The Prayer of the Listening Heart

The Center for Ignatian Spirituality (CIS) launched its Retreat for Daily Life program yesterday. There were around 60 or so retreatants and it was a whole day affair where prayer and reflection were discussed. The program aims to teach the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises where a lot of focus is given on reflection. For me, this is a new way of walking down this spiritual path and my experience yesterday was calming and reassuring.

I did receive a handout from CIS and it details The Prayer of the Listening Heart. The exercise process was simple.

1. Choose a short passage.
2. The passage or text is read three times.
3. Read the passage slowly.
4. After the first reading, repeat a word or phrase that struck you personally.
5. After the second reading, try to make an application of the text, word or phrase in your life. For example, the Lord is calling me to some form of newness.
6. After the third reading, try to make a spontaneous vocal prayer to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
7. End the prayer exercise by a short period of grateful silence on God's Presence.

Usually, after each prayer and reflection, the experience is documented through a journal. Needless to say, I'll be writing about my experience daily and how it has made me realize certain things and how God communicates. According to Fr. Celerino Reyes, SJ, intimacy happens when there is silence and it is only when we are silent that we truly hear what our heart is saying. I agree. I had an enlightening experience during the retreat and I somehow have an idea what God wants me to do.

I'm glad that I took the retreat. It has made me realize that I am blessed and protected. It has also affirmed that I'm on the right path. It does help that prayer and reflection is done daily. It's my personal moment with God and since I took this journey, I've been blessed many times over. God bless everyone! :-)