Join Dan Burke and Melissa Elson as they reflect on the meditations of Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen on the transition from meditation to contemplation. 

Topics/Questions Covered in the Show:

• We must have an understanding of the transition from meditation to contemplation in order to cooperate with God. 
• How can someone advance in the spiritual life if they have trouble meditating?
• Meditating is both thinking about Scripture and entering into the readings through discursive and affective meditation.
• Vocal prayer done well can lead us to deeper meditation.
• Is everyone called to the contemplative life?
• Is it possible for God to withhold a soul from contemplation and keep them in the meditative stage of prayer?
• You must become aware of the depths of your sin and become reliant on Jesus to purify you.
• When you are unable to meditate on Scripture, do you keep reading or are there tricks to meditation?
• What are some of the common experiences when someone is transitioning from meditation to contemplation?

Resources:

• Spiritualdirection.com - website
• EWTN Global Catholic Radio
• Avila Institute for Spiritual Formation
• EWTN Religious Catalogue - online
• Divine Intimacy by Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen
• The Ascent of Mount Carmel by St. John of the Cross
• The Contemplative Rosary by Dan Burke and Connie Rossini
• Into the Deep: Finding Peace Through Prayer by Dan Burke
• 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - USCCB Bible link
• Questions? Send an e-mail to Questions@myavila.com or call 818-646-7729. Please leave your name, location, and question(s).