Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
A mind at peace with itself tunes in to the intuitive self with a growing awareness that the right answers are waiting for us to enact into our daily journey of self discovery; the very act of finding our way through the trials, and tribulations that confront all.
Arthur Conan Doyle's character, Sherlock Holmes was inclined to remind Dr. Watson that he needed to switch off, permitting the intuitive sense, space to intervene and inspire.
“To let the brain work without sufficient material is like racing an engine. It racks itself to pieces. The sea air, sunshine, and patience, Watson—all else will come.”
In the age of the Internet, news media 24/7 there is an awareness that each of us needs "down time" to enable us to calm our nerves leading us in to moments of peacefulness, where our busy minds can find rest.
"Recharging the batteries" so to speak can wean many rattled minds off their pills, sufficiently for the troubled person to return to a more balanced state of mind liberated from addiction to medication and its many side effects.
Overthinking constructs perceptions that not only reveal our own very personal prejudices, but can blind us our own very real need to heal ourselves, before believing that we can mend the lives of others.
We are never responsible for the actions of others, just our own. Most times we need to back off, and remind ourselves that offering practical help to a needy person is sufficient for the day.
Twenty minutes of meditation every day invites inspiration, and answers not discoverable in the news media. Invite moments of silence into your life, switch off the television, and radio sink into your armchair letting the inner person provide you with all that you need.
Half an hour's meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed.~ Saint Francis de Sales
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Re: Just, be
Posted by Tony M on June 20, 2018, 7:45 am, in reply to "Just, be"
The Francis de Sales quote sounds dodgy, Alex. What's the source?
Re: Just, be
Posted by Alex Caughey on June 20, 2018, 8:28 am, in reply to "Re: Just, be"
Descriptions of prayer are abundant throughout Christian history. "True prayer," wrote St. Augustine, "is nothing but love." Prayer should arise from the heart. "Prayer," said St. John Vianney, "is the inner bath of love into which the soul plunges itself.""Everyone of us needs half an hour of prayer each day," remarked St. Francis de Sales, "except when we are busy—then we need an hour." Definitions of prayer are important, but insufficient. There is a huge difference between knowing about prayer and praying. On this issue, the Rule of St. Benedict is clear, "If a man wants to pray, let him go and pray."
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Re: Just, be
Posted by Alex Caughey on June 20, 2018, 8:39 am, in reply to "Re: Just, be"
Well, Tony M, for the curious I attach a link to guidance from Francis De Sales on meditation.
Within the Catholic tradition prayer, and meditation are one and same reality being communication with The Divine Presence.
IT may be, my daughter, that you do not know how to practise mental prayer, for unfortunately it is a thing much neglected now-adays. I will therefore give you a short and easy method for using it, until such time as you may read sundry books written on the subject, and above all till practice teaches you how to use it more perfectly. And first of all, the Preparation, which consists of two points: first, placing yourself in the Presence of God; and second, asking His Aid. And in order to place your self in the Presence of God, I will suggest four chief considerations which you can use at first.
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Re: Just, be
Posted by Tony M on June 20, 2018, 10:50 am, in reply to "Re: Just, be"
Thanks, Alex, but no source for that quote. The paradoxical style doesn't fit with Francis de Sales' customary manner. So I suspect it is a chinese whispers rendition in the tradition of recreating great saints after our own image and likeness.
Re: Just, be
Posted by Alex Caughey on June 20, 2018, 3:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Just, be"
Well, Tony M, there is the thought that Francis de Sales did not write, or speak in the English language leading me to understand that the translation from French, or Latin can be a matter for discussion according to the translator's interpretation of the original language.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site clearly does not share your opinion.
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Re: Just, be
Posted by Tony M on June 21, 2018, 12:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Just, be"
Previous Message
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops site clearly does not share your opinion.
If they are anything like the acbc, I shouldn't wonder.
Re: Just, be
Posted by Alex Caughey on June 21, 2018, 1:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Just, be"
Well, Tony M, your preconceptions are duly noted.
Back to the topic under review...meditation... you may wish to read the words of Francis de Sales posted on this thread for your further education.