Common mystic prayer
Posted by Terry Nelson on May 3rd, 2007
“Day pours out the word to day; and night to night imparts knowledge.” - Psalm 19
Sometimes, when you are praying and you ‘happen‘ upon a thought, or a concept, such as “eternity“, or “divinity“…or even a phrase like, “He who already was in the beginning” - what happens?
Do you experience an “I don’t know what” type of knowledge, unknowable to the intellect? Does it seem you are on the precipice of something vast and incomprehensible, and it seems your breath is nearly taken away?
That is a taste of contemplation, a glimpse of the threshold of heaven. It can be so fleeting, one cannot even describe or explain it, much less grasp it. Children often have this experience…and sometimes sinners.
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:17 am
Grown-up children have it, too, on occasion. Too bad there aren’t more of us.
What’s gotten into you that you’re producing first-rate posts so often?
May 3rd, 2007 at 9:52 am
I doubt anyone here has gotten close to contemplation. It is reserved for a very few.
People who experience contemplation are far too humble to admit that they have been given such a gift, unless ordered to by a confessor.
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:54 am
I know I sure haven’t experienced it. Contemplating a concept is not the same as “contemplation.” I’ve heard it described as simple attention - a loving gaze - oriented towards the beloved; appreciating just being in the presence of the beloved, without words, thoughts, or concepts. Is it that simple?
May 3rd, 2007 at 10:59 am
Beautiful post!
May 3rd, 2007 at 11:45 am
Father Gabriel Diefenbach, a Capuchin, now deceased, wrote a wonderful book entitled “Common Mystic Prayer” - dealing with the stages of contemplative prayer, distinguising it from mystical phenomenon. The beginings of contemplative prayer may be noted for what is called the prayer of simplicity, or the infused grace of the prayer of quiet.
I would never claim to be a contemplative, nor to have experienced contemplation. However, as Teresa of Avila noted, the Lord does indeed grant divine touches, proofs of his love, and tastes of the gift of prayer to draw souls after him in the way of prayer. God’s simplicity is often rather complex to our understanding.
Mystical prayer is more common than many realize; one always has a mystical experience in the reception of Holy Communion, and if one enters into recollection of the Eucharistic Christ within one’s soul in the quiet moments of thanksgiving, one has probably experienced mystical prayer/contemplation to some degree.
It is not at all uncommon for Our Lord to touch a soul with grace, or a pledge of his love, illuminating it, and thereby arousing love. This does not make a person a contemplative however, any more than visionaries who experience an apparition or locution are thereby mystics. Everything is a grace, and Our Lord will not be limited.
Most people who spend hours in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with simple loving attention to the Real Presence of Jesus, have most likely experienced the beginings of common mystic prayer - which is by definition contemplative prayer. That does not mean in the least that they have attained transforming union, which is indeed rare. I believe this is a gift one can only prepare oneself for, and few attain it because we are so attached to created things and the satisfactions of nature.
When Therese said prayer was the lifting up of the heart to God, she was desccribing a common mystical experience - which is truly a loving intercourse with God, whom we know loves us. Prayer is indeed that simple, although we are not - we complicate things with our knowledge, words, and apprehensions of God.
That is why the normal way of contemplative prayer has nothing to do with consolations, visions, transports, or satisfactions.
I’m no expert and certainly no contemplative, however, one cannot limit God or deny that he grants these graces to whom he wishes and when he wishes.
As for myself, I am far too vain and full of pride, self indulgence, contempt, jealousy and envy, sloth and indigence, to aspire to any typr of prayer but that of the Publican. Everyone who knows me knows this well.
Nevertheless, the Lord invites everyone to abide in him, in his love. As teresa said, “Prayer is the trapdoor out of sin.” And I say, all prayer is mystical.
May 3rd, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Contemplation is more common than some people realize…many have experienced it without knowing, and it can be much as Terry was describing. It is very much a gift to lead a soul into deeper communion with God.
The problems occurr when people try to analyze the experience, maybe make it into what it was not, or try to duplicate it, which can’t be done because it is like a kiss from God - loving, fleeting, and given for a purpose known only to God.
I would agree that most people do not attain the level of contemplation of the Saints, but there are many different levels.
I’m not there, either, but have experienced the fleeting moments here and there.
Contemplation is for EVERYONE, but it takes work to develop such a prayer life and soul in such union with God, and he won’t give such a great gift (speaking not of the little glimpses, but true contemplation) to a soul that is not prepared for it.
May 3rd, 2007 at 1:50 pm
Very good, Terry. God’s never been a miser with his gifts.
May 3rd, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I tend to analyze stuff too much. “What was that? Was that contemplation? Did I feel anything?” I did this so much with centering prayer I just gave up. Drove myself nuts! I’ve been enjoying the Ignatian exercises w/my spiritual advisor, a good & holy Jesuit. I like Julie’s description of contemplation being a fleeting kiss from God. I’ve had that. To be honest, my favorite prayer right now is Psalm 51. I think my heart is still too hardened from years of serious sin, & I’m still begging for that natural heart of flesh. What I wouldn’t give to be SENSITIZED again!
May 3rd, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Jeron,
You nailed it with the Centering prayer bit. That type of prayer is completely un-Catholic, and tries to enforce a type of union with God that leads exactly to what you’re describing, even as it may open the person up to spirits not of God.
Contemplative prayer cannot be attained through practice of a technique because it is pure gift.
Psalm 51 is great! Have you also read Psalm 139? That one gets me every time.
You are lucky to have a spiritual advisor…that’s a gift, too.
Oh, and read this - it will help you become “sensitized” again:
http://vultus.stblogs.org/2007/04/the_wounds_of_christ_appli ed_t.html