Subject: RE: Jesus-prayer
From: Amber Raley (araley@agnesscott.edu)
Date: Wed Nov 15 2000 - 15:04:27 GMT
Very good words Cecilia. I did a presentation/speech today in my
Comparative Mysticism course where I discussed at length the mysticism of
Way of a Pilgrim and his way of praying without ceasing. One other thing
that I think Franny lacks is an initial spiritual guide. As in Zen Buddism
and several other traditions, the pilgrim has Starets to guide him in the
beginning so that he does not lose sight of the ultimate goal, which is to
keep the thought of Jesus with him at all times. Perhaps with the correct
spiritual leader (a living Seymore perhaps?) Franny would have been able to
see her motives in saying the prayer and either discontinued the practice or
ammended her goal. Just a little speculation.
A Long Lurking Fish,
Amber
-----Original Message-----
From: Cecilia Baader
To:
Sent: 11/8/2000 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: Jesus-prayer
Anna Safar wrote:
>Hmmm... I think Franny\'s neurosis is not because of the prayer.
Oh, absolutely. And I think that's Zooey's point. She's not doing it
for
the right reasons. Franny decides to do the prayer of the heart because
she
wants to dump everything else.
She's tired of ego, ego, ego and boyfriends who write papers that might
get
published and settles upon the Jesus Prayer as a way to retreat from it
all.
The danger of the prayer is for those who go into it for the wrong
reasons.
If you have running sores all over your body but go on with your
business as
if they don't exist, they'll fester and when you do finally face the
truth
of their existence, they'll be even more difficult to eradicate. The
Jesus
Prayer only works if you're doing it in an honest attempt to become
closer
to God rather than Franny's more selfish reasons.
"Zooey" is such a masterpiece in that respect (and in a thousand
others).
It's funny, though. I keep thinking that Salinger forgot his own
lesson.
Regards,
Cecilia.
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