How is our soul like a garden? How should we care for the garden of our soul? When we feel the presence of God in prayer, what should we do? Dan and Melissa look to the wisdom of the saints as they discuss answers to these questions in today's show.
Avila Institute - School of Spiritual Formation - Course descriptions. See "Foundations of Prayer and Union with God"
John 15:1-11 - The Vine and the Branches. "...I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. ..."
Spiritual Dictionary Terms used in this show - Definitions from Dan's book Navigating the Interior Life – Spiritual Direction and the Journey to God. Click on the word for the link to the definition.
Discursive Meditation – Also known as reflective prayer.
Philippians 4:8 - "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
Psalm 63 - "O God, you are my God—it is you I seek! For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, In a land parched, lifeless, and without water. ..."
How should we respond to experiencing God in prayer? What is "spiritual haze", where does it come from, and how should we properly deal with it? Dan and Melissa look to the wisdom of St Peter of Alcántara in the book Finding God Through Meditation as they discuss answers to these questions in today's show.
What does it mean to experience the presence of God in prayer, or following from prayer?
What should we do when the scriptural words of God affect us or move our hearts?
What is "spiritual haze"? Where does it come from?
How is the "noise" of daily life damaging to prayer?
How does the enemy use noise to distract us from spiritual awareness?
The need to regulate what we expose ourselves to outside of prayer.
The importance of silence in prayer life.
Luke 12:22-34 - Dependence on God - "He said to [his] disciples, 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or about your body and what you will wear. ....' "
John 14:1 - "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you" is referred to in every Mass. This reference may call to mind the rest of the verse: "Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
Luke 2:19, 51 - "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart." "...and his mother kept all these things in her heart."
What is the difference between meditation and contemplation? What does the transition between them look like? How will you know if you are ready for the transition, and how can you prepare for it? Dan and Melissa discuss when and how this transition takes place as they reflect on the book Finding God Through Meditation by St Peter of Alcántara.
What does it mean that meditation is a "transitional form of prayer"?
To what are you transitioning, and how?
What should you do when meditation no longer works for you?
What are the signs you are ready to transition from meditation to contemplation?
How long does it take to prepare for contemplative prayer?
How a spiritual director can help you understand the progression of your prayer life.
Aridity and Dryness in Prayer Series - A comprehensive listing of spiritual direction posts on this site regarding dryness, or aridity, and the difficulties this can cause with prayer. Some posts on the dark night which touch on dryness or aridity, are included as well.
The Dark Night of the Soul - St John of the Cross "God desires to withdraw them from this base manner of loving and lead them on to a higher degree of divine love. And...to liberate them from the lowly exercise of the senses...by which they go in search of him...inadequately...and lead them into the exercise of spirit, in which they become capable of a communion...that is more abundant and...free of imperfections." Dark Night 1, 8, 3 .