(June 20, 2014 at 12:46 pm)BlackSwordsman Wrote: I beg to differ, praying is nothing like meditating. Praying in christian terms is about asking a divine being for material things or worldly possessions, usually stemming from a desire of some sort.
It depends on the Christian and what they think prayer is for. The mystics are after union with God - Stages of infused contemplative prayer
Quote:Saint Teresa of Avila described four degrees or stages of mystical union:
1: incomplete mystical union, or the prayer of quiet or supernatural recollection, when the action of God is not strong enough to prevent distractions, and the imagination still retains a certain liberty;
2: full or semi-ecstatic union, when the strength of the divine action keeps the person fully occupied but the senses continue to act, so that by making an effort, the person can cease from prayer;
3: ecstatic union, or ecstasy, when communications with the external world are severed or nearly so, and one can no longer at will move from that state; and
4: transforming or deifying union, or spiritual marriage (properly) of the soul with God.
Needless to say there are some Christians who think this a dangerous occult practise.
Where are the snake and mushroom smilies?
