Mental Prayer - The Inner Life - October 28, 2024

Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Mental Prayer (3:10) what are the different types of prayer? (8:38) How do you get started with doing mental prayer? (19:30) Break 1 Norman - Prayer saved my life.  Married 50 years, and it saved my marriage.  Scripture played a big role. Joseph - Mental health patient for over 30 years.  Discovered that mental prayer with thoughts intrusive and non-intrusive come in.  We are not our thoughts.  I used to think that when I was younger and that caused a lot of guilt.  Thoughts are there and they will pass.  One can make that a cross. (30:37) Why is mental prayer important? Thomas - Beautiful Catholic body and soul and how they play into prayer.  Can play into contemplation.  I suffer with OCD and it helps me with my mental prayers to be mindful and be locked on the Eucharist. (39:30) Break 2 Maria - Busy mother of 5.  He mentioned that you can't grow in holiness without mental prayer. Is there a way to adapt it or condensed form for a busy mom? (45:34) Teresa - Recently re-converted. Deep into it (adoration, Legion of Mary, etc.).  Having a hard time with connection with mental prayer.  Thinking about things and being distracted.  Rosary is fine, but anything else causes everything to go. Mary - Dominican Tertiary.  I have been praying mental prayer for quite some time, but I don't know if I'm doing it correctly. I don't know that I'm understanding it.