Prayer, Frustrations, Multiple Spiritual Directors
Dan Burke and Melissa Elson answer questions about feelings in prayer, the meaning of contemplative prayer, frustrations in life, and having two spiritual directors.
Search Results for: Centering Prayer
Fr Anthony de Mello, Spiritual Direction, Discerning God’s Voice in Prayer
This week Dan and Melissa discuss a follow-up question about the writings of Father Anthony de Mello leading someone to the Catholic Church. Also, Dan answers questions regarding the need to disclose your past during spiritual direction, as well as discerning God’s voice in prayer.
6 Things Needed for Prayer
St Peter of Alcantara lists six things necessary to prayer in the book Finding God Through Meditation. How can we use these six things to begin a daily prayer routine?
Teresa of Avila on Silence in Prayer (Part II of III)
What do prayer and silence have to do with each other? How does this differ from centering prayer? And, what stages of prayer can we reach on our own? Learn from Connie Rossini as she explores Teresa of Avila’s teachings in Part II of this three-part series.
Should We Sit Quietly During Prayer? (Part I of III)
Should We Sit Quietly During Prayer? Part I of III Today I want to begin discussing misconceptions about the place of silence in prayer growth. Since we desire contemplation, should we sit still in prayer and wait for it? Should we try to make it happen by quieting our minds? This three-part series speaks to … Read more
Wisdom on Mental Prayer: 30 Days w/ Teresa of Avila Day 8
Wisdom on Mental Prayer 30 Days with Teresa of Avila – Reflections on Day 8 “Do not tire your brain by trying to work it during meditation.” – St. Teresa of Avila. Dan and Melissa look at progressive development in prayer and the spiritual life as they reflect on letters from St. Teresa in the book 30 Days with … Read more
St. Teresa, Should I Strive to Quiet My Mind During Prayer?
Dear Saint Teresa, I have read a number of books on prayer that advocate methods of suppressing, shutting down, or eliminating thinking altogether during prayer. In one centering prayer book, it said to “let your thoughts go” and that “thoughts are a normal part of prayer.” Even though the book claimed that it was not … Read more
What is the “Prayer of Simplicity”? (Part II of III)
…a reader asks: Dear Father John, I’ve heard that the prayer of simplicity is a kind of a bridge from meditation to contemplation. Can you help me to understand what this experience of prayer might be and how one might know that God is leading them down that path? In Part I, we discussed mental … Read more
How can I Avoid False Teachings on Prayer? (I of III)
How can I Avoid False Teachings on Prayer? (Part I of III) …A faithful follower of the Lord asks: Dear Dan, I enjoy reading more modern writers about prayer and the spiritual life but I am always worried about false teachings that could lead me away from the heart of the Church. How can I … Read more
God is Enough: The Ascent of Mt. Carmel
“Perfect detachment from all that is not God is what we will have in fullness in Heaven. So we should start actively seeking it now, here in this life.” – Glenn Dickinson
The Retreat that Never Ends: The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
“The spiritual life, our relationship with God, is eternal and never-ending. Similarly, the Spiritual Exercises have no ‘end’.” – Debra Black
Finding a Spiritual Director: Watch Out for Confused Sheep
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the early years of SpiritualDirection.com and is just as relevant today. We will be re-publishing some of our most engaging content here because we know it will be of great interest to those who are pursuing authentic spiritual direction and growth. Foundational to any sound … Read more
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 4 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 4 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 3 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 3 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 2 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 2 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 1 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
The Contemplative Rosary Pt. 1 With Connie Rossini on Divine Intimacy Radio
“A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary” Special Guest Fr. Edward Looney on Divine Intimacy Radio
“A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary” Special Guest Fr. Edward Looney on Divine Intimacy Radio
Coronavirus Fears, Response to Taking The Eucharist on the Hand, and Discerning Inner Voices – Divine Intimacy Radio
Coronavirus Fears, Response to Taking The Eucharist on the Hand, and Discerning Inner Voices
