Why is prayer a mystical experience?
What are the special characteristics of meditation?
What is the definition of Contemplative Prayer? Do you know of other definitions?
In which way is knowledge an aid to love? In what way could it be a hindrance?
Can love teach us more about the beloved than knowledge can?
Carol Ann: I think prayer is a mystical experience because it lifts us out of ourselves
Mar 18, 7:39 PM
Carroll (Guest): mystical experience = heart to heart
Carroll (Guest): … with God
Mar 18, 7:41 PM
VisitationSiste: Hi Ruth! Carroll- heart- to heart touches deeply into mystical prayer
Mar 18, 7:43 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes prayer lifts us out of ourselves into God and the eternal realm
Mar 18, 7:44 PM
VisitationSiste: What happens may not be apparent to our senses but our souls never leave prayer without a change or at least a touch of God
Mar 18, 7:44 PM
Jane (Guest): I am often moved to weeping or tears when I pray and it amazes me how that just spontaneously can occur
Mar 18, 7:44 PM
VisitationSiste: The gift of tears!
Mar 18, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: From the Holy Spirit
Mar 18, 7:45 PM
Carol Ann: Those are both gifts of the Holy Spirit Jane
Mar 18, 7:45 PM
Jane (Guest): What exactly is the gift of tears? I guess I can google it later
Mar 18, 7:45 PM
VisitationSiste: It is a charism of the Holy Spirit
Mar 18, 7:46 PM
Jane (Guest): Thank you
Mar 18, 7:46 PM
VisitationSiste: Sometimes the word mystical seems too out of reach but we are all “ordinary mystics” when we pray
Mar 18, 7:47 PM
Jane (Guest): Are there different levels/types of mystics?
Mar 18, 7:48 PM
VisitationSiste: Some people experience the touch of God in sensible ways but the more you love God and the deeper I think would bring you to a level where God might share more spiritual gifts with the pray-er
Mar 18, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: It is all His choice
Mar 18, 7:49 PM
VisitationSiste: The usual way we are taught to pray first is meditation
Mar 18, 7:49 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Funny, this afternoon I took a nap. Was sooooo tired and achy. I dreamt that I was at Adoration, my head touching a wooden tabernacle and praying so intensively that I was in tears — longing, loving — my whole body shaking. Afterward I walked back up a side aisle in my green hand-knit wool socks and stopped at a cross aisle where the was plenty of room to lean over and put on my socks. A priest came to me and asked if there was something that matter, something he could help with. The question confuse
Mar 18, 7:50 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): confused me — and was hard to hear clearly. Then I awoke.
Dawn (Guest): Ruth, an interesting dream
Mar 18, 7:54 PM
Carol Ann: Did you recognize the priest in your dream?
Mar 18, 7:54 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): No. He was new to that church, I think, or a visitor.
Mar 18, 7:55 PM
VisitationSiste: You know Ruth one can meditate on your dream
Mar 18, 7:55 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): I thought he must have thought I was very worried about something, in distress.. But It was just, I think, that I was so grateful to be there.
Mar 18, 7:55 PM
Carol Ann: because i had a similar dream once in which the priest knew me but i did not know him
Mar 18, 7:56 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Joseph paid attention to his dreams, and that gave Jesus and Mary, the security of his protective love.
Mar 18, 7:56 PM
Dawn (Guest): Mother, is it possible to have a mystical dream ?
Mar 18, 7:56 PM
VisitationSiste: Though usually we meditate on Scripture one can do so on one’s life or events, putting it in the perspective of God’s will or communication to us
Mar 18, 7:57 PM
VisitationSiste: I think so Dawn Depends on what one means
Mar 18, 7:58 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): The OT Joseph, protected his family too by rising to a position of authority by coming into the Pharaoh’s favor by interpreting his dreams.
Mar 18, 8:00 PM
VisitationSiste: It is interesting to think about interpreting the dreamvs meditation on the meaning of the dream- how different in approach would that really be
Mar 18, 8:01 PM
Carol Ann: it is two different ways to access information
Mar 18, 8:02 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Interesting, Carol Ann, and that must be why you asked if I knew the priest.
