A simple Approach to Contemplative prayer for the Laity
After having looked for a Catholic symbol that would be useful as a single focus during meditation. And faced with the struggle to teach Layperson how to do contemplative prayer. I found that the Sacred Heart was just such an image. So that a person meditating would find that the Sacred Heart was a focus of one. This is the key to why you can use the Sacred Heart to teach Catholics how to contemplate, using an approved image of the church, but yet useful in the meditation technique of focusing on one image. I will provide simple instructions below.
It is best to follow these instructions without adding to them or subtracting from them. I will give exact instructions on how to do this exercise to benefit from this form of prayer. First off, this is not about Thinking about the sacred heart in the sense of words, But rather about only thinking about the image of Jesus Heart. And it is not a reflection on the meaning of the Sacred Heart or discourse in theology. So no words interiorly or exteriorly. It also is not about what is happening to you, although you might want to ask yourself what you had experienced AFTER THE PRAYER. Such questions about what happened can actually help you to do better the next time. But while praying in this manner, try not to focus on what is happening and try keeping your mind on the heart of Jesus. This is not a prayer of petition, asking God for something you need. This is a prayer of openness, To what God wants to do with you. Although it is important to not focus on what God is doing, one needs to be open and allow God to do whatever he wants. Like Mother Mary “Be it done unto me according to thy will. So the prayer is Active in focussing on the Heart of Jesus, but yet passive in allowing the Holy Spirit to do what he wants.
Can you form an image in your mind of the Sacred Heart? If you are not one of those who can form an image in your mind, you can focus on a Sacred Heart picture. But again, we are only talking about focusing on His heart, not the entire picture. However, the context of the picture of it being Jesus’s heart is important.
The simple instructions
It is important to sit comfortably but not lounge (laziness is not good for focusing). If you are using your imagination to picture the Sacred Heart, put your mind on the image of Jesus’s heart. When you get distracted, and you lose your focus. Refocus your mind back on the image of Jesus’s Heart. During the course of prayer time, you might lose focus many times throughout your prayer time. Refocus, and keep putting your mind on Jesus’s Heart. And remember no words inside of yourself or outside. And don’t focus on what is happening but more so on Jesus’s heart. If you cannot form a picture inside your mind, use a picture to look at, And put your focus there, And apply the same techniques as taught above.
“Let’s pray”
Put your mind on his heart
After the prayer
What did I experience
1. Now you can ask yourself, What happened, Many will say I am so distracted, This is a good response because you learned something about yourself. Most people are very distracted with a constant barrage of thoughts and voices in their minds. This doesn’t mean you have failed. You are already becoming more aware of your own person, And you can continue to apply yourself to put your mind on Jesus’s heart when you do it again. You might find that you can focus just a little bit better the second time. So go ahead and try again with a little more effort of focusing upon His heart.
2. There are subtle indicators that God is present, Did you experience: what felt like the presence of God, A supernatural peace, A sense that God was loving you, comforting you, pouring his life in you, maybe a sense of joy, wellbeing, safety, a presence of holiness, sorrow for your sins, a sense of entering into a state of unknowing. some respond through tears, others excitement. These are some of the things one might experience when focusing upon Jesus’s heart.
3. Some people have experienced pictures, These can also be an indicator that God is present. They will see the Sacred heart doing things like beating, or bleeding, or maybe radiating light. Caution these are not visions of Ecstasy per se, Like Teresa of Avila, but are an indicator that God is present. Some people will hear Heartbeats, not only is this real but many saints have also heard heartbeats while focusing on the Sacred Heart. These signs often times are given to people to encourage them to take the journey of contemplation with the Sacred heart seriously. God in effect is saying come follow me.
4. Dryness in prayer. Whatever your experience is, it is never an experience to discourage you from applying yourself to this form of prayer. But rather to always keep in mind The cross, When setting out on such a prayer journey. In meditation and Contemplative prayer, there are times when one experiences dryness. This is not a negative thing, Because the lord is refining your faith. In other words, it is a normal part of seeking the Lord and how he purifies your faith. Faith is one of the three most important virtues; Faith, Hope, and Love. Our connection to God and your faith is strengthened and purified during times of Aridity in prayer.