靈魂的心堡-林順明神父主講
Fourth step: Prayer of Quiet, prayer of recollection
The transition step on the interior journey through the castle of our souls, we notice that our prayer （our relationship with God） becoming simpler and purer. The form of prayer becomes simpler, and words are less. The heart of man speaks to the Heart of God and the communication occurs without an intermediary. The distractions at prayer, contributed by the memory and intellect seem to be less disturbing.
St Teresa has this to say about supernatural recollection: try not to suspend the mind or intellect but to focus the intellect, being aware that we are in God’s presence and of who God is. If the intellect feels within itself absorbed, that’s well and good, but it should not strive to understand the nature of this recollection, for it is given to the will. Let the soul enjoy the recollection without any effort other than some loving words. Suspension of the intellect will follow without effort, if only briefly.
In other words, God is one taking the lead in the prayer/conversation and he decides what happens and the outcomes of the encounter with him. Brief episodes of delight can happen （if the Lord allows it） where it is not important to understand but to love much, always trusting in the Lord to lead. The interior castles of our souls will appear more resplendent to us as we journey along. The idyllic condition of his delight （described by Confucius） in simple things in life is reflective of the state of the soul in this fourth step of his journey to God.
子曰：「飯疏食飲水，曲肱而枕之，樂亦在其中矣。不義而富且貴，於我如浮雲。」述而 （16）
The Master said, “With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow; I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness, are to me as a floating cloud.”
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