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UNITY WAY

March 21, 2004

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The Art of Prayer: Solitude

by Andrei Yashurin

As we start to concentrate on God, we will gradually learn 
to disregard opinions and expectations of people regarding 
the spiritual life. In greater and greater measure, we will 
allow the Spirit to teach and to lead us to our highest good. 

At some point of our life, we either were taught by others 
how to pray or saw them praying; and their style of communication 
with God deeply affected us. Even now we unconsciously take 
upon ourselves prevailing mental attitudes of people around 
us, imitate their patterns of speech and action. When it comes 
to prayer, we are trying to put together "the right words", 
as if its effectiveness depends on particular verbal expression. 
If our prayers are successful, we are more inclined to hold on 
to our verbalizations. 

As we consciously enter the Presence of God, let us empty 
ourselves. Only empty vessels can be filled. Let us forget 
habitual words and phrases, and to think and speak freely, 
as if we never prayed before. This suggestion might be scary 
to those who value people's opinions above their own. 
Nevertheless, it is an important step of our inner development. 
"He that would be a man must first be a nonconformist", 
wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was absolutely right. 

In the New Testament, Pharisees represent the mental tendency 
to seek approval of others, taken to the extreme. Jesus clearly 
pointed out that public attention is the only reward they will 
get. And if we are interested in something more significant than 
a reputation of a deeply religious person, we need to get beyond 
that tendency. 

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. 
For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in 
the corners of the streets, so that they may be seen by men. 
Truly I say to you, They have their reward. 
Matthew 6:5

We will underestimate the lesson of our Master if we will 
identify Pharisees with certain religious groups, either 
ancient or new. Both the Christ and Pharisees are within 
each of us. They are different stages of our consciousness, 
and our choice is to determine which one will be our controlling 
force. 

But you, when you pray, enter into your room. And shutting 
your door, pray to your Father in secret; and your Father who 
sees in secret shall reward you openly. 
Matthew 6:6

Most of teachers I've read or heard insist that these words 
of Jesus are not to be taken literally, that they refer to 
"the inner sanctuary" of our heart. While I wholly agree with 
the second part, I still think that accepting His suggestion 
at its face value will greatly benefit us. 

In order to grow in power and effectiveness of prayer, let us 
find an opportunity to be alone. Let us take time to stay in 
solitude: together with God. 

Some people are never comfortable to be alone. They are 
desperately searching for a company to be with, or at least 
for someone to talk over the phone. More than that, they 
cannot stand silence. There is always a TV, or a radio, or 
a tape player turned on in their home; and it could be that 
they all are screaming at the same time. Perhaps, the underlying 
reason for living in such a noise is that those individuals 
do not know themselves, do not love themselves, and even afraid 
of themselves. Not being able to live with themselves, they are 
looking for ways to stay absorbed in outer world. 

True spiritual life returns us to ourselves: to our inner core, 
to our roots. We discover the freedom and the courage to be 
in charge or our own life. First comes the root, then branches. 
When we use the Christ power to control our inner realm and 
to stay attuned to the Source, our outer life will unfold 
smoothly and harmoniously. 

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Andrei Yashurin: pczine@yandex.ru

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All messages (c) 2004 by Andrei Yashurin
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