Jeanne and Theo continued sharing experiences on the following day.
Jeanne – Yesterday, you have experimented a gentle way to approach God.
Theo. – The way I prefer, in fact. I enjoy feeling transmission and feeling that grace is flowing over me. I like that silence which becomes so dense, so cushy. I can feel the Presence intensify. It is a moment when thinking of oneself amounts to thinking of Him.
But today, Jeanne, I would like to start that work on character that the Elder values so much. He has even given me an efficient way to erase wrong memories and data, in addition to the daily practice of cleaning the impressions and complexities accumulated during the day. How do you contemplate that work on the self?
Jeanne – I cannot tell you, because I work differently. The way I follow recommends that, as a beginner, you interiorize, regularly go to confession in order to hold communion with the Lord. As we advance in our practice, we tend to be in a constant state of communion with Him. We let our soul rest in an inner silence. We pay attention to the Word. Our prayer is infused and practically ceaseless. The soul sinks deep into the heart.
Theo. – That sounds marvellous, but it doesn’t answer my question concerning the transformation of character.
– We work at being patient, Jeanne says, smiling. Patience is a must, if you want to develop faith. These acts are enough to attract Love and then God will bring about the necessary adjustments and corrections. There is no need for any conscious work. This rather innocent work is done in peace and tranquillity. The purest love is at work within the soul. Self-forgetfulness is the trust mark of purification. In silence and constant prayer, we let God take over. Finally, God won’t ever be better welcomed that by God.
The Presence had become so strong that Theo had naturally closed his eyes. The three friends then got absorbed into that contemplative silence for quite some time.
Jeanne continued:
– In the Advanced Practice, we divest our soul of its own tasks. When we identify a deficiency we immediately turn inwards. A true humble soul will not wonder at its weaknesses. It just tries to surrender to God and let Him guide it.
Theo. – Is that why you pray perpetually? Is it to occupy your mind by turning it inwards?
Jeanne – For us, prayer is essential. Beginners can use a Rosary to start with. But in fact, we pray only once, in order to connect our spirit to His Spirit. Afterwards the prayer becomes an outpouring of the heart in God’s Presence, and it is the warmth of love that makes the soul melt and rise towards God. Saint John of the Cross used to say, “Prayer is like incense rising towards God.” You must stop being yourself to let the Word be into us. Nothing can resist a prayer.
– So, we never do anything do we? asked our young friend.
Imperturbable and calm, Jeanne continued:
– In the silent prayer, it is God, His Spirit, that prompts the person to act – it is what we call ‘the movement of Grace’ – while the soul is fully at rest. This action is free, easy, natural, so much so that the person doesn’t even seem to be doing anything.
– Just like now, when you are speaking without speaking, being inspired. The Elder got me accustomed to this, the young man said, knowingly.
Theo goes on, being very focused:
– As far as I can understand, we are leaving multiplicity to enter the realm of simplicity and unite with God; we do that under the wise guidance of His Spirit. Any ordinary action will then become divine. As we withdraw, we leave room for God’s action. So, the more the soul looses its characteristics, the purer it becomes and the more innocent it is. That is the result of the Advanced Practice. But what is next?
Jeanne – The Ultimate and His Love.
Jeanne’s eyes shine bright, transmitting her blissful condition to Theophile the Younger; then, an inspired silence settles in.
Theophile the Elder
An excerpt from Dialogs with Theophile the Elder
Theophile the Younger’s initiation