The Definition of Mental Prayer
In her autobiography, The Life of Saint Teresa of Jesus (written c. 1565), the Saint provides the definitive Catholic understanding of the practice of Mental Prayer. Here she defines mental prayer in terms of friendship:
“Mental prayer is nothing else, in my opinion, but being on terms of friendship with God, frequently conversing in secret with Him who, we know, loves us.”
It is distinct from Vocal Prayer (the recitation of the Rosary or the Divine Office) in that the mind and heart are fixed directly upon the Divine Presence within, rather than exclusively upon prescribed formulas.
The Necessity of Prayer for Spiritual Life
According to the teaching of St. Teresa, particularly in The Interior Castle (1577), the soul is like a castle made of a single diamond or very clear crystal, containing many rooms. Mental prayer is the only door to this castle.
The Dangers of Neglect
St. Teresa warns that a soul who does not practice mental prayer is like a body that is paralyzed or crippled. It has hands and feet but cannot command them. Without the “living water” of meditation, the soul remains in the “outer courts” of the castle, surrounded by “toads and vipers”—the worldly distractions and venial sins that prevent us from reaching the King in the central chamber.
The Four Ways of Watering the Garden
To illustrate the growth of the soul through mental prayer, St. Teresa uses the famous analogy of watering a garden. This teaching is essential for understanding how God moves from our effort to His supernatural action.
Practical Advice for Laypeople
Drawing from The Way of Perfection, we find three pillars that St. Teresa insists must support our mental prayer. Without these, our prayer is a house built on sand:
- Love of One Another: We cannot seek the face of God while harboring malice toward our neighbor.
- Detachment: We must strive to be free from an inordinate love of created things. As the Imitation of Christ reminds us, we cannot have our hearts in two places at once.
- True Humility: St. Teresa famously said, “Humility is Truth.” We must approach God as we are—sinners in need of His Infinite Mercy.
“The important thing is not to think much, but to love much; and so do that which best stirs you to love.” — The Interior Castle, Fourth Mansions
How to Begin
For those in the Confraternity who struggle with distractions, the Saint suggests using a good book (such as the Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales) as a starting point to focus the mind. One should begin by placing oneself in the presence of God, perhaps considering a mystery of the Passion, and then speaking to Our Lord as a friend.
Conclusion: The Goal is Union
The purpose of mental prayer is not to feel “spiritual consolations” or “warmth.” Its purpose is the conforming of our will to the Will of God. St. Teresa is firm: the highest perfection consists not in interior favors, but in bringing our will so closely into accord with God’s that we desire only what He desires.
Let us, therefore, resolve to dedicate at least fifteen minutes each day to this “holy commerce” with the Almighty.
