tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post3867855217777085025..comments2024-03-26T16:24:34.218+00:00Comments on Meeting The Masters: The Name of JesusWilliam Wildbloodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13231219533755925897noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-53980735417306911882021-08-13T14:52:48.214+00:002021-08-13T14:52:48.214+00:00I've been thinking about this post and a recen...I've been thinking about this post and a recent video I watched brought this up in the context of resistance to forced vaccination (as opposed to taking up arms) here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UWcIuYFpoTo&list=PLjJEXmzbyxxX6wRngzmWQTBq5RMj5qnIv&index=54<br /><br />Around minute 11:00, the discussion moves to Christian persecution in the Soviet concentration camps. Several examples are told of people being drugged in order to break them psychologically. Incredibly, for one very pious Russian woman, the drugs had no effect because she was saying the Jesus Prayer constantly. While I don't think we should act like the Jesus Prayer is some Cosmic "get-out-of-jail-free-card," we should have enough Faith that we can embrace God's Will in that moment (whether through Divine deliverance, suffering or martyrdom).MagnusStouthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16975404335377881030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-54297581389227131612021-08-10T22:40:17.774+00:002021-08-10T22:40:17.774+00:00I wasn’t insisting on Latin for others, it is just...I wasn’t insisting on Latin for others, it is just that I find its sound beautiful in a primal way. A more esoteric reason perhaps: since Latin is the original tongue of the Roman Catholic church, while the Jesus Prayer is a fruit of the Eastern Orthodox church, the recitation seems a way to effect something of a harmonizing bridge between them, and thus perhaps even contributes something positive and healing of the rift between the two.<br /><br />As for repetition, the prayer provides both refuge and address at once, but it importantly eliminates pride and hubris. If you’re inclined to think “well, God heard me the first time, so why go on?” you might better think again: how would you know? Suppose you said it once, but there was no intuitive effect, no return indication of any kind… then what? Is that then time to shift into another familiar mode, such as “well looks like I’ve just got to get on with it myself at this time, since God helps those who help themselves”?<br /><br />The whole point is that we make ourselves more relevant to God — and not the other way around. So, the repetition isn’t for God’s sake. You could also think of mantras: what are they supposed to accomplish, mere self-hypnosis — or an absorption into something higher? That’s only bestowed by grace…Petrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649628235333856609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-87709197973263021402021-08-10T21:47:40.775+00:002021-08-10T21:47:40.775+00:00It struck me that this is more or less what I chid...It struck me that this is more or less what I chide my child. 'We heard you the first time, darling!' And here we are, Spiritual Children.Sasha Melnikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01973833861631890306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-3378923153094310382021-08-10T15:45:13.774+00:002021-08-10T15:45:13.774+00:00I rather like the idea that he doesn't like re...I rather like the idea that he doesn't like repetition. "Ok, I've heard you. You don't have to go on!"William Wildbloodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13231219533755925897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-16282910743721849582021-08-10T15:14:59.665+00:002021-08-10T15:14:59.665+00:00I have myself called on Jesus in dreams and vision...I have myself called on Jesus in dreams and visions, in thanks or in asking for help.<br /><br />He doesn't like repetition. on the third repetition what came back was 'ENOUGH!'<br /><br />Sasha<br />Sasha Melnikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01973833861631890306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-3481204354119282912021-08-09T22:13:57.602+00:002021-08-09T22:13:57.602+00:00Maybe Latin is important because we have to questi...Maybe Latin is important because we have to question where and why it came about? For me, Latin is systemic to our Roman ancestors, and I was taught Latin in the first two years of my Secondary education. I know everyone, including my parents said 'It's a dead language'. Well, I just bounced off that and didn't pursue it. <br /><br />But anyone in their right mind now, recognises language has been used and abused over the years. Look, it is obvious that generations afterwards use the word 'like' before they try to make a truth statement. What is that about? They have to say, unconsciously, 'like' before they say anything.Kirstiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16450082231086667424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-85792584451076423982021-08-09T22:01:08.536+00:002021-08-09T22:01:08.536+00:00I agree that Latin seems more powerful than Englis...I agree that Latin seems more powerful than English. I'm not sure why. It could just be tradition or it could be a more hierarchical tongue meaning it has a kind of solemnity that English perhaps lacks, much as I do love English.William Wildbloodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13231219533755925897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-79553689453362979782021-08-09T19:55:27.691+00:002021-08-09T19:55:27.691+00:00@William @Bruce – I tend to use the Jesus Prayer m...@William @Bruce – I tend to use the Jesus Prayer myself, although I use the Latin iteration since it seems to provide a better entree for me, as the words spoken in english tend to lead towards the kind “irritated” discernments that a familiar tongue makes more available. The Latin rolls off the tongue more easily, and I’ve discovered that I can also modify the phrase for personal use or for interventional prayer on behalf of humanity (that is: “miserere mei” versus “miserere nobis”). It is also worth mentioning that the power of the formula lies beyond considerations of whether mercy should be continually sought, or whether one is eternally a sinner. The varied fathers in the Philokalia have amply indicated that the recitation in itself is altogether salvific and protective in an ongoing way as one regularly engages it, with a depth that takes one beyond the meaning of the words. It’s another reason I especially like reciting it in a tongue other than the one I am most familiar with.Petrushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649628235333856609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-55249235907833280162021-08-09T17:21:07.806+00:002021-08-09T17:21:07.806+00:00There are too many modern spiritual approaches tha...There are too many modern spiritual approaches that don't recognise that this world is a spiritual war zone. I am tempted to say these are encouraged by the dark forces and some may even be created by them The name of Jesus is the best weapon we have in this war. This thought is too simple, even childish, for many but it is nonetheless true.William Wildbloodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13231219533755925897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-31684713643889959622021-08-09T17:15:55.837+00:002021-08-09T17:15:55.837+00:00I have always intuitively known this, and even as ...I have always intuitively known this, and even as a meditator where my practice goes beyond the words, I still establish my practice with a prayer to Jesus. tedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07354048695798015131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513199068907090344.post-29395537784318633302021-08-09T13:49:31.771+00:002021-08-09T13:49:31.771+00:00@William - I agree with this. I tend to use 't...@William - I agree with this. I tend to use 'the Jesus prayer' which I practiced (and tried to make a habit) when I was intending to become Russian Orthodox. <br /><br />I now have reservations about both habitual praying and the exact wording of the Jesus prayer - in particular *repeatedly* asking for 'mercy' from Jesus (which I think he finds rather irritating since he will always have mercy for the repentant - and does not need to be 'nagged' about it!). <br /><br />However, the name and thought of Jesus is exactly what is needed, and once the prayer has impressed itself on my consciousness and some kind of 'contact' has been established - then the words can be changed. Bruce Charltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09615189090601688535noreply@blogger.com