Posted by verne on September 4, 2004, at 11:50:28
I'm hoping to start meditating on a more regular basis. I've been flip-flopping over the years between transcendental meditation and centering prayer. Also considering zen or something along the lines of what Eknath Easwaran recommends.
One project I never seem to get to is to read "The Collected Works of St. John of the Cross" - especially "Dark Night of the Soul" and "Ascent of Mount Carmel". I know he describes the different levels of meditation but I hope to learn how with a closer read. I had only read bits here and there before. But I'm having trouble settling down to read much of anything at all right now.
TM worked for me at first but a pentecostal church got a hold of me and "exorcised" me - more than once. Doing TM and being mentally ill was an especially bad combination in their eyes. Now when I return to TM it doesn't seem as effective - could have something to do with uprooting the mantra.
I have a few books on different forms of "Centering Prayer" but I can't get into them. I'm too agoraphobic to attend any sort of classes or retreats - which still involve people and traveling. I'm in a rut. Haven't been off my property for months - except to go to the doctor and the occasional grocery trip. (even that is an ordeal)
Anyone have any suggestions, books, videos, ideas about centering prayer?
Verne
poster:verne
thread:386361
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040729/msgs/386361.html