"Prayer is a dialogue with God. To pray we must either offer something to God or
St. Teresa of Avila warned people about trying to ignore all thoughts. “Taking it upon oneself to stop and suspend thought is what I mean should not be done; nor should we cease to work with the intellect, because otherwise we would be left like cold simpletons and be doing neither one thing nor the other. … Trying to keep the soul’s faculties busy and thinking you can make them be quiet is foolish.” (“Book of Her Life,” Ch. 12). In other words, God makes the mind be quiet when he gives the soul contemplation. Until then, we need to use the mind to think about God so that we might grow to love him better.
Centering prayer stands outside the Christian tradition. As I pray for the repose of Father Keating’s soul, I also pray for a revival of good teaching on deepening prayer."
Since I felt that Ms. Rossini fundamentally misunderstood aspects of centering prayer, I went looking for a more balanced take on it. I found Carl McColum's post on Patheos, Concerning Contemplative Prayer and Spiritual Xenophobia.
From that article:
"Contemplative spirituality is a spirituality in which, in the words of Richard Rohr, “everything belongs.” It’s a spirituality of inclusion, rather than exclusion. It seeks to build bridges rather than walls. To me, this is part of the towering beauty of contemplation. But we live in a world where not everyone sees things the same way, and contemplation, like anything else, has its critics. Generally speaking, my experience shows that the critics of Christian contemplation reject it for two reasons: 1) it is similar to, or has been influenced by, non-Christian spiritual practices, and 2) it is believed to be spiritually dangerous (i.e., contemplation renders one vulnerable to the influence of evil spirits)."
"....I do believe that most of the critics of Centering Prayer are either simply uninformed about its solid roots in the Catholic tradition, or else are so ideologically opposed to interreligious dialogue and practice that they refuse to see the grace that is so present in this form of prayer. Incidentally, the Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly commends for all the faithful to maintain a positive, appreciative and learning-oriented disposition toward other faiths, so the Centering-Prayer-haters are really exhibiting poor understanding not only of contemplation, but even of Catholicism itself."
My personal take on the subject is that prayer isn't "one size fits all". If a particular prayer form doesn't seem appropriate for you, choose something else. I find it interesting that both authors of the quoted articles use citations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church to support their positions. It is also interesting that in the same diocesan newspaper in which Ms. Rossini's article appears, there are several announcements of times and places for meetings of centering prayer groups. It seems unlikely that the archbishop would allow such announcements in the house publication if centering prayer were as sketchy and spiritually dangerous as some people seem to think.
I am not entirely sure what centering prayer is, but I do think it is spiritually good to try to clear one's mind. My mind tends to be racing all the time, not infrequently with anxious thoughts. This anxiety, in my view, is an obstacle to prayer. So if there is a way to calm the anxiety, that's probably a good thing. I find that I can do this, for example in the presence of the Eucharist (or if I am able to get some quiet time in a church, near the tabernacle). I think of it as a way to be in God's presence. If I'm "centering" in those moments, it's centering on God.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you posted this, Katherine, because it makes me realize that I need to do more of this in my prayer life. A large part of my prayer is liturgical. Nothing wrong with that, either, but it can be a little "wordy" (and even "singy") - not necessarily contemplative.
Jim, I am prone to distractions, in centering prayer, and any other kind of prayer. I'm not particularly good at it. But I guess the idea is to persevere.
DeleteIt just seems weird to me that discussion of a type of prayer plays out along the fault lines in the church. I notice that the author of the first article I quoted from has published a book entitled "Is Centering Prayer Catholic?" It seems that her answer to that is a resounding "no". I also see that her publisher is ETWN. It shows me that I have fallen into a bit of polarization myself when I roll my eyes and think, "'nuff said."
"I also see that her publisher is ETWN. It shows me that I have fallen into a bit of polarization myself when I roll my eyes and think, "'nuff said.""
DeleteI think we can dislike that an organization like EWTN has become so partisan and church-political - whether that means church-conservative or church-liberal - without falling into the same trap ourselves. Disunity is bad regardless of which direction one looks at it.
I rue that diocesan newspapers tend to run content from these church-conservative partisan organizations. As you say, there should be nothing particularly divisive about prayer. Can't someone write about prayer without reinforcing the church's divisions?
Maybe my memory is faulty, but it didn't seem to me that EWTN was as partisan early on; that it has gone that way more lately.
DeleteI agree that we shouldn't be divisive about prayer.
I should give other folks here credit for knowing more about EWTN than I do; like Fox News, I almost never watch it. It first appeared on my radar sometime in the 1990s. In my view, it hitched its wagon to two horses:
Delete* John Paul II
* Mother Angelica, who reminded me of my great-aunts crabbing about how the church has gone to hell in a handbasket.
