Day 14: Contemplative prayer, part I
While at work today, as part of an optional "wellness" session offered to employees, I got to spend an hour and a half learning about contemplative prayer meditation from a former Benedictine monk. We all got to spend the last 20 minutes of the session praying in silence...remember how much I love silence? And at work, no less? It was glorious! I felt so relaxed and peaceful after that.
And then I returned to my desk to find five new folders in my inbox. That made me laugh. Gotta love deadline week!
But, anyway, back to the contemplative prayer. Several months ago, when I started my covenanting at FirstLight, one of the spiritual-growth goals my pastor and I set for myself was to spend more time in "purposeful solitude." Thus, I decided to regularly engage in contemplative prayer during this time of solitude, and now it has become such a vital practice for me. I prefer lectio divina for this, but also do centering prayers at times, which is more along the lines of what we did today at work. And that was great, because I got to hear about another Christian's recommendations and reflections on contemplative prayer...someone much more experienced and wiser than I. What a great learning experience.
I got a chance to talk with him after the session and asked him about his experience as a monk. He said he joined a monastery in the early 1980s and stayed there for four years. He said it was a great experience, but he left because he felt he could live a spiritual, God-centered life without having to be in a monastery. And he said that, for him, he felt he could do more with his particular spiritual gifts by working outside the monastery and doing what he's doing now (which includes teaching about prayer and God, creating and performing worship music, and running a spiritual contemplative retreat with his wife). Very cool. I'll definitely be signing up for future sessions of his if/when those are offered.
As for today's session, here's a simplified version of what he taught us (by "us" I mean me and the 15 other people who also signed up for this session) about contemplative prayer:
- Create your own quiet place that will be your prayer area. This space can include an altar, cross, candles, etc.
- Set aside at least 15-20 minutes (each day) for time in silent prayer.
- Sit comfortably and breathe deeply but gently (try not to sound like Darth Vader while doing so).
- Place your hands together in your lap or with palms facing up.
- Start with a simple prayer of intention, asking God for guidance and healing during this time.
- Close your eyes and begin the mantra (the repetition, in your mind, of a sacred word of your choice, such as: Jesus; Emmanuel; Maranatha; Yahweh; Abba).
- Focus on your breath and get into a rhythm with the mantra repetition and inhalation, exhalation.
- You are not trying to make your mind go blank of thought. Handle thoughts with the four R's: (1) Resist no thoughts; (2) Retain no thoughts; (3) React emotionally to no thoughts (this does not mean to be emotionless, however, but just not to judge/react to emotions you may experience); (4) Return to your breathing and mantra.
- Finish your time in silence with prayers of petition and gratitude.
|