What must we do to get the Holy Spirit's gifts?

[Robert_Sock]

I personally feel that we must stay away from the lower-ordered worldly pleasures, especially sex. It seems to me that many of us go through life choosing these lower-ordered gifts without giving the effort to obtain the more pleasurable, higher-ordered gifts that the Holy Spirit would freely give to us if we just took the effort to engage in righteous sacrifice and devoting ourselves to holy things in this life, like giving alms, studying and following the scriptures, and becoming contemplative.

I’m retired and I have too much time on my hands and would like suggestions on what I can do to grow closer to God. I do pray a lot, listen to the Holy Rosary, watch the Daily Mass, and engage in Centering Prayer, but I still have the time to do more. I’m much more a listener than a reader. Reading is not for me. But I need to come up with something that will bring me closer to God and keep my mind active. I live in solitude and interacting with people or leaving my apartment is out of the question. Any ideas?

 

[BroIgnatius]

Robert:

You have good goals and you are already doing what you need to so to get closer to God, except for Centering Prayer. Centering Prayer is not Christian. All Christians need to stay away from this form of alleged prayer:

The Danger of Centering Prayer by Rev. John D. Dreher. Centering prayer is essentially a form of self-hypnosis. It makes use of a “mantra,” a word repeated over and over to focus the mind while striving by one’s will to go deep within oneself. The effects are a hypnotic-like state: concentration upon one thing, disengagement from other stimuli, a high degree of openness to suggestion, a psychological and physiological condition that externally resembles sleep but in which consciousness is internalized and the mind subject to suggestion.

A Closer Look at Centering Prayer by Margaret A. Feaster. The Centering Prayer Movement has become very popular in Catholic circles today. People sign up for it in retreat centers, in workshops, and sometimes in their own parish. These people believe it to be authentic Christian contemplative prayer practiced by the saints. Is it really Christian contemplation?

If reading is a problem there are many books on the saints and all sorts of topic on audio recording. I would look into that.

 

[pianistclare]

There is reason why they are called “the Gifts of the Holy Spirit”.
They are freely given by God in the Sacraments particularly Confirmation.
It’s up to us to properly use them. We don’t “earn” them.

Peace

 

[fiftytwo]

You might get the free PDF download of Dave Roberson

How to walk in the spirit and the power of the holy spirit.

He was one of the mentors .

And he has a supernatural ministry.

Thousands of people have been successful

He has mentored many people

Signs and miracles following

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I always thought that God in the person of the Holy Spirit was happy to give us the Holy Spirit’s gifts if we just sincerely ask. We don’t need to pass a test to get them. To be clear, we do receive them at Baptism and they are strengthened at Confirmation, but it is not uncommon to pray for an increase in a gift like Wisdom or Fortitude or the ability to develop and use it better.

By asking, we receive these gifts, which it’s up to us to use. So it’s good to also ask for God’s help in properly using these gifts, when we ask for the gifts.

I’m pretty sure a sincere request by someone who is making the effort to be closer to God and do the right things would cause God to also bestow a measure of His grace on the asker to help them use the gifts and, assuming they continue to make sincere efforts, to be open to receiving more graces and gifts.

 

[Robert_Sock]

I always thought that God in the person of the Holy Spirit was happy to give us the Holy Spirit’s gifts if we just sincerely ask. We don’t need to pass a test to get them. To be clear, we do receive them at Baptism and they are strengthened at Confirmation, but it is not uncommon to pray for an increase in a gift like Wisdom or Fortitude or the ability to develop and use it better.

By asking, we receive these gifts, which it’s up to us to use. So it’s good to also ask for God’s help in properly using these gifts, when we ask for the gifts.

I’m pretty sure a sincere request by someone who is making the effort to be closer to God and do the right things would cause God to also bestow a measure of His grace on the asker to help them use the gifts and, assuming they continue to make sincere efforts, to be open to receiving more graces and gifts.

I’m sure that we all do get some, but it would seem that some people, like thee the saints, get a lot more. I also feel that I have much more of the gifts of knowledge, wisdom and understanding much more today than when I was a lot younger.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Robert:

You have good goals and you are already doing what you need to so to get closer to God, except for Centering Prayer. Centering Prayer is not Christian. All Christians need to stay away from this form of alleged prayer:

The Danger of Centering Prayer by Rev. John D. Dreher. Centering prayer is essentially a form of self-hypnosis. It makes use of a “mantra,” a word repeated over and over to focus the mind while striving by one’s will to go deep within oneself. The effects are a hypnotic-like state: concentration upon one thing, disengagement from other stimuli, a high degree of openness to suggestion, a psychological and physiological condition that externally resembles sleep but in which consciousness is internalized and the mind subject to suggestion.

