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Unity Way

March 28, 2004


The Art of Prayer: Alone With God
By Andrei Yashurin

We are considering the important passage from the gospel of Matthew, where Jesus advises to stay alone with God in order to receive the full benefit of prayer.

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

I am convinced that the significant part of the ministry of Jesus had to do with overcoming of mental patterns of the ancient of Israel. In religion of those days there was a strong attachment to visible "holy" objects and places of worship. But in the light of the Truth that the Master revealed, we do not have to go anywhere to get to God or to become closer to Him. God is within us and all around us. God cannot be separated from us in any way, for that would mean the end of our existence.

Everything we say about "communion" with God through prayer refers only to the process within our consciousness, in our "inner sanctuary".

What does "the shut door" symbolizes? Nothing comes in from the outside, and nothing goes out from within. As we enter into prayer, let us remember this simple rule.

We already pointed out the importance of mental detachment from the race consciousness with its errors and limitations. To help ourselves to stay free from any entanglement, we may use following denials by Charles Fillmore:

"I am no longer foolish or ignorant, and the foolishness and the ignorance of ancestry can no longer be visited upon me.

"I am free from the foolishness and the ignorance of the race and of those with whom I associate. The foolishness and the ignorance that may have been treasured up by my own understanding are now erased".

Every new idea that we receive from God comes to us as a tiny seed which should grow and develop in a friendly environment. This is why a seed is planted deep enough into the soil, where it stays invisible for a while. A seed does not lay open before the elements, for this would lead to its destruction. A seed stays hidden for a season.

After an act of conception, a child stays in a mother's womb for nine months, where it becomes big and strong enough for life in the large world and for further development. I heard that some ancient sages also recommended not to share any significant idea that we receive from God with others for nine months, until it becomes mature enough to stand against scepticism and criticism. Whether we agree to wait for such a long time or not, it is up to us, but at least we should wait for some time.

Jesus told to many of those whom He healed not to talk with anyone about their transformation. This was not only because He wanted to avoid fame. Jesus knew that for healing to be permanent, a person should be strengthened in the consciousness of wholeness.

There is a widespread tendency among spiritual seekers to display publicly their experiences. They can talk a lot about their recoveries, dreams, insights, and so forth. Of course, their excitement over newly found Truth and its demonstration is understandable. A less noble human desire to have public attention is understandable, too. But as we grow in wisdom, let us not allow ourselves to act in such ways. There is a time to speak, but also there are times to stay quiet. Listening to the Spirit within, we will know how to act in our particular situation.

"After prayer, be careful not to agitate your heart, lest you spill some of the precious balm you have received", wrote St. Francis of Sales.


E-mail: pczine@yandex.ru

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All messages (c) 2004 by Andrei Yashurin

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