SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ Ignatian contemplation makes use of guided imagery and active imagination within a selected gospel text. It is advisable to choose an action filled passage, so that it brings one’s personal desires, inclinations, emotions, problems, shadows, etc. into focus in prayer, without planning to air these. Choose an action filled passage from the [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ Meditation is a slow pondering of the text, trying to intellectually understand its significance, and to apply it to one’s life situation. Meditation in this sense, means developing an intellectual image of the text, which in turn awakens a spiritual response. In this process one becomes more conscious of the facts just [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ During your review you try and remember what stood out in your prayer. Is there something you need to return to? What did you feel, experience, encounter, like, dislike? Was there something you realised? You will later share this review with your director. If you feel there is something you do not [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ Do not bother what the drawing looks like. Use lines to draw. Do not draw any figures. Take a sheet of paper and fold it into eight equal parts. Then in each of the parts draw: Anger, Joy, Peace, Depression, Power, Illness, Femininity and one feeling of your own choice. Before you [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ Reflect on the Psalms: What does it mean? What is the psalmist trying to express? His feelings? Involve heart and soul: Use affective meditation — make the lines of the Psalm personal, catering to your needs, emotions, problems and situation. Repeat constantly: Repeat the lines of the Psalm simply but with as [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ If you find it difficult to make the shift from the intellectual to the feeling level, try for some time to avoid passages from scripture and do one of the following. Take a walk barefoot, and concentrate on the sensations on the sole of your feet. Try and concentrate on every sensation, [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ Saint Ignatius of Loyola suggests that the person choose a posture that is most conducive to prayer. Close your eyes or gaze at a fixed spot, suppressing all movements. When in this position, go over the passage or prayer you have chosen, reflecting on one or two words at a time, or [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ We often look for externals to base our prayer upon. We look for a passage from scriptures, a saying, or an episode, etc to help focus our prayer upon. We hardly ever pay attention to our personal emotions, and much less believe that they can be used as an excellent matter for [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ What does the text mean? Read the text from scripture slowly. See what the text is speaking about in its historical, cultural, moral context. How does it relate to my life? God is close to me. He knows me. The text today is telling me something. It is alive in my own [...]

SAVIO RODRIGUES SJ Read a passage from scriptures, preferably an event in the gospels. Then with the eyes of your imagination make the scene come alive to you. Now start your body movements. Use slow steps, akin to a slow waltz. Enjoy every single movement. Feel every emotion in your limbs and body. Enact the [...]