If those aren't precisely politically divisive, then maybe I'm off-base in describing EWTN as partisan. I perceive them as part of the "conservative" wing of the church - sufficiently conservative that they think that many aspects of the church require reform. My impression is that by "reform" they mean that a lot of church ministers and employees should be fired and the liturgical reforms of Vatican II should be ripped up and started over again from scratch.
Maybe EWTN has changed since then. I couldn't tell you the last time I turned it on. I'm not much for religious programming in general. Sorry to say, I think spirituality via the media is kind of weird.
The last time I watched much EWTN was when I was laid up recovering from a car wreck back in '95. It was a good incentive to get well and do something more productive than watch tv!
DeleteEWTN does feature its "news director" Raymond Arroyo conspicuously. Was the anchor for Pope Francis's visit to the United States and spent most of the time assuring us the pope wasn't saying anything new. He is semi-regular on Fox, and Tucker Carlson of Fox has appeared on Arroyo's EWTN show. Laura Ingraham, who is Anne Coulter on dumb pills, is also back-and-forth between outlets. It's a nice, cozy trio supporting, among other things, Cardinal Vigano's assault on the papacy.
DeleteMy suspicions about both authors: First, they appear to make their livings based upon their differing viewpoints; both have blogs and sell books based upon their opinions. Second, they both try to wrap themselves in the authority of the Catechism. McColman gives more evidence of understanding both Eastern and Christian spirituality.
ReplyDeleteThere is a long history in the USA of people becoming interested in Eastern Spirituality, especially the mental practices (e.g. Transcendental Meditation) and physical practices (e.g. yoga) that are associated with various religious traditions. Both the people from the East who come here, and their disciples here often lift these spiritual practices out of their quite varied religious backgrounds, i.e. they are the equivalent of Protestant and even Enlightenment versions of Eastern religions. I rather doubt that many priests or bishops have the intellectual backgrounds to understand the history of Christian spirituality let alone Eastern Religions and Spirituality including their varied forms in the USA.
Before he entered the monastery, Merton was interested in Eastern Spirituality; his Eastern guru advised him quite rightly to investigate the riches of Christian spirituality first. And Merton spent much of his life exploring the history and riches of monastic spirituality. Of course Eastern Christian spirituality had from early on various mental and physical practices that aided prayer, e.g. breathing, the “Jesus” prayer, lectio divina, etc. Merton continued his dialogue with Eastern Spirituality throughout his life, and died on a trip to the East to continue that exploration and dialogue. But he always emphasized the importance of all traditions rooting themselves more deeply in their self-understanding at the same time they tried to expand their understanding of each other traditions. No simple relativism or affirmations that we are all doing the same thing.
“Every moment and every event of every man’s life on earth plants something in his soul. For just as the wind carriers thousands of winged seeds, so each moment brings with it germs of spiritual vitality that come to rest imperceptibly in the minds and wills of men. Most of these unnumbered seeds perish and are lost, because men are not prepared to receive them for such seeds as these cannot spring up anywhere except in the good soil of freedom spontaneity and love” Merton. Seeds of Contemplation
I agree with Merton that our response has less to do with words or absence of words, but rather with freedom, spontaneity and love. And therefore we can enter into contemplation anywhere at anytime. IF we are spending a lot of time with prayer words or centering practices we are likely missing the germs of spirituality vitality that surround us.
Jack, good point about both authors having a vested interest in promoting their own viewpoints. And there's a lot of "wrapping oneself in the Catechism" going around. The Catechism is a valuable work of reference. But I dislike seeing people using it to proof-text as much as I dislike proof-texting out of Scripture.
DeleteAlso thanks for that wonderful quote from Merton, "Every moment and every event of every man's life on earth plants something in his soul..."
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46. "Be still for the presence of the Lord..." pretty good hymn. Rahner says when you keep going deeper and deeper inside yourself you reach a place where there is nothing, and God is there. St. Teresa wrote in her autobiography (the only book of hers I've read) of times when she was not in control. John of the Cross (whom I have read) provides doorways and metaphors to get you to this deep space.
ReplyDeleteAs a member of the Brothers of Perpetual Distraction, I know where I am trying to go, but I am only now starting to get good at meditation. I've fooled with Centering Prayer based on reading, but not in a systematic way. We had a group of pretty well-centered people in our parish who did it for awhile together, but I had a conflict on their night. I don't know how clearing away the clutter that is my mental processes can do anything but make room for God, no matter how you call it.
