How to get slain in the Spirit

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God is not the nice fussy feeling that many seek but the Creator of the universe. They are seeking the feeling but not the One who is behind the feeling.

God will also give you what you need when He sees that you need it. Never ever because you think you need it or would like it. God will also make His presence know to you, as He wants His presence to be known to you, and never as you expect it or want it.

From my experience it comes as a total surprise and never ever when I expected it. Did I know it was God in one of the three persons who made His presence known - without a doubt!
 
Thanks for your advice!

However, I would like to share that when I see people falling around me, it kinds of builds up an expectation in me that I should fall down too. How to reduce this expectation feeling?
 
To me, when someone is “slain in the spirit,” God does this to them because something in their soul is resisting the work of the Holy Spirit and that person needs to be anesthetized or knocked out so they do not interfere with the Holy Spirit. Needing to be anesthetized for the Holy Spirit to work in you is not necessarily a desirable state of being. Where did I get this idea? From Venerable Mary of Agreda. Also, I have been to Catholic conferences where people are “slain.” I was never knocked down when it came time for my blessing. I always felt lifted up. I will take that over falling down any day!
 
Limoncello4021 said:
someone please explain how seeking to be “slain in the Spirit” is a Catholic practice?
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I am not aware that it is, or that anyone claimed it is.
Limoncello4021 said:
In all my extensive spiritual reading in Catholicism, I never saw the saints seek this state.
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On the contrary I think it is well established that we should NOT seek such spiritual consolations. We can accept them with gratitude if they occur, but it is not appropriate to chase after them.
Limoncello4021 said:
What is the origin, who practices it, and why is it desired?
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I think the OP was clear that he wanted to achieve a restful state of peaceful communion during prayer.
melvfe said:
my physical condition and mental state are getting in the way.
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It would seem that this ought to be the focus. I realize that you may not have any way to affect your physical condition, but surely you can make some progress on your mental state!
melvfe said:
I would like to share that when I see people falling around me, it kinds of builds up an expectation in me that I should fall down too. How to reduce this expectation feeling?
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Feelings are largely governed by our perceptions, and our cognitive processing of what we perceive. In such cases, it is best to remind yourself that you are seeking the Giver, not the gift, and to pray (out loud if necessary) that you are open to anything and everything God desires for you, that you want to be filled completely. Falling down is not related.

CARM is a well known anti-Catholic website. I recommend it be avoided for all who are looking for authentic Catholic teaching.
 
The term “Slain in the Spirit” is used by Pentecostal or Charismatic Christians ( Protestants, not Catholics ). Perhaps you simply meant a state of deep prayer where you are relaxed and immersed in the presence of God ?
I have never seen this ( being slain in the Spirit ) at a Catholic Mass …
You find it often in Protestant ( holy roller type ) churches, where Charlatan Faith Healers pray for a line up of gullible sheep who fall over backwards when touched by the ’ Faith Healers’ 🙂 who then collect a generous money offering. The most direct way of becoming immersed in Gods presence is to read and read the Holy Bible, attend Mass, practice the Catholic Faith.
 
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melvfe said:
Hi!

I would like to get slain in the Spirit but I face two difficulties
  1. My mind simply cannot let go.
  2. My physical condition makes it very hard for me to be relaxed. Even when I try to keep still in silent prayer, I cannot stop getting spasms and becoming restless and fidgety…
I want to have the experience of getting slain in the Spirit this Easter/Pentecost. Please advise!
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The only ones I’ve seen that happen to are Pentecostals.
 
Another thing about these experiences is that many of these are things that the devil can copy. For example I heard someone on TV speaking in tongues. I could understand what he was saying. He was praising Satan.
 
This is scary. But people who have the spiritual gift of discernment should be able to identify such people. Maybe you’ve this gift. @poche
 
Hi.

I don’t think you understand what “slain in the Spirit” means, therefore, I think you are referring to something else, perhaps ecstasy, perhaps focused prayer. Being “slain in the Spirit” is a charismatic term that means to go limp without effort when “overcome” by the Spirit. It is seen a lot on TV at evangelical services…or so it seems. It is very easy to fake being “slain in the Spirit” - you simply pretend to faint. It is not something that one can control if real, and its true occurrence is a fraction of how many times it appears to happen. It is highly unlikely that a person would see such at a regular Mass. It is possible that a person could see such at a charismatic Mass. Prudence is warranted since it shows spiritual immaturity to seek out supernatural signs and wonders.

Ecstasy, on the other hand, is an altered state of consciousness which includes reduced external awareness and increased interior mental, and spiritual, awareness. Experiencing such is a gift from God and cannot be willed. You can’t experience it through effort.

And lastly, there is focused prayer. Now, this takes effort, and can possibly be achieved by practice. It is simply the ability to drown out your surroundings during your prayer time, and to minimize distracted thoughts such as, “What am I going to make for dinner?”, “I need to remember my appointment next week”, “What’s that noise outside?”, etc. It is not easy. In St Faustina’s diary, she talks about how the idle chatter of others bothers her except when she is deep in prayer - she was focused on God alone. I can’t do it, so I have no tips to give you. I have one of those minds that never shuts off or slows down. Perhaps one day…
 
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I’ve personally seen this phenomena at a healing service. It’s never happened to me. The same people fall EVERY time 🤔
 
My mother went to a evangecial service and i had to carry her out . she said she felt “drunk”
 
I honestly don’t trust it very much.

Growing up, my family occasionally had to partake of food giveaways to make ends meet. In our area, they were often at evangelical churches that made you sit through loud, obnoxious sermons first.

They started slaying folks in the spirit at one of them…I remember Mom pulling me back (I was about 7 at the time) as a lady hit the floor right at my feet, hard, her eyes rolling up into her head. Freaked me out a bit, and Mom and I just waited in a nearby hall while they all got it out of their system.

I personally think it’s a lot of spectacle and nonsense, and that it detracts from actual encounters with Christ. (The fact that, for me, it was coupled with essentially being held hostage in a Protestant church for hours by the need for food probably doesn’t brighten my view any.)
 
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