St. Augustine, Isn’t This Just “Navel Gazing”?
Question 017. But isn’t the “going into ourselves” thing narcissistic? More than an introversion, prayer is a transcendence of oneself. Do not wander outside of yourself, but return into yourself, for within the interior man dwells the truth. And when you discover that you too are mutable, transcend yourself. You transcend a reasoning soul. Therefore, gravitate towards that place where your reason is illuminated… You [God] were more internal than what was intimate in me, [...]
St. Augustine, Where Should I Go to Find God?
Question 016. Where should I look for God? It is difficult to find Christ in the crowd. Your mind needs a certain solitude, for it is only by this type of contemplative solitude that God is seen… purify the chamber of your heart. Regardless of where you are, there pray, for he who dwells within, hears you. from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger. We look for the One who [...]