Spiritual ADD --- Please Help!

[gparis]

Hello all!!! I’m a recent (about 2 years) revert to the Catholic Faith.

Most of my life, I was a practical Atheist, but much happened to bring me back, this thread is not about my testimony, though.

I’ve got the basics down, ie: basic obligations of a faithful Catholic… plus additional devotions which seem appropriate…

Because of the tremendous spiritual wealth and treasure to be found with the church, the numerous devotions, writings, history, etc… I am suffering from Spiritual ADD!!

One day, I find myself reading the Bible, another I may spend some time at Eucharistic exposition… infrequently praying divine mercy chaplet, etc…

The problem I am having, if it can be considered a problem, is that I want to embrace everything the RCC has to offer… the problem is I am inconsistent in my application…

What can I do to structure a devotional / spiritual life while taking advantage of all that is part of our heritage, which is my desire?

I am still reading St. Francis DeSales “devotional life” and have a copy of Thomas A Kempis Imitation of Christ (which is a very difficult read)…

Also, I do not feel particularly called to Priesthood or Monastic life at this time…

Thanks in advance!

 

[Student09]

Pick one devotion that you would like to do every day. This could be reading a passage from the Bible, or it could be the rosary, or the Divine Mercy chaplet, for instance. Pick one that you find especially appealing. Then, have a set time each day that you try to do it, but if you don’t manage to do it at that time, then just do it any time.

This devotion then, whatever it is, will ground your prayer life. You can explore and practice other additional devotions at the same time, and they may come and go, but choose one that you will absolutely commit to on a daily basis.

It may take some strength of will to develop the habit, but once the habit is there, it will become easier and your whole prayer life will grow out of it!

 

[Rence]

Here’s some advice from someone who is ADD

Write a list of what you want to do, and cross them off as you accomplish the tasks. Don’t move on to the next one until the one you started is finished. You’ll eliminate a lot of mind clutter that way, and will be able to focus on what you’re doing. If you find something else you’re interested in, add it to the list, rather than dropping what you’re doing to move on to it.

 

[Iris_Ann]

Because of the tremendous spiritual wealth and treasure to be found with the church, the numerous devotions, writings, history, etc… I am suffering from Spiritual ADD!!

One day, I find myself reading the Bible, another I may spend some time at Eucharistic exposition… infrequently praying divine mercy chaplet, etc…

The problem I am having, if it can be considered a problem, is that I want to embrace everything the RCC has to offer… the problem is I am inconsistent in my application…

I am still reading St. Francis DeSales “devotional life” and have a copy of Thomas A Kempis Imitation of Christ (which is a very difficult read)…

Thanks in advance!

Spiritual ADD, that’s a great way to describe it. I have been a Catholic for just over a year, with one year of RCIA before that, and I think I have just been overwhelmed with all the opportunities for spiritual growth. It’s like moving to a great new city full of fantastic restaurants that didn’t exist in your previous town. You visit one and it’s great; the best meal you ever had, fabulous food and service. You say “this is definitely going to become my regular place”. Then a friend takes you to another restaurant and it’s the best meal you ever had, best service, this will be your regular place. Etc, etc, rinse and repeat. I spent the past two years just trying to experience everything that was available at my parish or that I discovered on my own. And maybe there’s a reason I used the restaurant analogy, I guess I was so starved spiritually (mostly through my own doing) that I became a spiritual overeater. Too cliche? So now I need to find the spiritual diet that is best. Again, sorry.

There are so many days when I just wish I could go on a month long (or longer) retreat with just my Bible, rosary, and every book and devotional I have purchased thus far and totally immerse myself. But until I win the lottery that will have to remain a dream. I heard a presentation on St. Francis DeSales during a retreat and his “Introduction to the Devout Life” was recommended as being very beneficial to people who are trying to develop their devotional life while still needing to meet their daily work and family responsibilities. I recently picked up a copy and am starting it today. Is there anything you found particularly helpful in your reading thus far that you’d like to share? I have been tempted several times by Imitation of Christ, but I know it would just become another book in my growing stack.

I’m sorry I’ve written all this and haven’t been able to give you anything more than “I’m in the same boat you are”, and of course offer my prayers for direction in your devotional life and for your continued spiritual growth. I think Student09 has given some great advice. I’m going to clear off my nightstand and read ONE book at a time, instead of skipping around, and choose one devotion to practice daily. I was going to talk about what I’d do in the event that it becomes sheer habit with no deeper meaning, but I’m not going to let myself think about the what if’s. I’m going to have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide me.

I guess I actually do have one bit of advice. You mentioned spending time at Eucharistic exposition. Might I recommend taking these concerns with you the next time you go and ask our Lord for guidance on where to focus your time and prayers. I know this has recently helped me to see the path more clearly.

