Observations on Prayer of the Heart

seattlegal said:
The Cloud of Unknowing
Contemplative Prayer (From a Trappist Monk)
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Hey SL, thought I'd add that I find myself reaching a far more profound level now with this Hesychastic-style prayer of the heart than I have in all my years of Buddhist meditative practice but in the process reaching some of the same "places" such practice aims for relative to seeing the "self-" less nature of one's being. Now I don't at all necessarily conclude from that that the 2 forms will definitely ultimately take one to the same truths, but it does suggest that some truths are indeed found in mutiple traditions of practice, (if not dogma). Now, perhaps the reason that the prayer of the heart is getting me "there" more so has more to do with my newly found willingess to connect with old Christian roots as opposed to it being a "techique" thing-in fact I rather suppose that's it. Earl
 
GlorytoGod said:
well I could be wrong of course and I often am maybe it can be a christian practice,

but from what I read here http://www.hridayamyoga.org/papers/EssenceofPrayer.pdf posted on a yoga site ! , I wouldn't touch it, and I would urge Christians not to partake of any form of prayer that gets into kundalini, which is a yogic hindu practice.
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That particular site DOES NOT CORRECTLY DESCRIBE HESYCHASTIC PRAYER! It presents a mushy, syncretic "New Age" flavored alteration of Hesychastic prayer. I suggest contacting an Orthodox Christian priest if you want accurate information on the topic.
 
You are correct about that in that this particular individual was looking at a generic form of the prayer of the heart as opposed to the concrete specific form traditionally used by the Hesychasts. I only offered that as 1 useful introduction to the general method. If one wanted to follow that specific form, that information is rather easily located by internet search actually. Earl
 
Dogbrain said:
That particular site DOES NOT CORRECTLY DESCRIBE HESYCHASTIC PRAYER! It presents a mushy, syncretic "New Age" flavored alteration of Hesychastic prayer. I suggest contacting an Orthodox Christian priest if you want accurate information on the topic.
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thanks Dogbrain, what I read on that site was about Yoga Kundalini etc, not something Christians should touch IMO.
 
earl said:
If one wanted to follow that specific form, that information is rather easily located by internet search actually. Earl
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That's about like saying the way to conduct an appendectomy is "rather easily located by internet search".
 
lunamoth said:
Gosh, prayer is sounding so complicated I'm worried I'll never get the hang of it. ;)
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Lunamoth-so great to hear from you again! Oh my yes, pray only under the direct supervision of a certified Hesychast.;):D If we fear that we're doing "it" wrong, how in h--- er heaven are we ever going to have the simple, open receptive heart that seeks to commune with Christ and God? I'm tempted to go off on 1 of my rants again about "fear-based" Christianity, but God's telling me to refrain.;):D Earl
 
earl said:
Lunamoth-so great to hear from you again! Oh my yes, pray only under the direct supervision of a certified Hesychast.;):D If we fear that we're doing "it" wrong, how in h--- er heaven are we ever going to have the simple, open receptive heart that seeks to commune with Christ and God? I'm tempted to go off on 1 of my rants again about "fear-based" Christianity, but God's telling me to refrain.;):D Earl
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Hi earl, I'm enjoying your perspective as always. :)

<off-topic>You know, I was one of the voices who wanted to re-merge the liberal Christianity forum back with Christianity, and I've always felt bad that you (among other beloved friends) were on the other side of this. I'd just like to say that my intention was never to leave anyone out, but be more inclusive. To me, the division created an "us and them" mentality that I just don't associate with the Christian spirit. I'm sorry that it has not seemed to work out the way I hoped.

I think threads on any topic that touch Christianity are welcome in the Christiantiy forum, with the same caveat that applies throughout this forum: civility (if not respect :D) and refraining from personal attacks.

You might enter a church and have a heated debate with the rector, but it's really not conducive to dialogue to come in and spit on the altar. I think it is posts that are more like the spitting scenario that are not welcome in the Christainity forum, just as they're not welcome anywhere. And, it's a matter of opinion, I guess, exactly where the line is drawn between debate and crude attack. Personally I tend to err on the side of inclusion...but at times I've been sorry because the environment here can become too prickly and aggressive for my own tastes.

Anyway, this is all just my opinion as a member here, not as a mod. Thought I'd type it out since the subject has come up. </off-topic>
 
earl said:
If we fear that we're doing "it" wrong
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After all, anyone and everyone is equally qualified to practice medicine. Don't need to see a trained physician, just get everything you need off the internet.
 
lunamoth said:
Hi earl, I'm enjoying your perspective as always. :)

<off-topic>You know, I was one of the voices who wanted to re-merge the liberal Christianity forum back with Christianity, and I've always felt bad that you (among other beloved friends) were on the other side of this. I'd just like to say that my intention was never to leave anyone out, but be more inclusive. To me, the division created an "us and them" mentality that I just don't associate with the Christian spirit. I'm sorry that it has not seemed to work out the way I hoped.

I think threads on any topic that touch Christianity are welcome in the Christiantiy forum, with the same caveat that applies throughout this forum: civility (if not respect :D) and refraining from personal attacks.

You might enter a church and have a heated debate with the rector, but it's really not conducive to dialogue to come in and spit on the altar. I think it is posts that are more like the spitting scenario that are not welcome in the Christainity forum, just as they're not welcome anywhere. And, it's a matter of opinion, I guess, exactly where the line is drawn between debate and crude attack. Personally I tend to err on the side of inclusion...but at times I've been sorry because the environment here can become too prickly and aggressive for my own tastes.

Anyway, this is all just my opinion as a member here, not as a mod. Thought I'd type it out since the subject has come up. </off-topic>
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Actually, like Wil, I believe there should be only 1 Christian forum. But there were just times when it seemed that only certain discussion topics were going to be allowed however respectful the dialogue. Seems though that there's enough discussing room round these parts nowadays. So so far so good. As I've mentioned elsewhere, my current perspective on Christianity ironically is a bit more in tune with the conventional than it used to be. have a good one Luna. Earl
 
earl said:
Actually, like Wil, I believe there should be only 1 Christian forum. But there were just times when it seemed that only certain discussion topics were going to be allowed however respectful the dialogue. Seems though that there's enough discussing room round these parts nowadays. So so far so good. As I've mentioned elsewhere, my current perspective on Christianity ironically is a bit more in tune with the conventional than it used to be. have a good one Luna. Earl
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I hear you earl. There will be inconsistencies, and swings of the pendulum, as we're all human after all.

I think my tagline should be: embrace the mess. :D
 
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