Mar 18, 8:02 PM
VisitationSiste: Meditation though should lead to a movement of the heart closer in love of God
Mar 18, 8:03 PM
Dawn (Guest): perhaps when you said on meditating Scripture, could do so on perspective of Gods will or communication to us. I think of this as mystical, or I wonderd this of Ruth, your dream … is God communicating to you
Mar 18, 8:03 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Maybe the priest in your dream, Carol Ann, was Jesus, who knows us, each one of us, far better than we know ourselves, and who knows us better than we know Him.
Mar 18, 8:03 PM
Carol Ann: i’ve spent years trying to figure out who it is
Mar 18, 8:04 PM
Carroll (Guest): Seems like when trying to interpret dreams, I would be relying on my own intellect or some method developed by another person. Meditating on the meaning of a dream, I would be waiting for the Holy Spirit to give me some sort of light regarding it, b ut also be content to not understand it any further, if that is God’s Will
Mar 18, 8:04 PM
Carol Ann: Ooh, could be, but i got the feeling that I should know him. he was having a conversation with two priests i did know about me
Mar 18, 8:05 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Dawn, your question, brought a tear and sign — emotional reaction. Like maybe. I’ve been resisting, perhaps, frequent little tugs toward contemplative life.
Carroll (Guest): God be praised!
Mar 18, 8:07 PM
VisitationSiste: That brings us into the point: what is contemplative prayer?
Mar 18, 8:07 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Good insight Carroll.
Mar 18, 8:09 PM
VisitationSiste: Contemplative life – does it assume contemplative prayer?
Mar 18, 8:09 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Not “sign” but “sigh”
Mar 18, 8:09 PM
Dawn (Guest): The essay ….I thought I understood Contemplation as union with God
Mar 18, 8:10 PM
Dawn (Guest): Ruth
Mar 18, 8:10 PM
VisitationSiste: Good!
Mar 18, 8:11 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): I would think so, Sister.
Mar 18, 8:12 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes a life of love, of God, and of one another, in God
Mar 18, 8:12 PM
Jane (Guest): Isnt contemplative prayer when you literally place yourself in the situation of which you are praying; like an observer wherein you experience all the senses
Mar 18, 8:13 PM
Carroll (Guest): I love the last paragraph in Chp.VI that lists hearing the Word of God, having “spiritual discourse and conference with others,”… ” reading, praying, meditating, conceiving good thoughts”- and doing all these things leading us to be more continuously attentive to God’s Presence and Goodness = contemplative life
Mar 18, 8:13 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Jane, I think that is one way to contemplate — though using your imagination in a Scripture story. Maybe even “try on” various rolls.
Mar 18, 8:14 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): God brought to me a dream with three parts many years ago . First part was that he was going to remove crime from our city , the second part was He was calling young Christians to rebuild our city , and the third pay was that He wanted to establish a whole new entertainment industry that would Honor Fod with all the content . God asked me to make a sacrifice . I have seen over the years God working in many ways . In Kairos I have seen Him change hearts and move Men crime leaders to Godly leaders and they ar
Mar 18, 8:14 PM
VisitationSiste: Usually today meditation is what they call what you are describing- discursive prayer. Contemplation can be a simple gaze on God
Mar 18, 8:14 PM
Carol Ann: that is truly amazing Brian
Mar 18, 8:14 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Honor God ! Sorry for typo
Mar 18, 8:14 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes Brian!
Mar 18, 8:14 PM
Carol Ann: and then God looking back at you
Mar 18, 8:15 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes!
Mar 18, 8:15 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Powerful, Brian.
Mar 18, 8:18 PM
VisitationSiste: Brian, how has this developed?
Mar 18, 8:18 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): It is amazing to drive down streets that were a mess and see these small businesses the young people have started , the churches in suburbs are helping the churches in the city , young people rebuilding neighborhoods ,
Mar 18, 8:19 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Brian, it seems to me that there is something very special going on in Buffalo. I have heard or read of similar “visions” of others — a Bishop or Archbishop of Buffalo, I think it was.
Mar 18, 8:20 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Churches and leaders working with police to reduce crime , wealthy Christians investing in projects that create long term jobs
Mar 18, 8:20 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Wonderful!
Mar 18, 8:20 PM
Carroll (Guest): What a beautiful testament to the Goodness of God!- Brian, you are such a great example of Love in action!
