The Nature of Prayer
The pilgrim's entire journey is sparked by trying to fulfill this biblical command.
Pray without ceasing
Many of the pilgrim's encounters revolve around explaining or demonstrating this central practice that the pilgrim uses for prayer without ceasing.
The Jesus Prayer
What is the ultimate goal of the Jesus Prayer? i.e. how are you supposed to pray it?
To pray from the heart, which is the only way to achieve prayer without ceasing
It is more important to _______, than to pray a few times with sincerity.
It is more important to pray constantly, always reaching out to God whether or not you feel His presence in your prayer, than to pray a few times with sincerity
The appendix expands on what traditional Eastern Christian spiritual text used by the pilgrim.
The Philokalia
What physical feeling does the pilgrim experience when he 'levels up' in his Jesus Prayer?
An ache, or a pain in a part of his body, before the feeling becomes pleasant and warm.
In which encounter did we see God's direct response, and the most favourable result, of praying the Jesus Prayer without ceasing?
The young boy who died, and went into the arms of Christ
With regard to prayer and our spiritual lives, what does the author suggest is the only thing within our control / our will?
The quantity of prayer
How does the book describe self-love? What is it's purpose?
Self-love is described as self-preservation. It's purpose is to make people turn to God in prayer when they are in need.
The teachings of the Church Fathers show that praying the Jesus Prayer correctly involves attention to this specific inner movement.
The descent of the mind into the heart
In trying to help others, what does the author suggest is more powerful than outward acts of charity, or physical works?
Silent prayer for others
Which encounter was the most detrimental to the pilgrim, but was most beneficial to someone else?
The pilgrim was accused of sexually harassing a young woman, and was exiled from the community. As a result, the young woman was no longer forced to marry, and the pilgrim was thanked by the woman's mother.
The author states that there is a 'natural mystery' that cannot be explained by science, and can only be overcome through prayer, and by turned to God for help. What is this mystery?
Hint: We saw an example of this in two different encounters, and were all very confused
Obsession.
Encounters: the man who wanted to jump into a freezing lake and died, and the man who wanted to jump off a cliff.
In the 5th narrative, the pilgirm goes to confess to a priest. What is NOT one of the core sins the priest says the pilgrim failed to confess?
(a) I do not love God
(b) I lack fundamental spiritual truths
(c) I have no love for my neighbour
(d) I have no faith in spiritual realities
(e) I am filled with pride and sensual self-love
(b) I lack fundamental spiritual truths
What are the 3 keys to the interior treasure house of prayer, as defined by the teachings of the Holy Fathers?
1. Constancy in invoking the Name of Jesus Christ
2. Attention while invoking His Name;
3. Entering one's self, or, as the Fathers of the Church say, the mind entering the heart.