BarbTherese Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 http://www.dominicanablog.com/2013/10/15/the-distracted-doctor/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-distracted-doctor ...."............In The Way of Perfection, a work she wrote to aid her Carmelite nuns in prayer, St. Teresa expresses compassion for those who (like herself) struggle with distractions: “There are some souls and minds so scattered they are like wild horses no one can stop. Now they’re running here, now there, always restless… I pity these souls greatly, for they seem to be like very thirsty persons who see water in the distance, but when they want to go there, they meet someone who prevents their passing from the beginning through the middle to the end.†How can one hope to conquer such seemingly insurmountable obstacles? St. Teresa offers sage advice in a passage from The Book of her Life:....." read entire article on above link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Therese Posted October 17, 2013 Share Posted October 17, 2013 THANK YOU for posting this. I've read it before - a long time ago - but sometimes reading or knowing something isn't enough to really assimilate that into your attitudes or way of being. At least, not for me :) I need to read/hear things over and over and over again before they really make an impact. It was a timely reminder for me - I get way too annoyed/anxious over distractions in prayer. Again - thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted October 17, 2013 Author Share Posted October 17, 2013 :like2: Probably the greater bulk of what I post into Transmundane has first spoken to me in a meaningful way. I too can get too uptight over distractions and need reminders of things I have read before - and mostly a couple of times before it is really internalized. What I really love about the theology of Little St Therese is how she can turn what is primarily thought of as problematic into not problems at all - and in most all instances a distinct plus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted October 17, 2013 Author Share Posted October 17, 2013 How can I fear a God who is nothing but mercy and love? - Saint Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897), Doctor of the Church ¿Cómo se puedo temer a un Dios que no es más que misericordia y amor? - Santa Teresa de Lisieux (1873-1897), Doctora de la Iglesia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 I am struggling with yawning during morning prayer at present. :( it is very disheartening like i'm cursed or something. And i'm definitely that horse that rarely gets to the water, i do sometimes but usually someone or something has to be picked up and then i have a great weight to carry the distance to the watering hole, but if the watering hole is heaven than i'm still on that journey and haven't died of thirst yet, alleluia. Sometimes people i meet on the journey have a watering can and sometimes i even find or dig a little well and have a drink then continue to the oasis in the distance,lol. I'm glad you posted this, gracious thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tab'le De'Bah-Rye Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 <edit> I too suffer from spiritual dryness and don't always get the good feelings from prayer, though as st teresa said 'just persist' it is a path to holiness. St Paul backs her up when he says " persistence bears fruits of hope." Jesus iz LORD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil'Nun Posted October 18, 2013 Share Posted October 18, 2013 Thank you so much for posting this. I needed to read this today. Props. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted October 19, 2013 Author Share Posted October 19, 2013 :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AccountDeleted Posted October 19, 2013 Share Posted October 19, 2013 The Buddhists are great ones for teaching how to deal with distractions in meditation. Irritating thoughts are like flies, they come and go, and one has to learn how to let them come and then let them go again. Holy thoughts are a different thing entirely and can lead one into a beautiful meditation. The secret for me is simply not to fuss about distractions but to keep returning to holy thoughts and leaving the rest up to God. Repetitive prayers like the Jesus Prayer or the Rosary can be very helpful when distractions get overwhelming. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarbTherese Posted October 20, 2013 Author Share Posted October 20, 2013 I agree that distractions are best not made a fuss about - what we fuss over, we give power to. Once aware of distractions simply to return to some holy thought. If I run into a time of aridity or consistent distractions, I have compiled a prayer book from various prayers on the net and simply take up this book. Distractions are simply a cross in one's prayer life and best born with simplicity and Peace - no fussing. At times, the Jesus Prayer is very helpful to me and at times can lead into a deeper prayer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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