Tag Archives: silent prayer

May 23 2023
Consciousness, Mind, Prayer

Having A Hard Time With Silent Prayer?

Allen, you write so much about silent prayer, but I find it difficult. Every time I give it a try all kinds of thoughts pop up. One time my prom date popped up, and I hadn’t seen or heard from him in thirty years. Can you give me some suggestions to help with these thoughts?

Like other Truth “teachers,” I speak and write about the importance of silent prayer. Because I believe it is an essential practice, I hammer away at the nail of silent prayer like a crazed carpenter. Silent prayer is important, but it’s not the end goal. Silent prayer is a means to an end, and that end is Revelation. And nothing facilitates Divine Revelation like silent prayer.

But, as the questioner points out, silent prayer has its challenges. The main challenge is handling those random, unrelated thoughts that buzz around in your mind while you’re trying to listen to the “still small voice.” Here’s how most have handled it: They stopped doing it. That’s not a wise choice. Without the practice of silent prayer, you can believe God is All, you can affirm God’s Allness, but you can never know that God is All. That truth must be revealed, and silent prayer expedites that Revelation.

In past writings, I’ve suggested many ways to deal with these busy-bee thoughts. In one post, I urged you to stop trying to still your mind. That is a game you cannot win. In this post, I’m sharing what I’ve found to be the least frustrating and the most effective practice to deal with those pesky, unwanted thoughts.

When your silent session begins, know that thoughts will come up. Let them. That’s right. Don’t fight them. Don’t try to mentally swat them away. Just let them come. However, at the outset know this: THOUGHTS HAVE NO POWER TO OBSTRUCT, HINDER OR DELAY MY REALIZATION OF GOD.

Isn’t that comforting? Because those irksome thoughts have no power to obstruct Revelation, you don’t have to fight them. They are no longer your enemy. They are powerless. You may have to refocus your attention many times, but the fighting is over.

Have you ever watched the sun peek through the clouds? That’s how Revelation emerges through a cloud of unwanted thoughts. It’s a beautiful experience, but you will only know it once you’ve tried it.

Don’t give up on silent prayer. Try this approach for a few weeks and see for yourself how effective it is.

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Jul 30 2016
Consciousness, Prayer

The Joys Of Contemplation

bt-contemplation

Someone recently asked me, “Allen, how do you contemplate?” Ultimately, reader, you will have to find your own way, but below are the three ways I contemplate.

1

My favorite way is to sit in silence for a few moments. Slowly, I repeat the words “I Am.” After two or three repetitions, Consciousness usually stops on the word “I” revealing that “I” is boundless, universal, and impersonal.

Effortlessly and without planning, I find myself contemplating a spiritual Truth. At this point, rather than a sense of doing something, my experience is one of being the contemplation.

This way is easy, relaxed, and totally effortless.

2

Since 1998, I’ve kept a “Spiritual Journal.” I have five of them, and scribbled on their pages are many of the revelations I “heard” in silent prayer.

Sometimes, I pick up one of the journals and flip to a page. Then, I contemplate the revelations on that page. The joy of this approach is that I am contemplating Truths that have already been revealed.

Contemplating Truths that have already been revealed always opens the door to fuller knowledge and experience of that Truth. It is wonderful.

3

Another way I contemplate involves the Bible or some other spiritual literature. Reader, has this happened to you? While reading a book of Truth, does a word or sentence pop out as if it is demanding more of your attention?

When this happens, I don’t keep reading. I stop and contemplate that word or sentence. Sometimes I ask Consciousness, “What is it I am to perceive here?” I may have to do this more than once, but when the answer is revealed, I feel like I’m going to explode with joy.

Reader, here is what I don’t do. I never contemplate with the idea that this contemplation is going to fix something. Furthermore, I realize that Truth is always true whether I am contemplating it or not.

Many people have questions about the why’s of contemplation and prayer. Those questions are answered in The Prayer Project.  Just a click away.

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