The regular practice of contemplative prayer initiates a healing process that might be called the "divine therapy." The level of deep rest accessed during the prayer periods loosens up the hardpan around the emotional weeds stored in the unconscious, of which the body seems to be the warehouse. The psyche begins to evacuate spontaneously the undigested emotional material of a lifetime, opening up new space forself-knowledge, freedom of choice, and the discovery of the divine presence within. As a consequence, a growing trust in God, a bondingwith the Divine Therapist, enables us to endure the process.Keating, Thomas. Invitation to Love (New York: Continuum, 1996).
4 comments:
Good quote, Andrew. Yes, we need that quietness before God.
Looks like I'll be getting a 1978 Australian Book of Common Prayer quite soon. Through a friend. They're hard to come by. He, a seminary professor, and actually brilliant, uses it in public, while I think he uses the 1662 version daily in his prayers.
Ted, I so happy that you'll be getting the 78 Aussie BCP. You may want to complement your BCP with a Church Year calendar; I get mine from Ashby Calendars at http://www.ashbypublishing.com/html/episcopal.html
Let me know when it arrives!
Andy, you are truly a vessel used by God. I experienced something so akin to your post this week that it almost defies explanation. Thank you for being such a good listener - clearly our heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit know that they can speak to you and you will not only listen but relay what you hear to the rest of us who struggle.
Danielle, I'm so glad that God is being good to you in your contemplative life , and I'm encouraged by your words. As the days, months, and years go by in regular and deeper contemplative prayer, all that which somehow defies explanation will continue to find articulation in our hearts, even if we're not always able to put everything into words. But we try, don't we?
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