go to prayer or even at all times if possible even among the humdrum of daily life. Otherwise how are to going to communicate with God and listen to what He might reveal to us. It is said somewhere in scripture I believe “I will lead her into the wilderness and speak to her heart.” I think a soul can enter into this inner stillness and silence of the soul either naturally (what comes to my mind here is like the method of buddist monks), or naturally as well as supernaturally with the ‘ordinary’ help and actual graces of God ( like what is commonly termed acquired contemplation), or supernaturally with infused contemplation as such which is a pure gift from God.Thanks, Richca, I have met a few people who believe that inner stillness and silence is not possible are striving for it is dangerous. And yet in my own life I have found that I require it and if I do not have the discipline to make time for it, I feel as though I lose my connection to God. And I have always been that way. St. John has been a tremendous validation for me. Of course those moments of stillness are surrounded by thoughts accomodating meditation.
The removal of consolation is a test for our faith. We can cling to faith without feelings…this helps us to grow in the Lord. (unless we were willfully sinful). I thank the Lord for the Doctor of the Church on prayer, St. John of the Cross.Nothing causes me to feel more miserable, worthless, and lonely than when God withdraws His consolation! Psychologists and psychiatrists would insist that I’m only experiencing depression, but then they would have insisted that Christ only suffered from schizophrenia. During such times, I search my soul wondering if I somehow offended God. I have no intention of going into despair but plan to continue in prayer for however long it takes. Nothing in this world causes me to feel pleasure anymore; only God can satisfy my soul.
"The removal of consolation is a test for our faith. We can cling to faith without feelings…this helps us to grow in the Lord. (unless we were willfully sinful). I thank the Lord for the Doctor of the Church on prayer, St. John of the Cross.