My suspicion is that Ms. Rossini spends too much time being afraid of ISIS. Lot of that going around these days.
Tom, that describes me as well, doing Centering Prayer not in a systemic way, but based on reading. I too am a member of the Brothers (and sisters) of Perpetual Distraction.
DeleteI got the impression that Ms. Rossini is more afraid of Isis than ISIS; anything Eastern, pagan, or New Age. Not that one shouldn't be prudent and cautious. But there are things we Christians hold in common with other belief systems.
Right. Both ISIS and Isis. It's not the way we did it at Our Lady of the Angels up North.
DeleteHoo boy, a case of Church Lady-itis! They love to tell people the "correct" way to pray.
ReplyDeleteI do yoga for for geezers for strength and balance. I have a stationary "bike to nowhere" for circulation. These offer some anxiety relief, I presume because of the activity.
Prayer-wise, I sing a hymn every day, and try to articulate my gratitude and worries as I go through the day. Some days I light a candle to St. Martha and ask her to help me burn up the unproductive anxieties in the flame. Sometimes I ask St. Francis and his wolf to bless animals I encounter, including my stupid cats.
I often feel I should be praying to be a nicer person, but St. Jerome says that being nice is overrated.
These practices make me feel that I am embraced by the communion of saints. I don't feel the need to justify them to anyone.
Jean, I had to laugh about "church lady-itis", as well as St. Jerome, the famously curmudgeonly saint. Coincidentally, DH and I are doing a presentation this evening on the saints for our parish's evangelization group. Might have to use some of the ideas you mentioned.
DeleteThey should write a TM, a technical manual like the Army has (or had) defining the right way to pray.
DeleteStep 1: Place knees on floor.
Step 2: Press palms and fingers of both hands together, fingers at a 42° angle with respect to horizontal.
and so on
I laud your efforts! I have many "favorite" saints. Without them, we might as well be Protestants. They are our inspiration and encouragement, the ones who pray for us when we can't pray ourselves, who know what it is like to struggle with doubts and screw up, the ones who have a seat they've saved at the Table for us in case we make it all the way up.
DeleteLast week alone, St. Anthony found a disappeared pair of $50 sunglasses in a mountain of yard waste and found a missing rosary where it had never been before. The guy deserves all the credit he gets.
DeleteStanley, true story:
DeleteThe Church Ladies gave First Communion kids hell for making the sign of the cross "wrong." Touch all four points with thumb and first two fingers together, don't go down as far as your belly button, wide.in the shoulders, don't make it.look like you're swatting flies, blah blah. There was a diagram.
I don't think these people had little boys. Certainly they were not prepared for the hilarity that ensued after the little monsters were required to practice this several times.
None of the kids could explain why they were making the sign of the cross in the first place.
Sad sad sad.
Unbelievable, but true, no doubt. John Michael Talbot ("And Holy Is His Name") says the church ladies do it backwards anyway. They got it from the Germans who mirror-imaged the evangelists who tried to teach them the sign of the cross. Since it was a mirror image, it was backwards. And the backwards way of doing it spread across the western world. Pass that on to the church ladies. Then duck.
DeleteAll these years I've been doing it wrong...
DeleteThe Orthodox go to the right shoulder first. I found this explanation:
DeleteThe act of "Placing the cross on oneself" is a request for a blessing from God. We make if from right to left to mirror the actions of the priest when he blesses us. The priest, looking at the parishioners, blesses from left to right. Therefore, the parishioners, putting on the sign of the cross on themselves, do it from right to left.
Because the Lord separated the sheep from the goats, putting the faithful sheep on His right side, and the goats on the left, the Church always treats the right side as the preferred side. We only cross ourselves with our RIGHT hand.
I think I mentioned something before about praying for a Lexus. I must have gotten the idea from Janis Joplin.
ReplyDelete"Oh Lord, wontcha buy me a Mercedes Benz........"
My mother-in-law, bless her, told us about the time she rescued a little dog and found its owner. She had been praying for the money to have an operation for her own dog, and the reward for returning the stray WAS EXACTLY THE AMOUNT AS SHE NEEDED FOR HECTOR'S OPERATION!!
DeleteAnd that's because when the stray's owner showed up, Ma said, "You have such a nice little dog. I have a nice little dog, too, but he'll die without a $200 operation."
Also, Ma and her dog reward turned out to be the plot of that movie, "Seven Psychopaths," in which Christopher Walken kidnaps rich people's dogs and then returns them for the reward.
Sorry, too much time on my hands today. Waiting for calls from the insurance company. No amount of prayer is going to make them go away.
Just finished catching up with the Sass threat to try to excuse my coastal eliteness tendencies.
