FromChristian Teachings on the Practice of Prayer

The image of God is found essentially and personally in all mankind. Each possesses it whole, entire and undivided, and all together not more than one alone. In this way we are all one, intimately united in our eternal image, which is the image of God and the source in us of all our life.
—John Ruusbroec (1293–1381) Flemish mystic and theologian


Each of us comes forth from God in the Word and stands before him, unique in his own nature, in his own particular being, a unique expression of the divine Being; and each of us has to return to God in the Holy Spirit, in a movement of love by which we surrender ourselves to God, allow God to possess us. Our temptation is to stand upon our own dignity, to center on ourselves and refuse that movement of return, of self-surrender. Sin is a failure of love, a failure to respond to the movement of grace which is ever drawing us out of ourselves into the divine life. When we refuse to respond, to acknowledge our nothingness and need, then we close in on ourselves, we become separated from God and eternal life and see ourselves as isolated selves, each shut up in our own existence and in conflict with others, alienated from our real Self, living in a world of illusion.
—Bede Griffiths (1906–1993) English Benedictine monk


There is always danger of illuminism and false mysticism when those who are easily swayed by fancy and emotion take too seriously the vivid impulses they experience in prayer, and imagine that the voice of their own exalted feeling is really the voice of God.

The proper atmosphere of meditation is one of tranquillity and peace and balance. The mind should be able to give itself to simple and peaceful reflection. Intellectual brilliance is never required. The will should find itself directed toward the good and strengthened in its desire for union with God. It does not have to feel itself enkindled with raptures of ardent love. A good meditation may well be quite "dry" and "cold" and "dark." It may even be considerably disturbed by involuntary distractions. St. John of the Cross says somewhere that "the best fruits grow in the land that is cold and dry." But his arid meditation nevertheless fills the soul with humility, peace, courage, and the determination to persevere.
—Thomas Merton (1915–1968) American Cistercian monk


The Holy Spirit composed the scriptures so that in them, as in a pharmacy open to all souls, we might each of us be able to find the medicine suited to our own particular illness. . . .

The Book of Psalms contains everything useful that the others have. It predicts the future, it recalls the past, it gives directions for living, it suggests the right behavior to adopt. It is, in short a jewel case in which have been collected all the valid teachings in such a way that individuals find remedies just right for their cases.

It heals the old wounds of the soul and gives relief to recent ones. It cures illnesses and preserves the health of the soul.

Every Psalm brings peace, soothes the internal conflicts, calms the rough waves of evil thoughts, dissolves anger, corrects and moderates profligacy.

Every Psalm anticipates the anguish of the night and gives rest after the efforts of the day. It is safety for babes, beauty for the young, comfort for the aged, adornment for women.

Every Psalm is the voice of the Church.
—Basil the Great (330–379) Doctor of the church, saint, and bishop of Caesarea


He is all and does all if you could but see Him," said one of the mystics. . . . Deep down in men's souls is a persistent sense that this is true: and when this sense rises up into consciousness, we are moved by love and worship for the Home and Father of our souls. So the first essential of true worship is that which is given us so wonderfully in the vision of Isaiah—the Glory of the Lord must fill the temple.

This is equally true whether God be sought alone on the mountain, or in the corporate silence of a Quaker meeting, or under the veils of sacramental devotion. Every time, the only thing that matters is the unchanging Glory of God. Man has to tune in to that universal voice of adoration which says all the time—whether we notice it or not—Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts! Heaven and earth are full of Thy Glory; Glory be to Thee, oh Lord most High! The Sanctus is the classic norm of all human worship.
—Evelyn Underhill (1875–1941) English writer on mysticism