Posted by Johnboy on November 16, 1998 at 10:00:13:
In Reply to: Speaking in Tongues posted by Phil on November 16, 1998 at 07:20:08:
Phil wrote:>>>> When I give utterance (under breath, of course), I find that it opens my heart, clears my mind, and frees my intuition to discern the leadings of the Spirit.<<<<<
these are the same efficacies i have experienced; well put
PSR:>>>>> It also seems to be a marvelous bridge to contemplative prayer. In fact, I am inclined to say that it IS a form of infused contemplation, especially in its spontaneous manifestation.<<<<
it seems that you are hesitant to call it "infused" contemplation unqualifiedly-----i have given this thought on occasion and have felt that tongues are most often an active or acquired form of contemplation
not only is it problematical to draw a distinction between active and infused, there is added confusion in using the term "contemplation"
still, the confusion is inescapable, for what other lexicon is available?
most glossolalia is likely no different from some experiences of praying the rosary (and rosary prayer experiences are manifold and varied, no?);the participation of the faculties and discursive elements differ from one prayer experience to the next
i do believe there are moments of pure infused glossolalia and have heard reliable, credible and authoritative testimony of pray-ers who spoke in earthly languages, otherwise unknown to the pray-er but known to bystanders
just like with Centering Prayer, the threshold of infused contemplation may be approached, no doubt ...and, similarly, glossolalia may be a bridge to the authentic contemplative experience
we draw these distinctions only because they may be useful in our discernment processes regarding where the Spirit leads us ...now this way, now that
i believe that all prayer is a gift, that prayer and pray-er have fluid boundaries, that we seek prayer not so as to enjoy consolations but so as to gain the strength to serve ..as such, i agree, it" opens our hearts, clears our minds, and frees our intuition to discern the leadings of the Spirit."
when we are discerning our next move, we do inventory our giftedness, be it time, talent, treasure, technology or a contemplative calling
i would add a cautionary note that as we inventory our gifts and callings, we recognize the purely gratuitous nature of same and avoid any elitist perspective or pharasaical attitudes---this is true whether we are talking about having received the gift of tongues or the gift of contemplation (sanjuanist).
when gifted, we serve. when dispossessed of gifts, we rest and we wait on the Lord and try to cultivate our existing "talents" in our posture of authentic stewardship such that to those whom much has been given, much more will be added!
i would only add (whether with St. Paul or St. Teresa): these gifts are for everyone ...and often it is that we wait and wait and wait :>)
Shalom, johnboy