Many Catholics in search of contemplation don’t see the harm in incorporating mind-blanking techniques in their prayer life, but the opinion of the late renowned author and retreat master, Father Thomas Dubay, sheds a clear light on why this is never a good idea.In an interview that I had with Father Dubay years ago, he gives three simple reasons why mantra- and breath-based prayer techniques which are designed to induce an altered state, are not compatible with Christian prayer. This is especially true of techniques such as Centering prayer that combine Christian and non-Christian prayer techniques with the promise of achieving contemplation. According to Fr. Dubay, contemplative prayer cannot be achieved through techniques such as emptying the mind.
“First of all, it’s unnatural to empty the mind,” Father Dubay told me. “The mind is made to be in touch with reality. That’s why we have a mind, to be in touch with reality. It’s just an unnatural thing to do.
“Second, it flatly contradicts what Scripture says about prayer. For instance, the first two verses of the inspired book of prayer, Psalm 1, vs. 1 and 2 say ‘Happy the man who meditates on the word of the Lord day and night’ which is exactly the opposite of centering prayer.
“Third, it impedes beginners from getting to contemplative prayer because the way it actually happens is a deepening intimacy with the Trinity that takes place over time. ... And if you are in contemplative prayer, centering prayer is a hindrance, because if it’s real contemplative prayer, God is giving you the knowing, loving, desiring, thirsting, etc. and your method of trying to work with a mantra is impeding what He’s trying to give.”
This is because getting to contemplative prayer is a process that includes real steps through the different stages of prayer, all of which require ever deepening conversion.
“You don’t get intimate with God until you’re deeply converted, until you’ve gotten rid of mortal and venial sins, then go on to heroic virtue,” Father Dubay said. “You do not get to contemplative prayer until you are deeply converted.”
Because the sole object of Christian prayer is love of God and neighbor, it is not something that can ever be mastered by a method or technique. It requires an ascetical struggle and purification from one’s own sins because, as Jesus said, only the pure of heart shall see God.This ascetical struggle, which means striving to live the Gospel life ever more deeply, is intimately tied to the Christian prayer life. As one’s commitment to the Gospel deepens, so does their prayer life progress through four distinct stages of prayer. These stages begin with vocal prayer and advance into mental prayer and meditation, followed by acquired and then infused contemplation which culminates in transforming union with God.
Therefore, prayer and living the Gospel always move in tandem.
“Advancing communion with God does not happen in isolation from the rest of life,” Father Dubay writes in his book, Fire Within. “One’s whole behavior pattern is being transformed as prayer deepens. So true is this that if humility, patience, temperance, chastity and love for neighbor are not growing, neither is prayer growing.”
The Christian contemplative tradition, with its emphasis on growth in the interior life, cannot be combined with mind-blanking techniques found in Eastern religions. It would be like trying to find a life-giving seed inside an empty shell. When seeking authentic contemplative prayer, one must be willing to do the work of harvesting it.
© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace® http://www.womenofgrace.com
Send your New Age questions to newage@womenofgrace.com
