WHAT IS THE CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER?

St. Teresa the great mystic says: "Contemplative prayer in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who know loves us." Contemplative prayer is the poor and humble surrender to the loving will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention  is fixed on the Lord himself. "I look at him and he looks at me": this is what St. John Vianney used to say while praying before the tabernacle. Contemplative prayer is is the pre-eminently intense time of prayer. In it the Father strengthens our inner being with power through his Spirit that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith and we may be rooted in love. In contemplation, the Holy trinity conforms man to his likeness.We come to know God in an ever more living and intimate manner which results in a closer and more fruitful union with him. 

[See CCC 2700-2724 ]

What is better: to pray or to meditate?

To arrive at perfection,says St. Bernard, we must meditate and pray: by meditation we see what we want; by prayer we receive what we want. Some people spend a great deal of time in reading and in meditating, but pay but little attention to prayer. there is no doubt that spiritual reading and meditation on the eternal truths, are very useful things, "but," says  St Augustine, "it is of much more use to pray." By reading and meditating we learn our duty; but by prayer we obtain the grace to do it."It is better to pray than to read: by reading we know what we ought to do; by prayer we receive what we ask." What is the use of knowing our duty, and then not doing it, but to make sure us more guilty in God's sight? We may read and meditate as we like, but we shall never satisfy our obligations, unless we ask of God the grace to fulfill them.                                                                                                          

Does Yoga Help Meditation?

The truth is that yoga is a system of Hindu philosophy which includes strict spiritual discipline, body harmony and the releasing of self-healing, energies to gain control over the forces of one's own being to attain union with the deity or the universal spirit. Mind-emptying techniques are not Christian prayer. This  type of prayer makes no sense in Christianity. There are also dangers involved in going into altered levels of consciousness.

The Catholic Church rejects nothing which is true and holy in other religions.She has sincere respect for their rules and teachings. However, she proclaims and must ever proclaim Christ, 'the way, the truth,and the life', in whom God has revealed himself, and in whom men find the fullness of religious life.

As Christians, we are not to practice non- Christian religions or mix in with ours (syncretism). When we practice syncretism, the line between truth and error becomes blurred. the pleasant experiences that result from these techniques can gradually start to replace the sacraments, and a person can loose sight of God as creator and Savior. The Lord loves people of all faiths. However, he wants us, as Christians, to look for opportunities to bring them to the True Faith.

The Vatican has released a document: "Jesus Christ, the Bearer of the Water and Life: A Christian Reflection on the New Age." which specifically identifies the following as New Age movements: Zen,Yoga, Enneagram, Wicca, the Higher Self, the True Self, ALC's, the "god within" and TM (Trascendental Meditation). Many of these beliefs or practices have made their way into personality development programs and workshops. Catholics attend these events trusting them to be good programs, However, the Vatican document states that these new age beliefs and  practices cannot be accepted by those who are faithful to Christ and his Church. They contain grave error, and their beliefs are contrary to the Catholic faith.

(1) How is Christian meditation practiced? (2) How is it different from other kinds of meditation?

(1) Christian meditation which is integral to spiritual growth consists of a rational examination of God's truths, commands, mysteries or events from Holy Scriptures. Cristian meditation is intent upon God and his Word; not as means to an end, but as an end in itself. Always to be with God in one's thoughts, to be in a state of constant prayer (meditation) is the kind of prayer which the saints were perfect in. "Happy the man who delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on his law day and night" ( Psalm 1:1-2).


(2) Occult meditation is a relaxation of the mind and senses. Its goal is an opened and emptied mind which gazes at nothing and waits for what it doesn't know. It strives towards philosophical enquiry and realization of oneness with the universe and God. The one who actively practices such meditation claims to be above desires or attachments to possessions. The Christians, on the other hand, in his meditation is mentally active and thoughtful, yet, striving towards peace and intimacy with the triune God. The psalmist captures this perfectly: "I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways. Make me understand the ways of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds. I have more understanding than all my teachers when your decrees are my meditation" (Psalm 119:15,27,99). The Christian, through prayer and meditation can better handle anxieties, trials and temptation.

Does the church have an approved means of meditation that can we use?

The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola which is a program of meditations, prayers, considerations, and contemplative practices can help Catholics become more fully alive in their faith. The Ignatian method of prayer uses visual imagination to draw nearer to God. These Exercises are divided into segments which focus upon a different theme-human sin; Christ's death on the cross; and Christ's risen life. A key theme throughout the Spiritual Exercises is discernment and the need to discern between good desires and evil desires in one's life.

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Does the Church have an approved means of meditation that we can use?

The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola which is a program of meditations, prayers,considerations, and contemplative practices can help Catholics become more fully alive in their faith. The Ignatian method of prayer uses visual imagination to draw nearer to God.

 These exercise are divided into segments which focus upon a different theme - human sin; Christ's life on earth, Christ's death on the cross and Christ risen life. A key theme throughout the Spiritual Exercises is discernment and the need to discern good desires and evil desires in one's life.

How is Personal Prayer Important for Spiritual Growth?

St Paul urges us to "pray constantly" (1Thes 5:17), but to make progress we must- first, foremost and always - set aside regular private time for personal prayer. Every spiritual master in the history of the Church has taught that holiness begins and ends in personal prayer - even if we participate in public liturgies or other group prayer - we will never draw close enough to the Lord.
Private, personal prayer is the way we open ourselves to grace by unmasking our hidden nature and revealing our true selves to God. In silent prayer we grow in faith. We are transformed.
 In this context, I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of lectio divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture

accomspanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with openness of heart.The ultimate goal of personal prayer is mystical union with God.