The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - A review: JRRT's Osanwe-Kenta [ missing bit of The Silm.]

**lindil** · 08-14-2002, 07:58 AM

Helen:"Thanks again for posting this. I'm chewing slowly on it... Are you familiar (at all) with Centering Prayer, originally a catholic discipline but now becoming downright emcumenical?"

Lindil:I have read of it, and imagine it would be useful as a basis. The Jesus prayer described in the latter-mentioned Philokalia is in my mind along w/ fasting going to be the way that one would most naturally gain Osanwe [that and raw/living food] naturally - as far as it might be given to one. As I am Orthodox, I am much more in tune and agreement w/ traditional and saint inspired/transmitted practices than more modern creations such as the centering prayer [ though I still use some of the Taoist practices I learned way back to keep my mind calm, nervous and endocrine system more or less balanced, these are basically nothing more than very elaborate methods of warming the being up for Prayer.]

Helen:"... Have you read that letter where he encourages his son Michael to attend communion in a church in which he does not particularly feel drawn to the people? TOlkien's point is that in praying for the people (and also the priest) that so annoys you, you are more living out the idea of communion, and it will mean more. There's something quite deep in what he's telling his son, I think."
lindil: I agree. Most of us have to work extremely hard to see past our pre-conceptions [ or lack of thought] on such a huge # of factors that color or life. Most people seem to choose their religion based on family, convienence, like/dislike of the people involved, etc. So little energy is put towards asking God to show us the Truth, no matter what it is or how uncomfortable it may be.

There may(?, I'm guessing) even be some mention of all this in the Philokaia (Actually I'd be surprised if there wasn't, the Philokalia covers SOOO much ground... I've only read short excerpts...

lindil: The Philokalia is def. considered to be THE book after the Bible which teaches one to pray w/out ceasing and to understand the fullness of the teaching of the saints and the Church on everything essential to Spiritual Warfare, Enlightenment and Union w/ God.
I am no expert in these matters though. that is for sure [ as my confessor will confirm!] but I have many times stood in silent awe after reading the Philokalia, having been give a glimpse through it's pages of what humans really are and could be w/ unflagging devotion to accepting grace. Indeed the Philokalia [ and it's wonderful companion 'the Way of a Pilgrim' are probably along w/ the Bible what would go w/ me to the 'desert isle'.

The main catch w/ the Philokalia is that to really get it, and be able to practice what is mentioned yuo must be a an organic member of the community that it came out of, the Orthodox Church. Transmission is everything here. Trying to read it and practice on one's own will only go so far.
I had a hard time w/ that at first but finally [ and gratefully] realized the truth of it.

Helen:This topic rocks...

lindil: [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

There are a few other things along theis line at the old Osanwe website. I don't have the link handy but anyone interested can email me.
lindil@email.com

[ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ]

08-14-2002, 07:58 AM	#27
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	Helen:"Thanks again for posting this. I'm chewing slowly on it... Are you familiar (at all) with Centering Prayer, originally a catholic discipline but now becoming downright emcumenical?" Lindil:I have read of it, and imagine it would be useful as a basis. The Jesus prayer described in the latter-mentioned Philokalia is in my mind along w/ fasting going to be the way that one would most naturally gain Osanwe [that and raw/living food] naturally - as far as it might be given to one. As I am Orthodox, I am much more in tune and agreement w/ traditional and saint inspired/transmitted practices than more modern creations such as the centering prayer [ though I still use some of the Taoist practices I learned way back to keep my mind calm, nervous and endocrine system more or less balanced, these are basically nothing more than very elaborate methods of warming the being up for Prayer.] Helen:"... Have you read that letter where he encourages his son Michael to attend communion in a church in which he does not particularly feel drawn to the people? TOlkien's point is that in praying for the people (and also the priest) that so annoys you, you are more living out the idea of communion, and it will mean more. There's something quite deep in what he's telling his son, I think." lindil: I agree. Most of us have to work extremely hard to see past our pre-conceptions [ or lack of thought] on such a huge # of factors that color or life. Most people seem to choose their religion based on family, convienence, like/dislike of the people involved, etc. So little energy is put towards asking God to show us the Truth, no matter what it is or how uncomfortable it may be. There may(?, I'm guessing) even be some mention of all this in the Philokaia (Actually I'd be surprised if there wasn't, the Philokalia covers SOOO much ground... I've only read short excerpts... lindil: The Philokalia is def. considered to be THE book after the Bible which teaches one to pray w/out ceasing and to understand the fullness of the teaching of the saints and the Church on everything essential to Spiritual Warfare, Enlightenment and Union w/ God. I am no expert in these matters though. that is for sure [ as my confessor will confirm!] but I have many times stood in silent awe after reading the Philokalia, having been give a glimpse through it's pages of what humans really are and could be w/ unflagging devotion to accepting grace. Indeed the Philokalia [ and it's wonderful companion 'the Way of a Pilgrim' are probably along w/ the Bible what would go w/ me to the 'desert isle'. The main catch w/ the Philokalia is that to really get it, and be able to practice what is mentioned yuo must be a an organic member of the community that it came out of, the Orthodox Church. Transmission is everything here. Trying to read it and practice on one's own will only go so far. I had a hard time w/ that at first but finally [ and gratefully] realized the truth of it. Helen:This topic rocks... lindil: [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] There are a few other things along theis line at the old Osanwe website. I don't have the link handy but anyone interested can email me. lindil@email.com [ August 14, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ] __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.