 

[gparis]

Spiritual ADD, that’s a great way to describe it. I have been a Catholic for just over a year, with one year of RCIA before that, and I think I have just been overwhelmed with all the opportunities for spiritual growth. It’s like moving to a great new city full of fantastic restaurants that didn’t exist in your previous town. You visit one and it’s great; the best meal you ever had, fabulous food and service. You say “this is definitely going to become my regular place”. Then a friend takes you to another restaurant and it’s the best meal you ever had, best service, this will be your regular place. Etc, etc, rinse and repeat. I spent the past two years just trying to experience everything that was available at my parish or that I discovered on my own. And maybe there’s a reason I used the restaurant analogy, I guess I was so starved spiritually (mostly through my own doing) that I became a spiritual overeater. Too cliche? So now I need to find the spiritual diet that is best. Again, sorry.

There are so many days when I just wish I could go on a month long (or longer) retreat with just my Bible, rosary, and every book and devotional I have purchased thus far and totally immerse myself. But until I win the lottery that will have to remain a dream. I heard a presentation on St. Francis DeSales during a retreat and his “Introduction to the Devout Life” was recommended as being very beneficial to people who are trying to develop their devotional life while still needing to meet their daily work and family responsibilities. I recently picked up a copy and am starting it today. Is there anything you found particularly helpful in your reading thus far that you’d like to share? I have been tempted several times by Imitation of Christ, but I know it would just become another book in my growing stack.

I’m sorry I’ve written all this and haven’t been able to give you anything more than “I’m in the same boat you are”, and of course offer my prayers for direction in your devotional life and for your continued spiritual growth. I think Student09 has given some great advice. I’m going to clear off my nightstand and read ONE book at a time, instead of skipping around, and choose one devotion to practice daily. I was going to talk about what I’d do in the event that it becomes sheer habit with no deeper meaning, but I’m not going to let myself think about the what if’s. I’m going to have faith that the Holy Spirit will guide me.

I guess I actually do have one bit of advice. You mentioned spending time at Eucharistic exposition. Might I recommend taking these concerns with you the next time you go and ask our Lord for guidance on where to focus your time and prayers. I know this has recently helped me to see the path more clearly.

Cool!!! Now that I understand more about the faith (which I didn’t when I was young, which is why I left) I completely relate to your analogy of the restaurant!!!

It’s amazing how much is out there and really a great blessing… SO… lets see…

I guess the point is that the Thomas A Kempis book is very dense and seems pretty difficult to approach at this point in my spiritual life… I may approach it later (I rescued it from a pile).

St. Frances DeSales book is actually pretty easy to follow, if you can get beyond the metaphor used which seems more a condition of the time in which it was written…

I should take a few steps back and explain that stories of St. Francis, St. Theresa of Lisieux, among other early church saints really inspire one to lead a devout life… and understanding their approach to devotion to Christ and trying to imitate that is kind’ve where I take my cues from…

Their reflections, their actions really help show us the way to deepening a relationship with Christ.

That’s how I understand and feel about the whole matter.

did this help?

 

[Dorothy]

It is good to keep in mind to allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. As you try different types of prayer, (and there are many ways to pray), you will find particular devotions to be more helpful to you, and you can stay with them. Also, as time goes by and you progress in your prayer life, you may need to make some changes.

Remember to practice times of silence, so you can listen to the Lord, as well as He listen to you.

 

[Iris_Ann]

St. Frances DeSales book is actually pretty easy to follow, if you can get beyond the metaphor used which seems more a condition of the time in which it was written…

I should take a few steps back and explain that stories of St. Francis, St. Theresa of Lisieux, among other early church saints really inspire one to lead a devout life… and understanding their approach to devotion to Christ and trying to imitate that is kind’ve where I take my cues from…

Their reflections, their actions really help show us the way to deepening a relationship with Christ.

That’s how I understand and feel about the whole matter.

did this help?

Yes it did help, thanks! I see what you mean about the metaphor, I already caught myself a few times thinking “now what were we talking about?” and had to go back and re-read. Of course that most likely means I was reading too fast. And this is a time when those speed-reading lessons back in 7th grade (to this day I don’t know WHY our teacher insisted on them) do more harm than good.

What I really like is that even though his writings are what, over 400 years old, they are still relevant for contemporary society. No wonder the book has never been out of print. I believe I read that somewhere anyway. Although I do wonder how St Francis would react to the world today.

St Therese is my confirmation saint! I chose her because I also try to serve the Lord in little ways. In fact, when I finish The Devout Life, that’s next in line.

 

[Statius]

I don’t know, should it be a concern? If you are, like me, still feeling out you way and acquainting yourself with what devotions there are, I think it’s only natual that you would want to figure figure things out a little. We will settle down eventually, but there is no harm in exploring a little first.

I will admit, though, that I’ve sometimes let my interest in exploring get in the way of just spending some quiet time with God, which is, I suspect, the most important thing to cultivate.

I second the recommendation of St. Frances de Sales - I’m reading him at the moment, and it’s marvellous.