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I have read that some monks tell novices (of which I barely qualify) during the Jesus Prayer to sit and pay attention to their breathing. What are the positions for sitting (not that I'm looking for yoga here) and the methods for breathing while saying the prayer. I'm just looking for specifics, not for some New Age stuff (not that I'd expect that here!)

I'm very interested in this, it seems very simple.

One thing you WON'T find around here is new age stuff! GLROY TO GOD!!!

To me my breathing conforms to the Jesus prayer. The prayer becomes very rythmical in a way. Actuallly, you will find from anyone who has prayed it for a while, it just takes over. In the beginning it is a conscience effort on our part. However, the Jesus Prayer begins praying within us...the Scripture 'to pray without ceasing' becomes so very real. Jesus himself prays for us in words and utterences we do not know as the Jesus Prayer takes root in our lives. We become like the tree with the ax laid to it. That part of our lives which does not bare good fruit is cut off, because it cannot exist where Jesus is so fully present as he is when we receive him in the Mysteries of the Sacramental life of the Church and in the Jesus Prayer.

I find my husband waking up in the morning with his prayer rope about his wrist. He doesn't fall asleep with it on. His hands must automaticly find it during the night. It is so intimately conncected with us that the Lord grants us peace and prayer when we do not know he is praying for us.

Pani Rose

Dear Dr Eric,

Yes, unless one is under the tutelage of an experienced Elder, it is best to leave the breathing stuff alone!

St Ignatius Brianchaninov suggested that the Jesus Prayer be said slowly ("It should take half an hour to say 100 Jesus Prayers") with a pause in between each time we say it.

We should say it before an icon without trying to "induce" in any way "states of prayer" since that is not for us but for God to work in us.

St Seraphim of Sarov simply suggested that we say three Our Father's three Hail Mary's and one Creed morning, noon and night and then said the Jesus Prayer continuously in between. Even when we are speaking to someone we should continue with just "Lord have mercy."

The Jesus Prayer is about work and quantity in the beginning.

And at the end too!

Alex

Interesting, this is the second time I hear from somebody that trying to do the "breathing" part of the Jesus Prayer can be dangerous or at least is not recommended.
A friend was told by his spiritual director that he should never try the breathing as it could be dangerous though he did not explain why.

I think the danger comes with the highly developed esoteric approach that evolved in some monasteries, practically yogic in its emphasis on technique.
I find a natural rhythm occurs quite spontaneously in breathing the prayer; it is calming without being too structured, or too strained.
-Daniel

The biggest "danger" comes in trying to be at an advanced stage of prayer before one is ready for it. The descriptions of prayer in the Philokalia are there primarily for monastics who have spent years learning how to pray.

For us in our everyday walk of life, the description found in The Way of a Pilgrim is most appropriate becuase all his works of charity come out of his incessent prayer.

Yes, there is a natural rhythm in the Jesus prayer that makes it work with breathing. And there is nothing particularly wrong with finding some quiet time and praying "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God" while breathing in and "have mercy on me, a sinner." while exhaling -- but we have to be careful that we don't focus on the mechanical to the detriment of the spiritual. It is the prayer that is important, the breathing will come later as the prayer is made a part of our constant actions.

Fr. Deacon Edward

I am in the process of changing rites from Rome to Byzantine and I am very interested in using the Prayer rope does anyone know if Way of the Pilgram is good for a Catholic to use???MY understanding is that Bishop Ware is Orthodox.

rubbish. I do the breathing thing with the Jesus Prayer, and it ain't done me any harm. :rolleyes:
where do people come up with this stuff?
Much Love,
Jonn

John,

The breathing technique as described by Fr. Deacon Edward is fine. It is the practice of following the breath into the lungs and such as practiced by Hindus/Buddhist/New Agers that is proscribed by many of the Fathers that spoke on the Jesus Prayer.

Fr. Deacon Lance

This discussion is very interesting. I had heard that one was supposed to breathe in during the first part and breathe out during the second part, but I didn't know if that was legit or not.

What is the following of the breath? Not that I'm going to try it since it seems to be for those who are a little (alot!) more advance than I am.

The bottom line on the Jesus Prayer is just pray it. If you pray it with your whole heart, praying without ceasing, the prayer begins to pray within you itself. The Jesus Prayer takes care of your breathing, it is just so natural to have the name of Jesus on your lips all the time.

An example would be as I begin to knit I ask the Lord to let each stich be a prayer. Even before I realize it, the Jesus Prayer is praying...I have to catch up with it . I get totally loss in what I am doing; the yarn, the needles, me and the Jesus Prayer. All sorts of things can be going on in the house, but I am oblivious to them. The more it is prayed the more it prays within you.

Pani Rose

I suspect that most of us,Catholic and Orthodox ,have read "The Way of the Pilgrim" I certainly have learned a lot from it.

As to Bishop Kallistos Ware - yes he is "Orthodox" but don't let yourself be put off by that fact Read and enjoy.

When I look for the Way of the Pilgrim which version should I look for there are several.

Dear Friend,

The one published by Paulist Press is, in my view, the best ever ("The Pilgrim's Tale").

The Forward itself is worth the price . . .

Alex