A Closer Look at Centering Prayer by Margaret A. Feaster. The Centering Prayer Movement has become very popular in Catholic circles today. People sign up for it in retreat centers, in workshops, and sometimes in their own parish. These people believe it to be authentic Christian contemplative prayer practiced by the saints. Is it really Christian contemplation?

If reading is a problem there are many books on the saints and all sorts of topic on audio recording. I would look into that.

I I should say that I use a modified version where I lay in my bed. I also never use a “sacred word” as I understand it to be optional. I just go straight into deep contemplation. What do you consider to be my method of Centering Prayer and the method spelled out in The Cloud of Unowing?

 

[DebChris]

We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit by virtue of the Sacraments.
For some, these gifts have been put on the top shelve, in the back of the closet, so to speak. They received the Sacraments, not as the gifts they are, but rather as social ritual. Even in accepting a gift graciously, a person wants to use it. A child may receive a bicycle, but still needs to learn how to ride it.
It is possible that you may not be aware of the gifts that you have. Pray for knowledge to be open to the Holy Spirit and ask the for the awareness of your giftedness. The Saints during their own life times did not necessarily view themselves as saints. They were ordinary people living ordinary lives. Oh, how St. Teresa of Avila admonishes herself in The Way of Perfection. She also has an answer for those who would criticize contemplative prayer, which she calls a gift. She responds by reminding those who pray that we are called to love God with our whole being. Within the Way of Perfection, written as guidance for sisters under her care is a beautiful treatment of the Our Father. She writes about how vocal and mental prayer should be prayed slowly and deliberately. It is God who brings a person to the contemplative state.
The charisms that a person possesses are not a sign that he or she is holier than another person. They are meant for building up the Body of Christ. Father D’Orio, who had the gift of healing was once asked why not everybody who came to him was healed. He responded by saying, “That is God’s way of reminding me that I am not the Healer.”

St. Teresa of Calcutta did not often feel God’s presence in her life. She was a friend of Bishop Curlin from Charlotte, NC who reminded her that “incense always goes upward.”

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I’m sure that we all do get some, but it would seem that some people, like thee the saints, get a lot more. I also feel that I have much more of the gifts of knowledge, wisdom and understanding much more today than when I was a lot younger.

Yeah, that is providing me some comfort in my advancing age too

The saints all prayed pretty constantly, whether it was for an increase in spiritual gifts or just for other people’s intentions. I think the prayer, bringing us closer to God and putting our minds on God, is a big key.

 

[BroIgnatius]

I I should say that I use a modified version where I lay in my bed. I also never use a “sacred word” as I understand it to be optional. I just go straight into deep contemplation. What do you consider to be my method of Centering Prayer and the method spelled out in The Cloud of Unowing?

Did you read the articles. If you are not doing Centering Prayer then it is best to not call it that.

 

[BroIgnatius]

The Cloud of Unknowing itself says that the vast number of people should not even pick up the book.

The higher levels of contemplation are only given to a very few by God. One cannot attain it, work toward it, or use any technique to get there.

That is what Center Prayer tries to do – to circumvent God in an attempt to reach higher levels of contemplation that God did not give them.

In addition, Centering Prayer is a regurgitation of Eastern meditation.The Vatican says no on that.

Third, we already have ways of meditation and contemplation that have been vetted my the monks and by the Church for 1600+ years. There is nothing new that can be learned, except to adulterate the subject with inconsistent notions. There is no need for the Centering Prayer approach. We already have proven and Church approved ways.

 

[Robert_Sock]

A must read for anyone questioning the Catholic approval of Centering Prayer:
carmelnet.org/larkin/larkin014.pdf

I know that Ernest E. Larkin, O.Carm. is just one Catholic, but his position should be given serious consideration. If Centering Prayer is so evil, why does not the Church condemn it for all the contemplatives in holy monasteries use it?

 

[Robert_Sock]

The Cloud of Unknowing itself says that the vast number of people should not even pick up the book.

**The higher levels of contemplation are only given to a very few by God. One cannot attain it, work toward it, or use any technique to get there.

That is what Center Prayer tries to do – to circumvent God in an attempt to reach higher levels of contemplation that God did not give them.

In addition, Centering Prayer is a regurgitation of Eastern meditation.The Vatican says no on that.**

Third, we already have ways of meditation and contemplation that have been vetted my the monks and by the Church for 1600+ years. There is nothing new that can be learned, except to adulterate the subject with inconsistent notions. There is no need for the Centering Prayer approach. We already have proven and Church approved ways.

Can you please provide direct quotes for your assertions?

 

[Robert_Sock]

Did you read the articles. If you are not doing Centering Prayer then it is best to not call it that.

The “sacred word” is said to be optional.

