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The Jesus Prayer
- Thread starter asketikos
- Start date
Gaura Priya
IRL
The Jesus Prayer is a beautiful tradition of hesychasm. Although I do not agree that one should necessarily pray to or worship Jesus, I still think that it is a beautiful way to develop one's love for God through Jesus Christ.
Any form of mysticism is good in my books!
Any form of mysticism is good in my books!
Greetings. Welcome to Religious Forums.
Have you read the Wikipedia on the Jesus Prayer?
Jesus Prayer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Have you read the Wikipedia on the Jesus Prayer?
Jesus Prayer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gaura Priya
IRL
Actually, I believe it is still practiced largely by the Orthodox Christianity and also Eastern Rite Catholics.
The would pray on the chotki, or a prayer rope, while walking, and meditate on the Saviour in that way. Generally one would recite the prayer a set number of times (I can not remember what that number is). One meditates on the recitation and breath itself, the meaning of the prayer, and the effects of the prayer on the heart.
Jesus Prayer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for more information. I am sure there are some Christians who can answer the more deep realities of this prayer!
Biblestudent_007
Active Member
I particularly like the book about it.
I don't say it on a regular basis like the monks but try to keep remembrance or memory of it.
I don't say it on a regular basis like the monks but try to keep remembrance or memory of it.
Rainbow Mage
Lib Democrat/Agnostic/Epicurean-ish/Buddhist-ish
I practice what is perhaps the western equivelent of the Jesus prayer, the Rosary. I've never practiced the Jesus Prayer, no.
Jordan St. Francis
Well-Known Member
I pray it, as well as a minor variant on it when looking to a crucifixion: Lord Jesus Christ, Crucified, have mercy on me.
Though admittedly, I don't pray it in quite the hesychaian manner (was never taught how and understand one needs training in it).
Though admittedly, I don't pray it in quite the hesychaian manner (was never taught how and understand one needs training in it).
asketikos
renouncing this world
asketikos
renouncing this world
that's what i heard as well
From one perspective, the Jesus prayer is of great value as a pathway to the realization of theosis, or union with God.
asketikos
renouncing this world
i wonder then why its not as popular?
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
I know of the Jesus prayer. I have never used it however.
I would not use it because I'm not a Christian. I have a lot of respect for the teachings of Jesus and regard him as fully human but with that Divine-ness all of us have, so using such a prayer which is supposed to be to God is totally foreign to me, and not something I would do personally, but I wouldn't mind if another did.
I would not use it because I'm not a Christian. I have a lot of respect for the teachings of Jesus and regard him as fully human but with that Divine-ness all of us have, so using such a prayer which is supposed to be to God is totally foreign to me, and not something I would do personally, but I wouldn't mind if another did.
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
In many ways.
Usually I meditate, sometimes I meditate and "think" my prayer. Other times I chant names of the manifested aspects of God (for example, Aum Dum Durgayei Namah, Aum Namah Shivaya), or other times on the formless and personal side (since I'm a syncretist I have multiple religious identities, lol) of "Waheguru, Waheguru, Wahe Jio", and so on.
Anthromorphised personalised archetypical thoughtforms of the Transpersonal Absolute Reality.
Basically, I view God in a few ways:
The Transpersonal Absolute, unknowable, everything and in everything yet transcendent of everything - Brahman. I do not pray to Brahman. Brahman is static, and Shakti is its dynamism. I personally see Shakti AS Brahman though, so change is the only thing that is eternal. Sort of. It's a work in progress.
Personal gods with either visual representation (Durga, Kali, Saraswati, Shiva, etc), or without visual representation (formless gods, like Waheguru, and the Christian and Islamic conception of God - but I do not worship the Christian, Jewish or Islamic conceptions of God, just Dharmic paths for me). They exist in the mind, and they are reflections of the Supreme that is unknowable - human minds clutching at straws to grasp the thing that cannot be grasped.
Hope that helps.
Tom Terrific
Member
I use the same prayer format; but since I worship a Goddess and don't think of myself primarily as a "sinner," I have changed the prayer to one of praise rather than one seeking mercy. Using this prayer in this way has had a profound affect on my relationship with Her; I can't say enough good about it. It has changed my life -- or, rather, She has changed my life through it, and is still doing so. Anyone seeking divine intimacy should give this prayer form a try.
Here is the prayer I use. Please note, the name "Diana" is used here as an example. Any God or Goddess name could be used -- as could "Father," "Mother," "Lord," "Lady," etc., whatever you use to address your deity.
"Glory and praise to thee, Diana, for thou art worthy of praise."
Something you said suggested to me that you might not be aware of the book, The Way of a Pilgrim. It is available in several editions on Amazon.com. I believe the RM French translation is highly thought of; it's the one I have. There is also the Philokalia itself, which used to be available in abridged form with emphasis on passages on prayer; I don't know if anything like that is still in print, however.
In my opinion, the power of this prayer form lies in the fact that the prayer itself, when prayed with intent, is an invocation, an invitation to divine communion to which the divine, Who is Love Itself, responds. That's why it leads to personal transformation; fellowship with the divine can do no less.
Like fenrisx, my spiritual practice involves praying at set times of the day. I began with 250 repetitions (five cycles with a Catholic rosary) once or twice a day, and have varied it a number of times. When just starting out, it might be best not to be overzealous; you may find the struggle with your wayward attention taxing.
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asketikos
renouncing this world
How do you do it? Do you just chant it over and over focusing upon the words, or do you get lost in a sort of trance?
Perhaps because there are many paths, or perhaps also because the transformative power of the Jesus Prayer which might require extreme devotion is little understood.
asketikos
renouncing this world
perhaps - i'm interested in finding more info on it, but there's not that much.