From time to time, all Carmelites struggle with the required periods of mental prayer. We may even struggle for long periods of time, even for many years. The Teresian prayer that we strive to practice is the Prayer of Recollection. However, there are many misconceptions about this prayer, and these misconceptions can make our … Continue reading Mental Prayer, Prayer of Recollection, and Prayer of Quiet
Tag: St. Teresa of Avila
The Beauty of the Lord
One characteristic of a deep prayer life is a sincere appreciation of and longing for true beauty. In the Hebrew Scriptures, God is associated with the idea of beauty. This longing for the beauty of the Lord is expressed in Ps. 27: 4: One thing I ask of the Lord that I will seek after: … Continue reading The Beauty of the Lord
The Gift of Freedom in Prayer
St. Teresa of Jesus (Avila) is well known for her writings on prayer. She recognized our real need for freedom in our prayer lives. This freedom is one of her greatest gifts to us, and at the same time, it can be a real challenge. The general way of praying recommended by St. Teresa is known … Continue reading The Gift of Freedom in Prayer
Martha vs. Mary
Today is the feast day of St. Martha, who sparked countless debates down through the ages about the merits of the active life vs. the contemplative life. St. Thomas Aquinas believed the contemplative life was superior, based on the passage in Luke 10:38-42 where Martha complains about Mary for sitting at the Master's feet while she … Continue reading Martha vs. Mary
Reflections from Carmel 