Jun 25, 2023·edited Jun 25, 2023Liked by Addison Hodges Hart
Great conversation! Thanks for sharing. Your most recent content has been very helpful to me—I’m a lifelong Catholic and have begun to explore the path of contemplative prayer over the past few years. I’ve always been devoted to the Christian intellectual tradition, but it suddenly dawned on me that, for all I knew about God, I didn’t know God very well. And so I found my way to the Jesus Prayer. I still make some of the errors you have described recently: thinking that reading books about contemplation is the same as sitting in silence, or feeling the pressure to construct a comprehensive metaphysical and doctrinal system. Your work has been very helpful along the way.
One perplexity remains for me in particular, though, especially when placing Christian contemplation in dialogue with traditions like Zen: from what I’ve learned so far, the Christian mystical tradition teaches that contemplation can lead to an experiential knowledge of God and perception of the immortal soul. How can the Christian approaching contemplative prayer be confident that what he encounters is God, when other traditions may use similar practices, but do not speak of (or outright deny) God and the soul/atman?
I’ll appreciate any insight you can share—you have already been an invaluable companion on the path.
To attempt an answer to your question (which, really, can only be answered by your continued practice), all I can say is that if you have enough confidence to practice contemplative prayer, you needn't worry about acquiring confidence. You're already "in the groove," so to speak. And, as I said in the podcast, seeking an "experience" -- even an "experience of God" -- isn't why we enter into silence and stillness. We "live and move and have our being" in God" (Acts 17:28), so he's there felt or unfelt. All you need do is remain attentive and not chase after your thoughts. Let them arise and disappear, but don't engage them. If they become a problem, use the Jesus Prayer to keep yourself centered. Encountering God is what you're doing with every breath, which is true whatever thoughts or feelings you're having. He's inescapable.
Regarding other religions, as I've said in earlier posts, all of them are entering "the temple" through different doors. They might not use the same language or concepts we do, but in Christian terms, they're coming into contact with the Logos (we know him as the Word made flesh in Christ). Other traditions may refer to the great source of reality as, say, Brahman or Tao, etc., or think of it in personal or impersonal terms, but we know it to be God. So, our confidence grows throughout our lives, our faith deepens, and we may have many trials to endure. But we keep on keeping on with our contemplation regularly.
I’ll admit that my practice is sometimes fueled by some existential anxiety about God and life beyond death—I get the urge to be certain that the teachings of our tradition on these matters are true. The temptation is always to run and find another stack of books or the right ideas to make the whole of reality fit inside my head.
But I suppose these are simply more thoughts and feelings to watch pass by? They are thorny for sure, but I’m hoping continued practice will help me see through them without engaging.
Sir, I am a subscriber to this substack and a long time contemplative who's orientation to such matters, I think, is not so dissimilar to your own. I recently set up a substack that you might find to be congruent with your published outlook here. As inclination and time permit you can access that at:
Great conversation! Thanks for sharing. Your most recent content has been very helpful to me—I’m a lifelong Catholic and have begun to explore the path of contemplative prayer over the past few years. I’ve always been devoted to the Christian intellectual tradition, but it suddenly dawned on me that, for all I knew about God, I didn’t know God very well. And so I found my way to the Jesus Prayer. I still make some of the errors you have described recently: thinking that reading books about contemplation is the same as sitting in silence, or feeling the pressure to construct a comprehensive metaphysical and doctrinal system. Your work has been very helpful along the way.
One perplexity remains for me in particular, though, especially when placing Christian contemplation in dialogue with traditions like Zen: from what I’ve learned so far, the Christian mystical tradition teaches that contemplation can lead to an experiential knowledge of God and perception of the immortal soul. How can the Christian approaching contemplative prayer be confident that what he encounters is God, when other traditions may use similar practices, but do not speak of (or outright deny) God and the soul/atman?
I’ll appreciate any insight you can share—you have already been an invaluable companion on the path.
Thank you for the comments.
To attempt an answer to your question (which, really, can only be answered by your continued practice), all I can say is that if you have enough confidence to practice contemplative prayer, you needn't worry about acquiring confidence. You're already "in the groove," so to speak. And, as I said in the podcast, seeking an "experience" -- even an "experience of God" -- isn't why we enter into silence and stillness. We "live and move and have our being" in God" (Acts 17:28), so he's there felt or unfelt. All you need do is remain attentive and not chase after your thoughts. Let them arise and disappear, but don't engage them. If they become a problem, use the Jesus Prayer to keep yourself centered. Encountering God is what you're doing with every breath, which is true whatever thoughts or feelings you're having. He's inescapable.
Regarding other religions, as I've said in earlier posts, all of them are entering "the temple" through different doors. They might not use the same language or concepts we do, but in Christian terms, they're coming into contact with the Logos (we know him as the Word made flesh in Christ). Other traditions may refer to the great source of reality as, say, Brahman or Tao, etc., or think of it in personal or impersonal terms, but we know it to be God. So, our confidence grows throughout our lives, our faith deepens, and we may have many trials to endure. But we keep on keeping on with our contemplation regularly.
I hope that helps a bit. Now I'll shut up.
This is very helpful—thank you so much.
I’ll admit that my practice is sometimes fueled by some existential anxiety about God and life beyond death—I get the urge to be certain that the teachings of our tradition on these matters are true. The temptation is always to run and find another stack of books or the right ideas to make the whole of reality fit inside my head.
But I suppose these are simply more thoughts and feelings to watch pass by? They are thorny for sure, but I’m hoping continued practice will help me see through them without engaging.
Sir, I am a subscriber to this substack and a long time contemplative who's orientation to such matters, I think, is not so dissimilar to your own. I recently set up a substack that you might find to be congruent with your published outlook here. As inclination and time permit you can access that at:
< https://bewilderedmind.substack.com/ > Regards, George Vockroth
Thank you. Yes, I like what I see. I'll gladly add your Substack page to my recommended list.
De nada!