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Prayer is foremost relationship. Prayer is chiefly being. Prayer is a becoming what is enfolded already in the Being of Divinity. This seeks to express, always, unfolding in ways and with results you cannot know precisely, and often not even vaguely. Thus, offer your unknowing, fruitive love as an act of devotion and faithfulness. Your life will become Prayer.
In mystical prayer, this deepening of relationship in being, in unknowing, the Flemish mystic John of Ruysbroeck (1293-1381) portrays:
"The interior person enters into the self in a simple manner, above all activity and all values, to apply the self to a simple gaze in fruitive love. There this one encounters Divine Presence without intermediary. And from the unity of Presence there shines into the person a simple light. This simple light shows itself to be darkness, nakedness and nothingness. In this darkness, this self is enveloped and such a person plunges in a state without modes, in which the self is lost. In nakedness, all consideration and distraction of things escape the self, and a person is informed and penetrated by a simple light. In nothingness this person sees its works come to nothing, for the self is overwhelmed by the activity of Infinity's immense love, and by the fruitive inclination of Divine Spirit ... becomes one spirit with God."
*The Adornment of the Spiritual Marriage.
This is true of all relationships: all lead to a simplified unknowing. There is a mystery about the other that makes him or her, or it, Other. So, with Divine Love, as Thomas Merton (1915-1968) notes:
In a word, Divine Presence is invisibly present to the ground of our being: our belief and love attain to Presence, but the Presence remains hidden from the arrogant gaze of our investigating mind which seeks to capture the Infinite and secure permanent possession of the Real in an act of knowledge that gives power over Divinity. It is in fact absurd and impossible to try to grasp Love as an object which can be seized and comprehended by our minds.
*Contemplative Prayer.
Every person is called to this mystical nakedness of intellect; this unknowing, fruitive Love. Fr. Christopher Rengers, in The 33 Doctors of the Church, in comments on St. Teresa of Avila, writes:
"St. Teresa of Avila calls out to our times to take a new, and to most of us, untried step toward knowledge of the Divine. For we are called upon by that Presence to prepare ourselves for the gift of mystical experience. There are undoubtedly many mystics who are going about their daily work, but who could not even spell or define the word. Yet they too dip into that closeness with the Holy in prayer where the Holy takes over in a mysterious way. And they thereby grow in wisdom and understanding and charity, or divine love.
"True mystical knowledge is a challenging frontier for our age. It is not, as some might think, something separated from all other kinds of knowledge. Rather, it integrates all other knowledge. It is not something for just a few. Rather, many, if they cooperate with Divine grace, can dispose themselves for it. True mystical knowledge is not a psychological quirk, but is something that will integrate and pull together the elements of the personality and will turn one, in a newly found simplicity, to a strong and true love of the Infinite and of neighbor."
The key here in mystical union and its dark, but luminous, knowing is dispose yourself. To have any deep, abiding knowledge of anything or anyone requires an arranging, an inclination, of life and energies in that direction. If you want to explore the mysteries of mathematics, you must incline strongly in that direction. If you wish to enjoy a deeply satisfying romantic love, you must incline mind and heart in that direction. If you will to know Love Itself intimately, you must surrender, you must posture your life, thought, and action in that direction.
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*All masculine references to "God" in quotes are adapted to a more inclusive terminology, by this writer. The Ruysbroeck quote is taken from Merton: see above.
*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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