Father Eric Nielsen joins Patrick to discuss Mental Prayer
(3:10) what are the different types of prayer?
(8:38) How do you get started with doing mental prayer?
(19:30) Break 1
Norman - Prayer saved my life. Married 50 years, and it saved my marriage. Scripture played a big role.
Joseph - Mental health patient for over 30 years. Discovered that mental prayer with thoughts intrusive and non-intrusive come in. We are not our thoughts. I used to think that when I was younger and that caused a lot of guilt. Thoughts are there and they will pass. One can make that a cross.
(30:37) Why is mental prayer important?
Thomas - Beautiful Catholic body and soul and how they play into prayer. Can play into contemplation. I suffer with OCD and it helps me with my mental prayers to be mindful and be locked on the Eucharist.
(39:30) Break 2
Maria - Busy mother of 5. He mentioned that you can't grow in holiness without mental prayer. Is there a way to adapt it or condensed form for a busy mom?
(45:34) Teresa - Recently re-converted. Deep into it (adoration, Legion of Mary, etc.). Having a hard time with connection with mental prayer. Thinking about things and being distracted. Rosary is fine, but anything else causes everything to go.
Mary - Dominican Tertiary. I have been praying mental prayer for quite some time, but I don't know if I'm doing it correctly. I don't know that I'm understanding it.