Knowing God?

[Mystical_Seeker]

Hi, how do I get myself an Audible version of the New Testament for my window’s 8 laptop computer? Any ideas or suggestions?

I got mine from audible.com/pd/Religion-Spirituality/New-American-Bible-Audiobook/B002V8DJM0/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1411504527&sr=1-1. It’s 13.99 without a membership.

Also I like using a NIV Bible (unless we’re doing apologetics, IMO it’s just as good) that is free and has narration built in, at biblegateway.com/. You can just start it running at any chapter and it keeps going until you stop it.

Edit: biblegateway has NABRE too, but I don’t think it has narration for it.

That certainly does help, but when you were talking about the silent prayer, I was confused as to what you meant. When you said “let your thoughts go by”, did you mean to just not think, or try not to focus on thinking, or something else? Also, when you say “heart” I’m usually confused as to what this means. Does it mean my spirit, or the emotional side of my mind, or, again, something else? Sorry for all these questions, I’m just a little confused.

As for the second part of your answer, I actually have the Bible app, so I can probably have the app read to me.

Thanks so much for your response!

That’s a huge but excellent question. It took me some years to get it to where it was “my own.” I have a class to go to now but I will think about it and get back to you.

MS

 

[Worlds]

I got mine from audible.com/pd/Religion-Spirituality/New-American-Bible-Audiobook/B002V8DJM0/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1411504527&sr=1-1. It’s 13.99 without a membership.

Also I like using a NIV Bible (unless we’re doing apologetics, IMO it’s just as good) that is free and has narration built in, at biblegateway.com/. You can just start it running at any chapter and it keeps going until you stop it.

Edit: biblegateway has NABRE too, but I don’t think it has narration for it.

That’s a huge but excellent question. It took me some years to get it to where it was “my own.” I have a class to go to now but I will think about it and get back to you.

MS

Ok thank you so much!

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

…
When you said “let your thoughts go by”, did you mean to just not think, or try not to focus on thinking, or something else?

Definitely do not “try not to think” because the effort of trying automatically kicks “I am willfully doing something” into place.

Like if you just watch clouds go by without thinking about them – just soaking in the experience of seeing them? Maybe you see a familiar shape, but no willful (that’s the key IMO) thinking about them. Of course you will from time to time.

I highly recommend a book they are using as a text at the Kenrick-Glennon seminary (I know someone there) for prayer class for first semester theology. It is the most readable book I’ve seen on contemplative prayer – but it also covers the other prayer forms: recited prayer (“talking at God”), made-up prayer (I forgot his exact term but that could be “talking to God”) and contemplative (“Listening to God”).

Armchair Mystic: Easing Into Contemplative Prayer Paperback – April 1, 2001
by Mark E. Thibodeaux S.J. (Author)

It’s inexpensive. I got both Kindle and audio versions – the audio version is actually narrated by the author.

Also, when you say “heart” I’m usually confused as to what this means. Does it mean my spirit, or the emotional side of my mind, or, again, something else? Sorry for all these questions, I’m just a little confused.

I don’t know. It’s not exactly a feeling and not exactly thinking. It’s kind of an intuitive hunch. You know how sometimes you “just know” something but can’t explain why, and then it turns out you were right? Kind of like that.

I had always been an academic, and a few times I got into bitter online arguments with a woman who was a good friend, but whose way of expressing “from the heart” and my way of discussing “from the mind” simply didn’t mesh. It felt to her like I was insulting her and not getting her drift. It felt to me like she had no respect or concern for my point of view. Luckily we merged our communication to the point we are great friends now and share ideas on FB regularly.

As for the second part of your answer, I actually have the Bible app, so I can probably have the app read to me.

 

[Worlds]

Definitely do not “try not to think” because the effort of trying automatically kicks “I am willfully doing something” into place.

Like if you just watch clouds go by without thinking about them – just soaking in the experience of seeing them? Maybe you see a familiar shape, but no willful (that’s the key IMO) thinking about them. Of course you will from time to time.

I highly recommend a book they are using as a text at the Kenrick-Glennon seminary (I know someone there) for prayer class for first semester theology. It is the most readable book I’ve seen on contemplative prayer – but it also covers the other prayer forms: recited prayer (“talking at God”), made-up prayer (I forgot his exact term but that could be “talking to God”) and contemplative (“Listening to God”).

Armchair Mystic: Easing Into Contemplative Prayer Paperback – April 1, 2001
by Mark E. Thibodeaux S.J. (Author)

It’s inexpensive. I got both Kindle and audio versions – the audio version is actually narrated by the author.

I don’t know. It’s not exactly a feeling and not exactly thinking. It’s kind of an intuitive hunch. You know how sometimes you “just know” something but can’t explain why, and then it turns out you were right? Kind of like that.

I might try to get a download for that book. But I think I get what you are saying. Instead of thinking, I should just “witness” and “experience” when I’m trying to do that kind of prayer.

I also get what you are saying about the heart. It’s not our concious mind that’s thinking, or our emotions necessarily, but something that acts as our intuition and our guide. PS. If I’m mistaken please correct me.

 

[Mystical_Seeker]

I might try to get a download for that book. But I think I get what you are saying. Instead of thinking, I should just “witness” and “experience” when I’m trying to do that kind of prayer.

I also get what you are saying about the heart. It’s not our concious mind that’s thinking, or our emotions necessarily, but something that acts as our intuition and our guide. PS. If I’m mistaken please correct me.

You said very well, what I was getting at.

Peace,
MS

 

[Worlds]

You said very well, what I was getting at.

Peace,
MS

Ok thank you so much for all of your help! I’m so grateful!