Prayer of Quiet
Encyclopedia
The Prayer of Quiet is a term from Christian theology
. It is regarded by writers on mystical theology
as one of the degrees of contemplation
or contemplative prayer, and must be distinguished therefore from meditation
and from affective prayer
. It holds an intermediary place between the latter and the prayer of union. As the name implies the prayer of quiet is considered a state in which the soul experiences an extraordinary peace and rest, accompanied by delight or pleasure in contemplating God
as present. .
The Prayer of Quiet is discussed in the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, Francis of Sales, Thomas Merton
and others. .
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
. It is regarded by writers on mystical theology
Mystical theology
Mystical theology is a branch of theology which treats of acts and experiences or states of the soul which cannot be produced by human effort.-Catholic tradition:...
as one of the degrees of contemplation
Contemplation
The word contemplation comes from the Latin word contemplatio. Its root is also that of the Latin word templum, a piece of ground consecrated for the taking of auspices, or a building for worship, derived either from Proto-Indo-European base *tem- "to cut", and so a "place reserved or cut out" or...
or contemplative prayer, and must be distinguished therefore from meditation
Meditation
Meditation is any form of a family of practices in which practitioners train their minds or self-induce a mode of consciousness to realize some benefit....
and from affective prayer
Prayer
Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional rapport to a deity through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of...
. It holds an intermediary place between the latter and the prayer of union. As the name implies the prayer of quiet is considered a state in which the soul experiences an extraordinary peace and rest, accompanied by delight or pleasure in contemplating God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
as present. .
The Prayer of Quiet is discussed in the writings of Saint Teresa of Ávila, Francis of Sales, Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton
Thomas Merton, O.C.S.O. was a 20th century Anglo-American Catholic writer and mystic. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion...
and others. .
Literature
- Saint Teresa of Ávila, The Way of Perfection
- Saint Teresa of Ávila, The Interior Castle
- Saint John of the Cross, Dark Night of the SoulDark Night of the SoulDark Night of the Soul is a treatise by Saint John of the Cross containing a commentary explaining his poem of the same name.-Poem and treatise by Saint John of the Cross:...
- Saint John of the CrossJohn of the CrossJohn of the Cross , born Juan de Yepes Álvarez, was a major figure of the Counter-Reformation, a Spanish mystic, Catholic saint, Carmelite friar and priest, born at Fontiveros, Old Castile....
, Ascent of Mount CarmelAscent of Mount CarmelAscent of Mount Carmel is a 16th-century spiritual treatise by Spanish Catholic mystic and poet St John of the Cross. The book is a systematic treatment of the ascetical life in pursuit of mystical union with Christ, giving advice and reporting on his own experience... - Saint Francis of Sales, Treatise on the Love of God
- R. P. Poulan, The Graces of Interior Prayer