I've Been Studying Contemplative Prayer

[Strategery]

… and trying to figure out whether I’m being called to it.

The interest actually started a couple of years ago as I noticed certain passages where Paul refers to spiritual experiences that are so good that he can’t describe them. I always found that intriguing. Here is a concept that Paul – to whom was given the gift to articulate Christian theology – couldn’t actually describe. He discusses a higher level of spirituality that’s out there for us, but it’s in pieces across Philippians, Colossians, Romans, and Ephesians. As I strung these passages together, I could see that he was describing something that was very appealing to me. .

Then last year I picked up St. Francis De Sales Introduction to the Devout Life. He says more about meditation than about contemplative prayer, but he also treats meditations as a stepping off point to something greater. I could see the connection between his description and what St. Paul appears to be alluding to.

Two months ago I looked on my bookshelf and there was Fr. Dubay’s “Fire Within.” I had bought it about a year before because the title and one-sentence synopsis sounded good. Then I forgot about it. Once I really started thinking about contemplative prayer I walked by my bookcase, and there it was. Seems like more than coincidence to me.

There’s more to the study but these have been the main events leading me in this direction.

My question for anyone who has received this gift (and read this far) … how did you go about discerning it? How did you develop it? What were the circumstances around you becoming aware? Did you seek out a spiritual director or others who had the gift?

I’ve got more questions but this should get the dialogue started.

 

[DBT]

Two months ago I looked on my bookshelf and there was Fr. Dubay’s “Fire Within.” I had bought it about a year before because the title and one-sentence synopsis sounded good. Then I forgot about it. Once I really started thinking about contemplative prayer I walked by my bookcase, and there it was. Seems like more than coincidence to me.

“Fire Within” is a good a starting point for all things contemplative that there is. This is a wonderful book to get started with as it is solidly based on the teachings of two Carmelite masters: St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) and St. John of the Cross.

Should your interest in contemplative prayer grow perhaps one day you might find yourself called to look into a Secular Order. I see you’re from St. Louis. We are blessed to have a Carmelite monestary in Ladue with a very vibrant secular community (OCDS) attached to it. Our community produces the following website:

meditationsfromcarmel.com/

This site has lots of good info on the call to contemplative prayer and how it is lived in a secular setting. Also, you might enjoy listening to the numerous podcast meditations drawn from the many saints and blessed of the order.

Hope this helps! Feel free to PM me if you’d like to discuss in private.

Dave.

 

[Strategery]

“Fire Within” is a good a starting point for all things contemplative that there is. This is a wonderful book to get started with as it is solidly based on the teachings of two Carmelite masters: St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) and St. John of the Cross.

Should your interest in contemplative prayer grow perhaps one day you might find yourself called to look into a Secular Order. I see you’re from St. Louis. We are blessed to have a Carmelite monestary in Ladue with a very vibrant secular community (OCDS) attached to it. Our community produces the following website:

meditationsfromcarmel.com/

This site has lots of good info on the call to contemplative prayer and how it is lived in a secular setting. Also, you might enjoy listening to the numerous podcast meditations drawn from the many saints and blessed of the order.

Hope this helps! Feel free to PM me if you’d like to discuss in private.

Dave.

Dave, thanks for the response. I’m at St. Joseph’s parish in Cottleville, so I am close by. I’ll check out the site and probably will drop you a PM.

Thanks again!

 

[Monica4316]

it’s a good idea to read St Teresa’s “Interior Castle”

but remember it’s not about spiritual experiences, and these Saints tell us to NOT seek them. We should only seek to love God. That’s what contemplative spirituality is for if any experiences happen, thank God, and if they don’t, thank God.

God bless

 

[Strategery]

Thanks, and I agree with you completely.

Once I’m done with Fr. Dubay’s book, I’m going to read the Interior Castle and the Ascent of Mt. Carmel.

Your answer is exactly why I’ve brought this up here. I was intrigued by what I could see in Paul’s writings before I ever learned what “contemplative prayer” was. I feel somewhat drawn to it but it can be hard to tell the difference between personal desire (and ego) and God’s call.

In crude terms – am I interested because it’s obviously cool, and it’s a gift that the “great ones” have (possible), or am I being drawn? I will continue to pray over that one.

 

[Monica4316]

it’s never a bad idea to just read about it and learn more even if you’re not totally sure of your motives. Maybe they’ll change as you keep learning about contemplative prayer.