The Jesus Prayer

I probably have used this title before and I am sure that I will use it again.

I was listening this morning to Metropolitan (used to be Abbot) Jonah's talk, From Psychology to Spirituality, (available through Holy Trinity CD's). I love having the series with me in the car as I drive around and do my errands. All I need is a little snippet of what he is saying to pray around and think about all day.

This morning's little piece had to do with thoughts...thoughts that you act on or that fill your head. He commented a few days ago during another errand, how our thoughts are 90% of who we are, an important point. Also on how thoughts run rampant. Mine were running rampant this morning.

As I left this morning to pick up a few necessities, I had to turn around midway up the road because I didn't think I had locked the back door. Sure enough I hadn't. Off again...this time I made it all the way to Walmart and realized I didn't have my purse. Hmmm. Back down the road, unlock the back door get the purse, go back to Walmart. I was exhausted already and hadn't even started. Does that tell you something about thoughts that are out of control?

Metropolitan Jonah meanwhile was saying something on the CD that was really important to my day. I am paraphrasing:'The thing to do is take charge of your thoughts and not to let them run you. Even the Buddhists feel that enlightenment is reached when the thoughts are conquered. The thing that they are missing is Christ, the Personal and the Other that comes into your being changes you, embrases you and temporaily pulls you into the Kingdom. To get there you have to work on get rid of the thoughts.'

He talks further about how if you can do this the world becomes illumined and one can see God in His creation, in those around one no matter who they are, no matter what their beliefs are.

I know because this is about the third time I have listened to this CD that the Jesus Prayer plays a very important part in taking your space back from the thoughts.

It seems to me that the Jesus prayer takes some time to get into, to break in so to speak, sort of like a pair of really good shoes. It becomes comfortable and helps you mightily down the path of life.

My goal this morning is to practice the prayer.

And by the way this CD package is highly recommended!