Be your REAL self, pray your REAL prayer

Summary

In this heartfelt message, a monk reflects on the significance of being present in the here and now. Drawing from personal experience and the teachings of saints, he explores how living in the past or future distracts us from the real essence of life and prayer. Through the challenges of pain, grief, and the struggles of daily life, he emphasizes that God is found in the present moment, and true prayer arises from being grounded in the 'here and now.' The monk encourages listeners to embrace the present, free from past regrets or future fears, and find God in their existence.

Takeaways

• 😀 The importance of being present in the 'here and now' is emphasized as essential for a genuine connection with God.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on the experience of pilgrims visiting the ancient beehive cell of St. Brendan, which grounds them in the physical and spiritual space of the past.
• 😀 The speaker discusses the struggles of getting older and the increasing need to reflect inwardly and reconnect with one's true self.
• 😀 The central lesson shared from the Romanian Father St. Sophian: 'The time of God is now'—there is no past or future, only the present moment.
• 😀 Living in the past or future can compromise the ability to be present and lead to false prayer, as one's mind is not grounded in the present reality.
• 😀 Prayer is most authentic when we are real and present in the moment, rather than distracted by regrets or fears from the past or hopes for the future.
• 😀 Pain and suffering serve as powerful reminders to ground ourselves in the present moment, as they eliminate distractions from the past and future.
• 😀 The speaker shares personal experiences of profound grief, illustrating how pain can strip away unnecessary distractions, leading to a real connection with God.
• 😀 The story of a desert father’s advice to retreat to one’s cell and focus on the present moment underscores the importance of being in the here and now to find God.
• 😀 God's love is described as unconditional and all-encompassing, with the speaker encouraging everyone to remember that existence itself proves God's presence and love.
• 😀 The speaker concludes with a call to embrace the present moment, let go of past fears, and find peace in the eternal love of God.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's message?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment, grounded in the 'here and now.' They reflect on how past memories or future expectations can distract from living fully in the present and how true prayer comes from being real and present in one's current circumstances.

How does the speaker relate their work in the pottery studio to spiritual practice?

The speaker sees their physical work in the pottery studio as a way to focus and ground themselves. The act of working with their hands helps to clear their mind, allowing them to reenter a state of prayer and spiritual focus.

What does the speaker mean by 'God is in the here and now'?

The speaker suggests that God is present in the current moment, and that we should not be consumed by the past or the future. Instead, we should focus on the present, where God resides, and recognize that living in the 'here and now' is the true path to spiritual connection.

How does the speaker relate their personal experience with prayer to the theme of being present?

The speaker shares that they struggled with prayer because their prayer was not real, stemming from being disconnected from the present moment. They highlight that true prayer emerges when one is grounded in the present, with nothing to distract them from being truly alive in that moment.

What lessons does the speaker draw from the teachings of St. Sophian?

The speaker reflects on St. Sophian’s teaching that the only time that truly exists is the present. The past and the future are distractions that can prevent us from experiencing God and living fully in the moment. By focusing on the present, one can fully live and experience God's presence.

Why does the speaker emphasize the importance of pain and suffering in spiritual growth?

The speaker believes that suffering and pain ground us in the present moment, stripping away distractions from the past and future. These difficult experiences force us to focus on the here and now, where true prayer and connection with God can occur.

What does the speaker say about the relationship between suffering and prayer?

The speaker notes that in moments of deep suffering, people often experience a heightened sense of presence and prayer. Pain forces us to be real and present, which in turn leads to more genuine and heartfelt prayer.

How does the speaker use the metaphor of the 'cell' in spiritual practice?

The speaker refers to the 'cell' as a metaphor for focusing on the present moment. When all external distractions are removed, and only the present is left, we are able to find ourselves and engage in meaningful prayer. The 'cell' becomes a space of solitude and clarity.

What is the significance of the story of St. Brendan's beehive cell?

The beehive cell, where St. Brendan lived, symbolizes a place of solitude, focus, and prayer. The speaker reflects on how being in such a place, physically present in the space where the saint once lived, serves as a reminder to reconnect with the present and ground oneself spiritually.

What does the speaker mean by 'compromising the present moment'?

Compromising the present moment occurs when we allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by memories of the past or anxieties about the future. The speaker warns that doing so causes us to miss out on experiencing the fullness of the current moment, which is where God resides.