How I Pray: Contemplative Prayer

SOLO, AS ONE

“Silence is God’s first language,” wrote the Carmelite, St. John of the Cross. “Everything else is a poor translation,” wrote Fr. Thomas Keating. In contemplative prayer I pray through silence. In the act of silence my body is still, my eyes are closed, and my mouth breathing a slow pattern- inhale, then exhale. I set my mind to a short, Holy word or phrase, like “Open to You” to hold my attention. In sync with the breath, I silently repeat it over and over. Sometimes, I forget to say it and it drops off.

There are no racing thoughts at this time. However, when my thoughts occupy my mind, I pick that word or phrase back up and silently repeat it again. I am this prayer. I become this prayer, most times struggling, for at least twenty minutes to attune my heart and hear His language: silence.

Rachel Winborn

Rachel Winborn shares her gifts as a Spiritual Director and as the facilitator of the Spiritual Dream Group here at St. Ben’s. She has been a parishioner for seven years and is married with four children.