ReplyDeleteAm I the only one who has ever practiced CP here? I will relate my experience, but it may be very different from someone else's.
During the summer of 2000, a period of high emotional distress. I saw a notice about CP in the bulletin and decided to go. When I walked in the door where the CP group was meeting on a hot and sultry DC summer evening, I felt instantly that I had been led there by the Holy Spirit. It is one of the moments seared in my memory, every detail. The people there, where they were sitting, the table with the candle, the picture of the Laughing Jesus on the wall. For a doubter like me, saying that I was led there by the Spirit is big stuff.
For the first 3 years, I felt I was walking through a desert, in the dark. Like the Sahara - vast emptiness and darkness. I also realized after a while that each person in the group was guiding me through the desert at separate times. I felt I was being handed off from one guide to the next. Each person had something to teach me. Eventually I began to see the dawn on the horizon. I would literally see it in my mind when I prayed (centered).
The anti-CP stuff has been around a long time. They don't understand it, or what Keating set out to do - to restore ancient christian prayer practice that had pretty much been abandoned as far as teaching it to anyone who did not live in an abbey.
EWTN condemned practitioners of CP and I guess they still do. Just like yoga. For 99% of Americans yoga is stretching exercise.
Yes, the point of CP is to be still. I heard Richard Rohr speak several times and when I need to calm down, I listen to some of his talks on old cassette tapes that I have. He often started his talks like this:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am
Be still and know
Be still
CP groups differ in how they do things, and it's sometimes necessary to visit several groups to find the right fit. In the groups I belonged to the first step was to quiet ourselves in body and mind. We did slow stretching exercises to quiet the body, and then slow breaths in through the nose, hold, breathe out slowly through the mouth. I do it sometimes when I am upset and it helps me. Maybe not everyone.
Then usually there was a reading from scripture, or a formal prayer, or lectio, or a passage from a spiritual writer. Turn down lights, light candle, sit back, close eyes and be still for 20 minutes. Few can immediately become still even after years of practice. Even with practice, after becoming still, most find the mind wandering. Most people who try CP quit too soon. They think they are failing because the monkey mind keeps chattering away. They are not failing. They need to be patient, to persist, and gradually they may find themselves for a few minutes sitting in stillness, no chattering, listening to God's whisper. I never get that for more than a few minutes at a time, but it is worth the effort - at least for me.
Jim your monkey mind is true of most. So – the sacred word. Everyone chooses their own sacred word. It can be Jesus, or Peace, or Hope, or the Jesus Prayer. Whatever works. Mine is Trust ( Proverbs 3:5-6). The sacred word is used when the mind wanders to the grocery list, and the errands, or the worries about the project at work. When you realize the mind is chattering again, you repeat the sacred word until the mind quiets again.
The purpose of quieting the mind is to be able to HEAR God. Most prayers involve talking TO God. Thanking him, petitioning him, worshiping him. It tends to be one way and often is me-centered. Anne Lamott said only three prayers are really needed - Help me, Help me. Help me! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. Wow! (Wow! = praise)
When sitting in silence one can sometimes hear God's voice, feel God's presence. Jim and Katherine may feel God's presence in liturgy. I never did but I have in Centering Prayer.
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Anne, I think you are right that most people give up too soon. Important point, that "...The purpose of quieting the mind is to HEAR God." I think what ypu said about your group starting out with a Scripture reading or spoken prayer is important also. This certainly doesn't sound like an esoteric practice foreign to the Christian tradition.
DeleteI do find God in the spoken liturgy, but as a communal thing, and that's important, too. In receiving the Eucharist it's an individual encounter with Christ. But personal prayer is a conversation, and it's one sided if we don't spend time listening.
Tom, I'm not big on praying to saints, I will admit that I "believe" in St. Anthony. He has almost never let me down even under almost impossible circumstances. So, if he's real, maybe the others are too.
ReplyDeleteJean, I wish St. Jude would come through for you.
What, for the cancer or for my hopeless spiritual condition? :-)
DeleteMy basic problem is that I never accept anything without arguing with it. I spent the first six months in AlAnon arguing with the premises of the program (which were, after all, though up by Bill W., a drunk). I wouldn't marry Raber until he could articulate some reason he wanted to be married besides "love," whatever that is. I argued with the people who insisted I needed to get my kid circumcised (or not). And so forth.
I have been demanding answers of God pretty much my whole life: Why did I have alcoholic parents? Why did I have two miscarriages? Why do you send people to hell for getting abortions when they're going to die of pregnancy-related conditions? Why did you make idiots who elect other idiots for president?
I don't expect I will change now. Maybe I don't want to.