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Contemplative Prayer
L.M.: Does one just sit upright and keep the posture straight?
E.M.: I advise people that as far as posture is concerned to use the prayer bench. Young people may not need a stool. But for others, I say just put that prayer bench under you. The thing is to have a straight back. For contemplaprayer, one doesn't want to be in a painful posture.
tive
L.M.: The correct posture is essential.
E.M.: You have to keep the body still. Though, you also have the intellect.
L.M.: The mind.
E.M.: In Western culture especially, the intellect is the problem; we're very analytical. That is where we need to use the prayer word as a help. I like Father or Abba, God is Father or Abba-or Jesus can be used, love can be used. The word expresses one's relationship with God. It doesn't have to be repeated every minute; except when one's mind is drifting, or when a thought develops.
L.M.: To bring you back to the center. Is that done along with the breath?
E.M.: The breath, of course. You get into the habit of doing that and it is going on all the time.
L.M.: There's no exaggerated effort.
E.M.: No, it is gentle and deep, but slow. It is gentle, but without straining. One must have the right practice of breathing deeply; we're just not thinking of our breathing.
L.M.: It is this movement of love.
prac
E.M.: Exactly. After one has done it for some time and developed the tice, it comes more easily.
L.M.: The mind continues to do its thing.
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