A short and very easy method of prayer
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A short and very easy method of prayer
Guyon's 'short and very easy method' is deceptively simple, yet its implications for spiritual practice are vast. The 2016 CrossReach edition makes this 17th-century text accessible, but the core challenge remains: achieving the radical surrender Guyon advocates. Her emphasis on a "holy indifference" to spiritual consolations or desolations is a particularly stark point, demanding a level of detachment that few contemporary spiritual guides address so directly. The text’s brevity is both its strength and its limitation; while it avoids obfuscation, a deeper exploration of the practical application of such profound stillness might have benefited the reader. Nevertheless, for those willing to engage with its directness, this work offers a potent distillation of contemplative spirituality.
📝 Description
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Jeanne Marie Guyon's 'A short and very easy method of prayer' was first written around 1685.
This book offers a straightforward approach to contemplative prayer, as outlined by Jeanne Marie Guyon. Penned in the late 17th century and later translated by James W. Metcalf, it bypasses complex theological arguments for a practical spiritual discipline. The method centers on cultivating a quiet heart and an open mind, trusting in God's direct action within the soul.
Guyon's practice is not about ease in performance, but about clearing away hindrances to direct spiritual experience. It is aimed at anyone seeking a simpler yet powerful way to connect with the divine, whether they are new to such practices or experienced in devotion. The text is accessible, focusing on the inner disposition required for communion.
Jeanne Marie Guyon was a key figure in 17th-century French Quietism, a movement emphasizing passive surrender to God and an inward spiritual life. Her teachings, which influenced figures like Fénelon, sometimes met with opposition from religious authorities. This particular work distills her approach to prayer, making it accessible outside of more academic or monastic traditions. It reflects a Christian mystical current focused on inner transformation and immediate divine encounter.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain a direct, actionable method for contemplative prayer, focusing on the "prayer of simplicity" as outlined by Guyon, which aims to bypass discursive reasoning for direct experience. • Understand the core tenets of the Quietist movement through Guyon’s own presentation, appreciating its emphasis on divine union and the "prayer of silence" during the late 17th century. • Cultivate a spirit of "holy indifference," learning to detach from both spiritual highs and lows to foster a more stable and profound connection with the divine presence.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "easy method of prayer" described by Jeanne Marie Guyon?
The "easy method" refers to a contemplative practice focused on a simple, receptive state of the soul, often called the "prayer of simplicity." It emphasizes resting in God's presence without relying on complex meditations or petitions.
Who was Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon?
She was a French mystic and proponent of Quietism in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, known for her teachings on interior prayer and divine union. Her writings were influential but also controversial.
What is "Quietism" in the context of Guyon's work?
Quietism was a spiritual movement emphasizing passivity, detachment, and a direct, unmediated experience of God's love. Guyon's writings are central to understanding this movement's devotional aspect.
Is this book suitable for beginners in prayer?
Yes, the title suggests an "easy method." It's designed to be accessible, focusing on the essential attitude of the heart rather than complex theological or liturgical knowledge.
When was Jeanne Marie Guyon's original work first published?
Jeanne Marie Guyon's original works were published in the late 17th century, with "A short and very easy method of prayer" appearing around 1685.
What is the significance of the 2016 CrossReach Publications edition?
The 2016 edition by CrossReach Publications provides a modern, translated version, making Guyon's foundational text on contemplative prayer available to a contemporary audience.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
The Prayer of Simplicity
This theme centers on the "easy method" itself – a form of contemplative prayer characterized by its directness and simplicity. It involves cultivating a receptive state of the soul, allowing God's presence to be felt and experienced without the need for elaborate mental constructs or discursive reasoning. The emphasis is on a passive, yet attentive, willingness to be present with the divine, moving beyond petitionary or meditative forms of prayer toward a state of simple, loving awareness.
Abandonment and Holy Indifference
Central to Guyon's method is the concept of abandoning one's own will and cultivating a "holy indifference." This doesn't imply apathy, but rather a profound trust in God's providence, leading to a state where one is neither overly attached to spiritual consolations nor repelled by desolation. It's about surrendering personal desires and anxieties, finding peace in God's perfect will, which Guyon presents as the foundation for true spiritual freedom and union.
Inwardness and Divine Presence
The work strongly advocates for an inward turn, suggesting that the most profound spiritual encounters occur within the soul. Guyon directs the reader away from external religious performances toward the cultivation of an inner sanctuary where the divine presence can be intimately known. This theme underscores the belief that God is perpetually present and accessible, requiring only a quieted heart and an attentive spirit to perceive and commune with that presence.
Spiritual Transformation Through Surrender
This theme posits that true spiritual growth and transformation are achieved not through strenuous effort or intellectual achievement, but through a radical surrender to God's grace. The "easy method" facilitates this by teaching the soul to cease striving and instead to yield itself to the divine action. This process of surrender is presented as the key to overcoming the ego, purifying the heart, and ultimately achieving a state of union with God.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“It is not by doing, but by suffering God's will that we advance.”
