Subject: Re: Jesus-prayer
From: Anna Safar (francoise@poczta.wp.pl)
Date: Sun Nov 05 2000 - 13:44:39 GMT
> \"Do not attempt it without some spiritual guide\"
Yes, but what are the dangers \"that cannot be exaggerated\" when you try to synchronize the prayer
with your heartbeat?
> So what are the inherent problems with the prayer of the heart?
> Hermitage. Selfish Spirituality.
> \"Zooey\" offers some explanation as to just why the prayer of the heart is
> dangerous. Take a look at what happens to Franny. She withdraws from
>everything that is important to her and makes herself ill practicing this
> prayer, throwing her mother into paroxysms of fear for her safety. For the
> prayer of the heart, if practiced improperly, sends a person into a desire
> for nothing else and a care for nothing but the prayer. Exactly as the
> pilgrim had done. But the pilgrim was a widower and a wanderer, so his
> practice of the prayer was appropriate for him. But Franny, who is neither?
Hmmm... I think Franny\'s neurosis is not because of the prayer. She\'s disappointed and tired of the
people around her and all their worldliness... well, my English ain\'t good enough to explain what I\'m
thinking of, but if you read Franny you know. The prayer is something she sees true and pure, and a
way to overcome the material world. Sure, she\'s on the wrong way with \"going home to have a nervous
breakdown\"... she misses the main point in the prayer and Jesus himself when she doesn\'t think of others
and can\'t see Jesus in everybody.
However the pilgrim tells about seeing the beauty in everybody. And Per-Olof Sjörgen says in his book on
the prayer that it is good for anyone in our 20th (21st) century life as well, to deepen their relationship
with God and people.
All the best,
Anna
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