 

[BroIgnatius]

A must read for anyone questioning the Catholic approval of Centering Prayer:
carmelnet.org/larkin/larkin014.pdf

I know that Ernest E. Larkin, O.Carm. is just one Catholic, but his position should be given serious consideration. If Centering Prayer is so evil, why does not the Church condemn it for all the contemplatives in holy monasteries use it?

First, the O.Carms, in recent decades have devolved into various New Age practices, such as the Enneagram and the like. This is one reason I left the Lay Carmelites

Second, all one has to do is look at the books that teach Centering Prayer and then read On Some Aspect of Christian Meditation and A Christian Reflection on the New Age. From that analysis alone one can see problems with Centering Prayer.

Also informative is Father Pacwa’s “Catholic and the New Age.” And many other sources who are not self-invested in promoting a practice that they themselves practice, like the O.Carms.

 

[Robert_Sock]

First, the O.Carms, in recent decades have devolved into various New Age practices, such as the Enneagram and the like. This is one reason I left the Lay Carmelites

Second, all one has to do is look at the books that teach Centering Prayer and then read On Some Aspect of Christian Meditation and A Christian Reflection on the New Age. From that analysis alone one can see problems with Centering Prayer.

Also informative is Father Pacwa’s “Catholic and the New Age.” And many other sources who are not self-invested in promoting a practice that they themselves practice, like the O.Carms.

I’m looking for direct quotes, especially from Holy Mother Church!

 

[BroIgnatius]

Can you please provide direct quotes for your assertions?

Infused (or higher) meditation is a gift from God. It cannot be attained.

The Catholic Dictionary defines infused contemplation as a

A supernatural gift by which a person’s mind and will become totally centered on God. Under this influence the intellect receives special insights into things of the spirit, and the affections are extraordinarily animated with divine love. Infused contemplation assumes the free co-operation of the human will.

This is not a gift given to just anyone. None of God’s gifts are just given to anyone. He gives His to whom he wills (1 Cor 12:11).

As read the Cloud of Unknowing, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the Cross we get a clearer picture of the rarity of this gift.

Centering Prayer seeks to circumvent that by using a “method” to attain only what God can give. Centering Prayer has other dangers as well, as he documents I already posted attests.

In the Unknowing is read:

From Chapter 74:

And I pray thee for God’s love that thou let none see this book, unless it be such one that thee think is like to the book; after that thou findest written in the book before, where it telleth what men and when they should work in this work.

…

        **"As for worldly gossips, flatterers, the scrupulous, tale-bearers, busybodies, and the hypercritical, I would just as soon they never laid their eyes on this book.** I had no intention of writing for them and prefer that they do not meddle with it. **This applies, also, to the merely curious, educated or not. They may be good people by the standards of the active life, but this book is not suited to their needs**. {bold my emphasis}

The book is not for everyone.

But, that aside, God does not give this gift but to a few.

 

[BroIgnatius]

I’m looking for direct quotes, especially from Holy Mother Church!

To limit the conversation in this way, is not how the Church teaches. The Church teaches principles of thinking and evaluating rather than commenting on every subject. The Church expects us to have the maturity to learn those principles and to apply them. We do this with our children since we cannot teach them everything. To insist the Church specifically mention the topic or else all the reasoning by those experienced in the subject cannot be trusted is like the Protestant approach to the Bible. We must learn the principles, to which I have provides the Vatican documents, and the applications by two sources, plus myself (with 30 years experience in deliverance and a former New Ager and meditator).

Here is another article that summarizes the Vatican document on meditation and proves my point about “principles.”

But, we are are to go this way, then please provide direct quotes from more than one source, and especially from Holy Mother Church that Centering Prayer is Christian and harmless.

 

[Robert_Sock]

Infused (or higher) meditation is a gift from God. It cannot be attained.

The Catholic Dictionary defines infused contemplation as a

This is not a gift given to just anyone. None of God’s gifts are just given to anyone. He gives His to whom he wills (1 Cor 12:11).

As read the Cloud of Unknowing, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the Cross we get a clearer picture of the rarity of this gift.

Centering Prayer seeks to circumvent that by using a “method” to attain only what God can give. Centering Prayer has other dangers as well, as he documents I already posted attests.

In the Unknowing is read:

The book is not for everyone.

But, that aside, God does not give this gift but to a few.

“unless it be such one that thee think is like to the book”

This implies that it is to be used by all those who feel they can benefit from it, like me!

 

[EricF]

There is reason why they are called “the Gifts of the Holy Spirit”.
They are freely given by God in the Sacraments particularly Confirmation.
It’s up to us to properly use them. We don’t “earn” them.

Peace

I couldn’t agree more. The gifts are there, it is up to us to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to optimize them.