Addendum 6...letting the cat out of the bag...

 After all the time that this blog has been up, perhaps I have been a bit too mysterious in of what this work/prayer consists.



I hope any reader will forgive me for lack of clarity, as it due to me not considering myself qualified by any means as a spiritual director of other people, and knowing that a little bit of knowledge can be very dangerous in the wrong hands. I hope and pray any reader has taken all the cautions and warnings to heart in just how easily we can delude ourselves and lead our selves seriously astray, and THAT minus any external forces (which surely exist) desiring and attempting our straying from the true path.


But, I have dropped enough hints throughout the various entries, where consolidating them, somewhat, so that a reader can get some small idea as to what is involved, without being put off due to book expense where they might live, might be a good thing.  They might be spurred to obtain one, two, or three of the recommended works, ....I hope....BUT, READ the "Cloud Of Unknowing/Book Of Privy Counsel" at VERY least, PLEASE, for your own sake.


It is simple, past the twisted ways we can be deceived...it demands a disciplined daily routine of prayer, where we put aside all thoughts and considerations, and even holy thoughts, to simply sit there and love God, with a GENTLE yearning desire to return the love God offers to us, and to know God through this love...there is no forcing this, no violence, but only to sit there and breathe, and love and yearn for God....GENTLY putting aside destracting thoughts (just look away) and return to the work. There are assorted things which can be done to maintain this concentration, but I will not go into such in a blog. Briefly mentioning the use of other assorted pius acts and devotions, whose proper use is to inspire that love,  each loving impulse is followed for as long as possible as a spark rising from a fire, and when attention is lost, to only then repeat the act or exercise, this not about empty mindless machine-like repetition, but love....the main thing is to DO this work and not only read about it...regularly. Do not be so arrogant as to think yourself special enough as to deserve anything from God without your actually loving God and without truly seeking God through love on a regular basis.


I know this is not much, but, I simply do not feel it my place to say much more....personally, I WILL add my own favorite aid in concentration, which is to place attention 2-3" below navel as breath goes in and out, and guard against straying thoughts (even holy ones, while warning many which bubble up will be anything but holy), and love and yearn for God, our true lover.


I really have said too much, as sure enough some reader/readers will seek a shortcut and not read what is written by far worthier writers....but, although such as a copy of "The Cloud of Unknowing" is easily and cheaply obtained in the West, especially English speaking areas, this Addendum hopefully will be a worthy goad to finding a copy, no matter where one lives.


Past that, PLEASE read....and God bless you and lead you to that which you seek, which is God alone.

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