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2012 Series
Abiding in the Living Body of Christ –
Learning from Saints, Prophets and Spiritual
Guides who point the way

All events are on Saturdays from 10.00am - 1.00pm (unless indicated)
in North London. Advance booking is recommended

In the ‘prayer of the heart’ we seek first of all the deepest ground of our identity in God. We do not reason about dogmas of faith, or ‘the mysteries’. We seek rather to gain a direct existential grasp, a personal experience of the deepest truths of life and faith, finding ourselves in God’s truth. Inner certainty depends on purification. The dark night rectifies our deepest intentions. In the silence of this ‘night of faith’ we return to simplicity and sincerity of heart. We learn recollection which consists of listening for God’s will, in direction and simple attention to reality. Recollection is awareness of the unconditional. Prayer then means yearning for the simple presence of God, for a personal understanding of his word, for knowledge of his will and for capacity to hear and obey him. (1)

Thomas Merton, Contemplative Prayer, page 67

This is the aim and end of prayer, my daughters; this is the reason for the spiritual marriage, whose children are always good works. Works are the unmistakable sign that shows these favours come from God, as I told you. It will do us little good to be deeply recollected when alone, making acts of the virtues, planning and promising to do wonders in God's service, if afterwards, when occasion offers, I do just the opposite….…..Both Martha and Mary must entertain our Lord and keep Him as their Guest, nor must they be so inhospitable as to offer Him no food. How can Mary do this while she sits at His feet, if her sister does not help her? (2)

St Teresa of Avila, The Interior Castle, Seventh Mansion

1.

Contemplative Prayer, Image/Doubleday, New York, 1969, page 67

2.

The Interior Castle, Fount (Harper Collins) 1995, page 188,190.