— This statement highlights the passive, receptive nature of the prayer method. It suggests that spiritual progress comes not from active striving or performing religious duties, but from a willingness to endure and accept God's actions and will within one's life.
“The soul, being united to God, finds all its rest in Him.”
— This captures the ultimate aim of Guyon's practice: finding complete peace and fulfillment through direct communion with the divine. It implies that external circumstances become secondary when the soul is anchored in God's presence.
“Rest in God; wait patiently for Him.”
— This is a direct instruction on the practice itself. It emphasizes stillness, patience, and a deep trust in God's timing and action, forming the bedrock of the "easy method."
“To pray is to give oneself to God.”
— This interpretation simplifies prayer to an act of complete self-offering. It moves beyond the notion of prayer as mere petition or recitation, framing it as a total dedication of one's being to the divine.
“God alone is the object of the soul's desire.”
— This points to the core of "holy indifference." It suggests that the purified soul desires nothing apart from God, finding ultimate satisfaction and purpose in the divine being alone.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
Guyon's work is firmly rooted in the Christian mystical tradition, specifically within the lineage of contemplative prayer that emphasizes direct experience of the divine. While not strictly Gnostic or Kabbalistic, it shares with these traditions an interest in inner transformation and achieving a state of unity or direct communion with the Absolute. Her Quietist approach, emphasizing passivity and surrender, can be seen as a distinct branch within Christian esotericism, focusing on the soul's inner journey toward God.
Symbolism
The primary "symbol" in Guyon's work is the soul itself as a vessel for divine presence. The "easy method" is not tied to external symbols but to the internal disposition of the heart. Concepts like "darkness" (representing spiritual purification or dryness) and "light" (divine presence or union) function symbolically, representing stages in the soul's journey. The act of "suffering God's will" can be seen as a symbolic acceptance of the divine unfolding, rather than a literal depiction of hardship.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary contemplative Christian movements, centering prayer, and mindfulness practices that draw from Christian roots often echo Guyon's emphasis on stillness and receptivity. Thinkers and practitioners exploring non-dual spiritualities within Western traditions may find her emphasis on "holy indifference" and direct experience of presence particularly relevant to their own paths, bridging historical mystical theology with modern spiritual seeking.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Individuals seeking a direct, non-intellectual path to prayer, particularly those drawn to contemplative or mystical traditions within Christianity. • Students of Western Esotericism interested in the Quietist movement and its historical figures like Jeanne Marie Guyon and François Fénelon. • Those feeling overwhelmed by complex spiritual disciplines who desire a foundational practice focused on surrender and resting in divine presence.
📜 Historical Context
Jeanne Marie Bouvier de La Motte Guyon (1648-1717) was a central figure in the Quietist spiritual movement that flourished in France during the late 17th century. This era was marked by intense religious devotion but also by strict ecclesiastical control. Quietism, with its emphasis on passive contemplation and direct experience of God, often clashed with the more structured, sacramental approach favored by the Catholic Church. Guyon's teachings, particularly her "easy method" of prayer, were seen by some, including authorities like Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, as potentially heretical or promoting spiritual laxity. Her contemporary, François Fénelon, Archbishop of Cambrai, was a significant proponent and correspondent, whose own embrace of Guyon's ideas led to further controversy and condemnation by Pope Innocent XI in 1699. Despite facing periods of imprisonment and censure, Guyon's writings continued to circulate, influencing subsequent generations of mystics and contemplative practitioners.
📔 Journal Prompts
The soul's rest in God: What does this phrase evoke about your current spiritual state?
Practicing "holy indifference": How can you apply this concept to a specific daily challenge?
The "easy method" as surrender: Reflect on instances where yielding rather than striving led to spiritual insight.
Divine presence within: Where do you most readily sense God's presence in your inner life?
The act of "suffering God's will": Explore the meaning of passive reception in your spiritual journey.
🗂️ Glossary
Prayer of Simplicity
A form of contemplative prayer characterized by a simple, loving gaze upon God, free from discursive reasoning or complex meditations. It emphasizes resting in God's presence.
Quietism
A spiritual movement, prominent in the 17th century, advocating for a passive, receptive state of the soul in contemplation, emphasizing "holy indifference" and direct union with God.
Holy Indifference
A state of spiritual detachment where one is neither attached to spiritual consolations nor repelled by desolations, finding peace solely in God's will and presence.
Abandonment
The act of surrendering one's own will, desires, and anxieties to God, trusting completely in divine providence and guidance.
Discursive Reasoning
The process of logical thought, analysis, and meditation, which the "easy method" seeks to move beyond for a more direct spiritual experience.
Divine Union
The ultimate goal of many mystical traditions, referring to a state of profound and intimate connection or oneness with God.
Inner Life
The field of one's thoughts, feelings, spiritual experiences, and relationship with the divine, as distinct from external activities or worldly concerns.
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