Meditation and Contemplation An Ignatian Guide to Praying with Scripture

by Gallagher, Timothy M., OMV

• ISBN13: 9780824524883
• ISBN10: 0824524888
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-09-01
• Publisher: Crossroad

Summary

The cornerstones of Ignatius of Loyola's spiritual practicemeditation and contemplationare clearly explained in this simple guide to the Ignatian method with examples from the experience of practitioners and quotations from Catholic spiritual teachers. In the process, the deeper structure of the spiritual practice is illuminated, and advice about adapting it to individual needs is offered. Topics include methods of praying, struggles and growth, and the importance and role of grace. Individuals who desire to pray with scripture, spiritual directors, and all who teach prayer with scripture will benefit from the counsel in this resource.

Author Biography

Timothy M. Gallagher, OMV, is considered to be one of the greatest interpreters of the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola. He is a popular retreat leader, an Ignatius scholar, and a lecturer. He is the author of The Discernment of Spirits: The Ignatian Rule for Everyday Life, The Examen Prayer, and An Ignatian Introduction to Prayer. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. 7
Introduction	p. 9
Outline of Meditation and Contemplation	p. 15
"What I Wish and Desire"	p. 19
"These Cleansing Tears"	p. 19
"I Let Those Words Swim in My Heart"	p. 22
The Body of the Prayer: Meditation	p. 27
A Threefold Process	p. 27
"I Opened the Epistles of St. Paul"	p. 29
"Do Not Be Afraid"	p. 33
The Body of the Prayer: Contemplation	p. 35
A Threefold Process	p. 35
How Do I Know It Is Not Just My Imagination?	p. 36
"I Took the Place of Zacchaeus"	p. 38
"Let the Children Come to Me"	p. 39
Can I Pray This Way?	p. 40
The Body of the Prayer: Meditation and Contemplation	p. 44
Before the Prayer Begins	p. 47
"My Heart Is Ready, O God"	p. 47
Preparing for Prayer	p. 53
Beginning the Prayer	p. 55
When Heart Speaks to Heart	p. 55
"I Will Consider How God Our Lord Looks upon Me"	p. 57
I Offer All My Will and Actions to God (Preparatory Prayer)	p. 59
I Review the Scripture for This Prayer	p. 61
I Imaginatively Enter the Place of This Scripture (Composition)	p. 62
I Ask of God What I Wish and Desire in This Prayer	p. 64
How Do I Use These Spiritual Tools?	p. 66
Ending the Prayer	p. 68
The Rhythms of the Heart	p. 68
I Speak to God as My Heart Is Moved (Colloquy)	p. 69
I Conclude with an Our Father	p. 72
Reviewing Our Prayer	p. 73
Further Counsels for Prayer	p. 77
"To Find More Readily What One Desires"	p. 77
Prayer and the Body	p. 78
"There I Will Rest"	p. 79
Struggles in Prayer	p. 80
Growth in Prayer	p. 83
Accompaniment in Prayer	p. 85
Putting It All Together: An Example	p. 88
The Elements of a Flexible Whole	p. 88
First Day	p. 89
Second Day	p. 91
Third Day	p. 91
The Following Days	p. 91
In the Creativity of the Spirit	p. 92
The Fruits of Prayer	p. 94
What Will Happen If I Pray This Way?	p. 94
"A Pure Gift of Grace"	p. 98
Notes	p. 101
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