Mar 18, 8:21 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Even homeless people will tell you that is Soo much help available from different groups
Mar 18, 8:21 PM
VisitationSiste: Thank you for sharing this!
Mar 18, 8:22 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Yes, I think we are all called, in one way or another, to help renew the face of the Earth.
Mar 18, 8:22 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): With God’s help, of course.
Mar 18, 8:22 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): It’s Great to see the Body of Christ Working together to transform an entire City
Mar 18, 8:22 PM
Carol Ann: this is how it should be and how it could be everywhere
Mar 18, 8:23 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Indeed, Carol Ann.
Mar 18, 8:23 PM
Carroll (Guest): Sounds like many people cooperating with the prompts of the Holy Spirit!
Mar 18, 8:23 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Amen Carol Ann
Mar 18, 8:23 PM
Dawn (Guest): beautiful. how much hope this gives
Mar 18, 8:24 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): And aren’t you witnessing at least a little of the transformative power of people working together in the wake of the disasters in your area?
Mar 18, 8:24 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Improved communication between the Body of Christ just like this Chat has helped each of us
Mar 18, 8:25 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Carol Ann; I’m thinking of those angels with shovels!
Mar 18, 8:26 PM
Carol Ann: yes, there is a group of volunteers digging out homeowners because the county and state legally can’t do it. they are also digging out trees in parkland to keep them from drowning in the mud. There are others feeding this army for free, and where i volunteer the owner is also feeding first responders and those directly affected. And he;s doing it all by donation. Talk about loaves and fishes1
Mar 18, 8:26 PM
VisitationSiste: Like you said, love in action!
Mar 18, 8:26 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): God calls us to rebuild the waste places the desolation’s if many generations it’s happening in Buffalo
Mar 18, 8:26 PM
Carol Ann: Ah, yes, the superheros.. . they still look at me funny when i tell them that’s the classic St Michael image
Mar 18, 8:28 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): lol
Mar 18, 8:28 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Amen Carol Ann !!!
Mar 18, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: With tomorrow being the Solemnity of St Joseph- may God’s dreams for us and through us become realities!
Mar 18, 8:28 PM
Dawn (Guest): not up on actual areas, but where is south Bronx? somehow I put together a Fr Stan Fortuna, Franciscan frair, who records and uses proceeds to help the young and neighborhoods
Mar 18, 8:28 PM
VisitationSiste: It is part of NYC
Mar 18, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: A very impoverished area
Mar 18, 8:29 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Dreams please, not nightmares! \
Mar 18, 8:29 PM
Dawn (Guest): thank you, that is aways from Buffalo
Mar 18, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: about 15 miles from where I am .
Mar 18, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Yes!! DReams only
Mar 18, 8:29 PM
VisitationSiste: Blessings of the 5th week of Lent too!
Carol Ann: thank you so much, Sr Susan Marie!
Mar 18, 8:30 PM
Carroll (Guest): Amen! – Goodnight everyone, and thank you… Let’s pray for one another daily!
Mar 18, 8:30 PM
Jane (Guest): Blessings to all and enjoy the special feast and day in honor of St. Joseph tomorrow.
Mar 18, 8:30 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Only 15 miles! A long 15 miles with the traffic! Big city! But how did we get talking about South Bronx?
Mar 18, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: tomorrow is a special day!
Mar 18, 8:31 PM
Carol Ann: have a wonderful week, every one, and God bless us every one
Mar 18, 8:32 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Our retreat Saturday a week+ ago focused on St. Joseph — with the SSJ Associates.
Mar 18, 8:32 PM
Dawn (Guest): I asked as a priest works very much to record and use money to help that area. I wondered if it was close to where Brian was working.
Mar 18, 8:33 PM
Guest5730 (Guest): Keep Shining Everyone !!! Please pray for my daughter Lian !!! Returning to Buffalo in about three weeks . Loved job in Pittsburgh but is having great anxiety being away from friends and family !!! God Bless You All !!! Brian
Mar 18, 8:33 PM
Guest1825 (Guest): Music is coming from my computer — over Living Jesus Chat?
Mar 18, 8:33 PM
Carol Ann: Buffalo is in Upstate New York, near the great lakes.