Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => The Sacred: Catholic Liturgy, Chant, Prayers => Topic started by: pious pigeon on February 06, 2018, 02:38:05 PM
-
Does anyone practice meditation or deep contemplation, and does anyone have advice on how to do it better?
Spiritual reading can offer food for thought, but without a complete understanding of an entire perspective of a saint or theologian, my meditations only go so far. I can comprehend their views only up to a certain point, and yet what I understand of their opinion will be through the light of my previous understanding of theology. In order to learn the spirituality of a mystic such as St Theresa of Avila there is a certain fluency in sentimentality that is needed for this "opening of the heart to God".
I view it as something that cannot happen without practice, and that is why I view prayer as a meeting of hearts, indeed the symbol of our illustrious society is two united hearts, not two united minds. Does anyone have any ques on how to achieve a union of the heart and soul with God?
-
I don't know if this will help you, but it works for me...
Go in a quiet room without contact with the outside world. Sometimes I light frankincense, turn out the lights and use only candle light to make it feel like I am in Church, in His presence.
Think about one specific event in the passion of our Lord and try to think about every detail of it, placing yourself there.
For instance, think about the soldier pounding one nail into Our Lord's hand; a hand withered by dehydration. Think of the pain his human body felt. Think of all the other injuries He had, in addition to this new torment. Think of our Blessed Mother watching, hearing every blow of the sledge hammer, hearing bones crack, seeing blood spew out, seeing the pain in the face of her son, seeing the sorrow in the faces of the believers and the hatred in the faces of the non believers. Things like that....
Sure opens my heart to the love He must have for me to suffer so much for me and to allow His Mother to suffer so much for me, and then to GIVE Her to us!
Good luck to you.