I will now try to finish what I started last Wednesday. Please forgive the delay.
In my personal use of the technique of hesychasm, I try to emulate the way the Desert Fathers practiced their contemplation. I say try because I often get sidetracked by daily life. But all day long, whenever it comes to mind, I silently repeat the Jesus prayer in synchrony with my breathing: as I inhale I recite in my mind, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,…” Then as I exhale, “have mercy on me, the sinner.” Tying it to my breathing helps me to remember to pray, and to expect God to speak to me in the depths of my heart.
This type of prayer is what Saint Paul was talking about when he wrote, “...Pray without ceasing….” It becomes the main form of prayer in my life whenever I am diligent enough to actually practice it. It does not do away with intercession, supplication, praise, or formal group prayer called liturgy. It is in addition to the regular forms of prayer that I have formed into my rule of prayer.
I also use the Jesus Prayer to quiet my mind before I center every day. Centering Prayer is a modern form of contemplation developed by Trappist monks in the middle of the Twentieth Century. In it one tries to listen to God and let Him have His way in one’s heart. On sits quiet and intent on loving God for twenty minutes. Every time the mind wanders from the intent of hearing God one recites a “sacred word” to remember one’s intent. My word is the Name of Jesus. One cannot find a more sacred word in the Christian faith.
So I follow my regular rule of daily and weekly prayer, center twice a day, and use the Jesus prayer throughout the day to keep my mind on the Lord. This may not be for you as it is for me. But I strongly recommend that each person establish his own rule to follow.
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