There are many books available on the subject of prayer, so why add another one? The uniqueness of Jean Marie Dwyer's approach is the conviction that prayer, even contemplative prayer, is natural to everyone because we are created for God and reflect God... As created humans, we are the sacred place of prayer.
What does that mean? In the first three chapters she explores in a very accessible style the philosophical, biblical and theological groundwork for the understanding of the human person as the sacred place of prayer before moving on to consider what it means to be a contemplative.
'The contemplative life does not divorce us from the world or from reality. True contemplative prayer emanating from our innermost centre does not separate us from the real needs of God's people; instead, we become the locus of God's saving action toward the world. The gift of the God-life and the work of grace are not alien to our human capacity but simply stretch that capacity to its true dimensions. Throughout the tradition, beginning with the scriptures, love of God and love of neighbour are inseparable. Union with God is impossible without a corresponding oneness with our neighbour (1 John 4:20).'
Within us all is a deep need for love and a place of belonging. Jean Marie's chapters on desert spirituality, illusions and finding our centre give insight into how we find our true self and our place of home and belonging through prayer.
'An inward stillness helps us to seek God in the daily ordinariness of our lives. Setting aside time for prayer is important. Even a momentary pause in a busy day can be an oasis of stillness to re-centre ourselves. Equally important is stilling the unceasing chatter of our thoughts. In a society where noise and distractions are normal fare, such a commitment to silence takes courage. The early monastic tradition clearly understood and taught this truth. No moment, no situation, no pain or misunderstanding can separate us from God's presence, but calls us to search more deeply for the face of God.'
The book concludes by considering Mary, the mother of Jesus.
'Mary is the sacred space in which the Word of God was conceived. In her openness to God's plan and her response to the Word, we have the model for our discipleship and an illustration for becoming the sacred space for God.'
Much of what is included in this book is drawn from years of reflective study, lectio divina and Jean Marie's own gradual formation through study and prayerful interaction with the scriptures in the Dominican community and in solitary prayer. The book includes practical exercises at the end of each chapter to 'earth' the lessons learned in the reader's own experience. An appendix provides a helpful guide to developing the practice of lectio divina.
What does that mean? In the first three chapters she explores in a very accessible style the philosophical, biblical and theological groundwork for the understanding of the human person as the sacred place of prayer before moving on to consider what it means to be a contemplative.
'The contemplative life does not divorce us from the world or from reality. True contemplative prayer emanating from our innermost centre does not separate us from the real needs of God's people; instead, we become the locus of God's saving action toward the world. The gift of the God-life and the work of grace are not alien to our human capacity but simply stretch that capacity to its true dimensions. Throughout the tradition, beginning with the scriptures, love of God and love of neighbour are inseparable. Union with God is impossible without a corresponding oneness with our neighbour (1 John 4:20).'
Within us all is a deep need for love and a place of belonging. Jean Marie's chapters on desert spirituality, illusions and finding our centre give insight into how we find our true self and our place of home and belonging through prayer.
'An inward stillness helps us to seek God in the daily ordinariness of our lives. Setting aside time for prayer is important. Even a momentary pause in a busy day can be an oasis of stillness to re-centre ourselves. Equally important is stilling the unceasing chatter of our thoughts. In a society where noise and distractions are normal fare, such a commitment to silence takes courage. The early monastic tradition clearly understood and taught this truth. No moment, no situation, no pain or misunderstanding can separate us from God's presence, but calls us to search more deeply for the face of God.'
The book concludes by considering Mary, the mother of Jesus.
'Mary is the sacred space in which the Word of God was conceived. In her openness to God's plan and her response to the Word, we have the model for our discipleship and an illustration for becoming the sacred space for God.'
Much of what is included in this book is drawn from years of reflective study, lectio divina and Jean Marie's own gradual formation through study and prayerful interaction with the scriptures in the Dominican community and in solitary prayer. The book includes practical exercises at the end of each chapter to 'earth' the lessons learned in the reader's own experience. An appendix provides a helpful guide to developing the practice of lectio divina.