Prayer and meditation

The one thing I would like to give anyone I meet is the gift of prayer.  Not simply reciting wrote prayers, talking to and listening to God.  Sitting with God with an open heart and mind and letting Him lead you where He wants you to go.

I think the saddest life is the unexamined life where you never get to know yourself.  God will help you see yourself through prayer and meditation.  Learning to quiet your mind and just listen is a skill that has to be developed.  It is well worth the time it takes.  I fits and flashes God has shown me a lot about who I am.  Most of all He has shown me how I am loved.  Only a loving parent will correct you, others just walk away.

It takes time to learn to clear your mind so you can listen.  Start slowly.  Set aside time in a quiet place where you are comfortable and won't be distracted.  I would suggest having a book like Thomas Mertons New Seeds of Contemplation and a blank journal.  Read a short section from the book and then in journal restate what was said and then write how what was said applies to you and your life.  Then sit quietly for a time ask God to speak to you and try to quiet your mind.  To help you not think about things think about your breathing.  Have a word in mind, a quiet peaceful word, like Jesus that you can say to yourself if your mind wanders to bring yourself back.  At first it won't work and you will get frustrated so keep this time short at first.  As you go on though it will get easier.  Your mind will still wonder but in a different way.  Let your thoughts just unfold and watch them.

Another way to get started is to read a Bible passage instead of another book and put yourself in the story.  Really watch and listen and smell the world around you.  Think about the people in the passage and see what happens.  Write down your observations.  Again don't let yourself get distracted but do let thing unfold as they do.  Later think about what you saw and what God may have been trying to tell you.

One thing to keep in mind is that God is talking to you and really what he says to you is about you.  God will not tell you how other people need to act in these meditations.