Chapter II. Nine means of help to attain devotion

There are many things, then, which will assist us in Devotion. First of all, a good step towards this will be taken when we enter upon these holy exercises with great reality and earnestness, with a heart determined and offered to do all that is needful for obtaining this “ Pearl of great price,” however arduous and difficult it may be. For it is certain that no great matter can be without its difficulty, and it must be so especially with Devotion, at least in its first steps.

It will aid us in this, too, to keep our hearts free from all kinds of idle and vain thoughts, from all strange affections and inclinations, and from all violent and passionate emotions.

It is evident that any of these things would hinder Devotion, and that it is as necessary to have one’s heart quiet and composed for Prayer and Meditation, as it is to have the strings of our guitar in tune for music.

Another help in this will be the custody of the senses, especially of the eyes and ears and tongue. For by the tongue the heart is distracted, and by the eyes and ears it is filled with manifold imaginations, things by which the peace and calm of the soul are disturbed. Hence it is with reason said that the man of contemplation should be deaf and blind and dumb, for the less he is distracted from without, the more recollected he will be from within.

Another help towards this is solitude, because it not only puts away from the heart and the senses the occasions of distraction, and the occasions of sin, but it also leads one to retire within oneself, and hold converse with God and one’s own self, when we feel the opportunity of our position excludes any other companionship. Again, the reading of spiritual and devout books will also help in this, because they give matter for consideration, and recollectedness to the heart. They arouse Devotion and lead one to think with greater readiness upon that of which we can taste the sweetness. That with which the heart aboundeth will be more often present to the memory.

Again, the continual remembrance of God, and that we move about always in His Presence and the use of these short prayers which S. Augustine calls ejaculatory, will help us because they guard the heart’s dwelling-place, and keep up the fervour of Devotion as we have said above. It is so we find ourselves ever ready to enter upon Prayer. This is one of the principal rules of the spiritual life, and one of the best remedies for those who have neither time nor opportunity for retiring to a place of prayer. And they who always keep this in mind will very soon profit by it.

Again, the continuing and persevering in these good exercises at the times and places generally appointed, in the morning or at night, will help us; for these are the times most suitable, as all Holy Scripture teaches.

So, too, bodily austerities and discipline, the frugal table, a hard bed, the hair-cloth, the discipline and other similar things will bring aid to Meditation ; for, inasmuch as they all come out of Devotion, they will help to preserve and nourish the root from which they spring.

1 Ep. ad Prob. cap. x.

Lastly, works of mercy aid our Devotion. They give us trust and constancy in any suffering for God's sake, and bring blessings upon our prayers, for then they come forth no more from cold barren desires ; and, coming from a merciful heart, our prayers will mercifully be received.