
The Monastic Call and the Problem of New Age Influence, Part 2
The Jesus Prayer, not a Mantra.
‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
The traditional Jesus Prayer, (one form of continual attention) gives us a protection against methods that could be disconnected from who He is in us. It is the inner invocation of His Holy Name and comes from a deep love and devotion to Him.
The beauty of the Jesus Prayer is that His Name becomes the main thought in our minds and hearts, and it is really the opposite of having an empty mind, as new age philosophy promotes.
Through His Name, we have a renewed mind that flows in His thoughts (1 Cor. 2: 16), and we keep our minds stayed on Him as a Person, and on the Holy Trinity (Isaiah 26:3). His Name comes to dwell in us and becomes a constant presence. Through the invocation of the Holy Name we approach the fulfilling of 1 Thess. 5:17, ‘Pray without ceasing.’
Techniques that incorporate the concept of a ‘mantra’ should be avoided, they are not Biblically-based, nor focused on communion with Christ personally, but relate more to new age techniques or non-Christian religions. Much of the centering prayer movement also seems to be very technique-oriented.
Here is a quote from something written to me by a friend who has the gift of discernment in these matters:
“I think I have two reasons why I am uncomfortable using the word ‘mantra’. For one, it is a distinctly non-Christian term, borrowed from non-theocentric practices. It refers to a word given to one who is trying to empty his/her mind and simply become ‘mindful’. At a higher level it is used by those who are trying to ‘connect with themselves’, or with a ‘higher power’ in the universe. This may all sound very noble, but it comes from spiritual systems that quite often deny the existence of a personal God. And, if they do believe in ‘god’, they do not acknowledge the one true God as revealed to the world in Jesus Christ. As a Christian, during contemplative prayer I may use an anchoring word, or phrase, but the purpose is totally different. This brings me to the second reason why I prefer not to use the word ‘mantra’. I am not trying to simply get in touch with myself,or a Higher Power, or the Universe. I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit lives within me. Almighty God is my loving Heavenly Father. There is nothing ethereal about it. I am a real person in communion with a real triune God.” ~Used by permission.
These words from my friend speak so profoundly to this issue. Closely relating to the Jesus Prayer is dwelling on the Lord’s prayer (or some other verses of Scripture that have been quickened to us). It is very good to memorize Scripture, and the Holy Spirit will spontaneously quicken our minds with these verses. The renewed mind is drawn to dwelling in Scripture as its environment of life. This form of prayer is also called Lectio Divina (Divine Reading or praying the Scriptures), an absorbing of the Word and dwelling upon it, and waiting upon the Lord to speak to our hearts. Sometimes these forms of prayer will be experienced as intercessory prayer. As you are praying, you may find certain individuals come to you and a sense of prayer for them. This can be practiced at any time, while driving, waiting, or other times that you may think are wasted.
The Cross is the Key.
The monastic life, and indeed any serious Christian life, is one of a deep discipleship, the taking up of the Cross, not the development of self, or self-affirmation, or self-exploration as the new age philosophy is.
The embrace of the Cross, the love of the Cross, because it is the manifestation of who He is, this is the witness we are called to give. ‘Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me’ - Mark 8:34. This is going to mean something different for every person.
In our society, it isn't really a question of deprivation or abject poverty for most people, but the asceticism (or self-denial) of simplicity. Seeking to remain simple and transparent before God is a form of asceticism that we must desire in the midst of the great material wealth we live in culturally. We should think twice about any teaching on prayer that is not based on taking up of our Cross and denial of the self-life. This includes the realization that in ourselves, we are unable to attain anything, we find our place in the life of prayer in abiding at the foot of the Cross in the knowledge that in ourselves we can do nothing, even prayer itself must be from the divine source of life. ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God’ - Colossians 3: 1 – 3.
...end of article. (See part 1 to read the complete article.)
~January, 2007. written by Susan Stanley (Sr. Brigid)