Hesychasm Vs. Taize

[Little_Boy_Lost]

I’ve been reading several of the fathers from the Philokalia and many of them emphasis what we might consider “Eastern” (Not in the christian sense) or “Buddhist”. Breathing techniques, relaxation, meditation, and still prayer. It is beautiful and I find it so unfortunate many (especially Roman Catholic young adults) are captivated by Taize prayer. Many of the aspects of Taize prayer seem superficially similar to Hesychast prayer. Is there much difference? I was told one of the chant at Taize was “Come Holy Spirit” which leaves much to be desired when compared with the Jesus Prayer.

Thoughts?

 

[Alexander_Roman]

I’ve never been to Taize to see for myself, but to me Taize seems like a solid modern movement bringing people together for prayer in the monastic tradition.

A number of Protestant Taize members have become Catholics and there is an Orthodox component to the Taize membership, I believe.

Numbers of Taize members do practice the Jesus Prayer.

This all depends on what we ourselves want to “get out” of the “spiritual experience.” If we want to only find ourselves while meditating on “emptiness” - then that is exactly what we’ll get - the emptiness of our own egos.

The Jesus Prayer is actually promoted by “meditation practitioners” in North America who will charge a fee to “teach” people how to do it. Clearly, these have nothing to do with the proper intention of the Prayer of Jesus with the focus on OLGS Jesus Christ through participation in the Mysteries/Sacraments of the Church etc.

And the Philokalia would never counsel anyone to do the various breathing techniques outside of a relationship with an experienced Elder who would be able to catch us whenever we fell into “prelest” or self-deception.

A strong dedication to the Prayer of Jesus can be very dangerous when done out of false motives or when done for the sake of “spiritual enlightenment” that does not have as its focus OLGS Jesus Christ through active participation in the life of the Church.

The practice of Eastern techniques can likewise introduce all manner of inner confusion in us which is why it is best left alone.

Alex

 

[puzzleannie]

why is there sometimes an all or nothing attitude toward various prayer forms, especially private prayer? why the assumption that if one is good, the other must by definition be wrong, or lacking?

 

[5Loaves]

Only to add to what previous posters have said, Veni, Sancte Spiritus, from the Roman Missal, in one of my favorite antiphonal prayers of the Latin Church.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. V. Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord.

or in Latin

Veni, Sancte Spiritus, reple tuorum corda fidelium: et tui amoris in eis ignem accende. V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur. R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. Oremus. Deus, qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere; et de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum, Dominum nostrum.

And from the Catechism of the Catholic Church PART FOUR CHRISTIAN PRAYER, SECTION ONE: PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, CHAPTER TWO: THE TRADITION OF PRAYER, ARTICLE 2: THE WAY OF PRAYER, “Come, Holy Spirit”:

2671 The traditional form of petition to the Holy Spirit is to invoke the Father through Christ our Lord to give us the Consoler Spirit.[Lk 11:13] Jesus insists on this petition to be made in his name at the very moment when he promises the gift of the Spirit of Truth.[Jn 14:17;15:26; 16:13] But the simplest and most direct prayer is also traditional, “Come, Holy Spirit,” and every liturgical tradition has developed it in antiphons and hymns.

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.[Roman Missal]

Heavenly King, Consoler Spirit, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling all things, treasure of all good and source of all life, come dwell in us, cleanse and save us, you who are All Good.[Byzantine Liturgy]

I’ve been involved with Taize prayer services for years and I’ve never heard any prayer chants there which weren’t fully orthodox. Most of the lyrics come directly from Sacred Scripture. There is no breathing technique involved. As Alexander Roman has said any special breathing should always like others practices such as fasting, be done only under the guidance of a qualified spiritual father.

Taize has proven to be a significant opportunity to pray with other Christians. The Taize community was establish by Br Roger to pray for peace and reconciliation and that is the basis for the coming together in prayer, definitely a prayer intention of paramount importance for our world, especially for our sisters and brothers who are suffering such violence and repression for the faith in many of the home lands of our Eastern and Oriental Catholic and Orthodox Churches.

P.S. Note the messages from HH Pope Benedict XVI, from HH Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and HH Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Taizé.

 

[Hesychios]

I have always like Taize prayer.

I think it can be incorporated into the LOTH for a community service.

 

[LoyalViews]

I have always like Taize prayer.

I think it can be incorporated into the LOTH for a community service.

Yep. I sort of like some of the Taize songs, because they use Latin…a lot. Also, they mix the Eastern and Western liturgical traditions into their songs, so it’s a bit of both.

 

[Alexander_Roman]

I’m very inspired by the marvellous posts on Taize here!

One other thing that Taize really sets a good example in is how the community prepares for the three main public Hours of worship it celebrates daily - lighting of candles etc.

Today we tend to not pay as much attention to the setting in which we pray as individuals. It is good to have, for example, a special consecrated place at home to pray at, light candles, burn some incense, outward gestures of respect in prayer.

We should pray unceasingly, but it is also good to have special times for prayer set aside that can be solemnized in this way.

Alex

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

He just admitted in an Eastern forum that he likes Latin…oh no he dih-ent!

Yep. I sort of like some of the Taize songs, because they use Latin…a lot. Also, they mix the Eastern and Western liturgical traditions into their songs, so it’s a bit of both.

 

[Pakesh]

He just admitted in an Eastern forum that he likes Latin…oh no he dih-ent!