Contemplative Prayer for Christians with Stress and ... · Contemplative Prayer for Christians with Stress and Anxiety: Theoretical and Empirical Support ... been “secularized,”

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithStressandAnxiety:TheoreticalandEmpiricalSupportJoshuaKnabb,PsyD,ABPP

Director,PsyD Program

AssociateProfessorofPsychology

CaliforniaBaptistUniversity

Objectives• Compareandcontrastcontemplativeprayerandmindfulnessmeditationformanagingstressandanxiety� Theoreticalfoundations� Coreconcepts�Mechanismsofchange� Techniquesforeachapproach

• IdentifytheemergingresearchoncontemplativeprayerforChristianswithstressandanxiety

• ExploreareasforfutureresearchontheuseofcontemplativeprayerforChristianswithstressandanxiety

Introduction“Unlessapersonsaysinhisheart,’IaloneandGodareintheworld,’hewillnotfindrest”AbbaAlonius

“Itisnotpossessingsomethingthatisharmful,butbeingattachedtoit”AbbaZosimas

TheExplosionofMindfulness• Inthe21st century,mindfulness-basedinterventionshavehadasignificantimpactonclinicalpsychology

• Examples� Mindfulness-basedstressreduction(MBSR)� Mindfulness-basedcognitivetherapy(MBCT)� Acceptanceandcommitmenttherapy(ACT)� Dialecticalbehaviortherapy(DBT)� Compassion-focusedtherapy(CFT)

• Sometimesreferredtoas“thirdwave”or“acceptance-based”

• Balanceacceptanceandchangeinthetherapyroom

• Mindfulnessaddressestherecurrentnatureofpsychiatricdisorders

TheBasicIngredientsofMindfulness• Afewbasicingredients� Focusingononeaspectofawareness� Stayingrootedinthepresentmoment� Practicingnon-judgment� Relatingtothoughtsandfeelingswithcompassion,distance,andflexibility

• Vehiclethroughwhichtopromoteacceptanceoftheinnerworld

• Clientscanusemindfulnesstoanchorthemselvestothepresentmoment(ratherthanruminatingaboutthepastorworryingaboutthefuture)

• Althoughmindfulnesshasmorerecentlybeen“secularized,”ithasitsrootsintheBuddhisttradition

NonattachmentandMindfulness• NonattachmenthasbeenoperationalizedintheclinicalpsychologyliteratureinrecentyearsbydrawingfromBuddhism

• Mediatingvariablethathelpstoexplainthelinkbetweenmindfulnessandvariousmentalhealthoutcomes

• Definedas“releasefrommentalfixations”(Sahdra,Shaver,&Brown,2010)

• Involvesbeinginthemomentwithoutclingingtoorpushingawayeitherpositiveornegativeexperiences

• Nonattachmentmediatestherelationshipbetweenmindfulnessandpsychologicalvariables,suchasdistressandlifesatisfaction(Coffey&Hartman,2008;Sahdra,Ciarrochi,&Parker,2016)

ABriefHistoryoftheContemplativeTradition• Aroundthethirdcentury,ChristiansbeganmovingtothedeserttocultivateadeeperunionwithGod,rejectingsocietalemphasesonwealthandmaterialpossessions

• Inthedesert,monkswouldfrequentlyrecitethePsalmsinanefforttofocusonGod,pivotingawayfromperceivedtemptationsfromdemons

• SimilartoJesus’temptationinthedesert(Matthew4:1-11),thesemonksusedshortphrasesinscripturetocombattemptationsandunitewithGod(Harmless,2004;Paintner,2012)

ABriefHistoryoftheContemplativeTradition• ShortenedphrasesledtotheJesusPrayer(i.e.,“LordJesusChrist,SonofGod,havemercyonme,asinner”),aswellasotherapophatic formsofprayer(Harmless,2004;Paintner,2012)

• Asanexamplefromthe14th century,intheCloudofUnknowing,theanonymousauthorsuggeststhatsomeChristiansgettoapointwheretheylongtoreachouttoGodinlove,ratherthanknowledge,placingalloftheirthoughtsbeneatha”cloudofforgetting”duringcontemplativepractice

• Usingasingle-syllableprayerword(e.g.,“God,”“love”),contemplativeslookuptoGod,whoexistsbeyondadark,densecloud,lettinggoofallothercognitiveeffortstoknowhim

TheDesertintheContemplativeTradition• Forearlydesertmonks,thedesertrepresentedastrippingawayofmaterialpossessionsinordertocultivateadeeperunionwithGod—a“desertpsychology”(Laird,2006)

• Ratherthanrelyingonsocietalcomforts,thesedesertmonkswouldletgoofeffortstomaskornumbinnerpain

• Instead,theywouldattempttoenduretheinnerandouterworld,yieldingtoGod’spresenceandrelyingentirelyonhimforlife(Chryssavgis,2008;Paintner,2012)

TheCellintheContemplativeTradition•Withinthecontemplativetradition,the“cell”isasmallroomthatmonkslivedin,representingtheplacetheygottoknowtheinnerworldthroughwatchfulness(nepsis)� “Gositinyourcell,andyourcellwillteachyoueverything”

• Inthecell,whereinmonkswouldbattletemptingthoughts(logismoi),Godwaswiththemsotheycouldpatientlyendurewithasenseofhope(hupomone)(Chryssavgis,2008;Paintner,2012)

DetachmentintheContemplativeTradition• TheChristiantraditionhasitsownversionofnonattachment�“Detachmentisanactofspiritualfreedom.Itisalsothevirtueofhabituallychoosingoutoffreedomnotcompulsion,fear,orroutine”(Lonsdale,2004,p.234)�“Correctingone’sownanxiousgraspinginordertofreeoneselfforcommittedrelationshipwithGod”(Miles,1983,p.111)

• DetachmentsynonymsinChristianity:self-forgetfulness,humility,self-denial,self-sacrifice,self-renunciation(Lonsdale,2004)• Jesusistheperfectexample,yieldingtotheFather’swilltofulfillhisearthlymission

DetachmentintheContemplativeTradition• JohnCalvinevendiscusseddetachmentwithin”TheRulesofRightPrayer”inInstitutesoftheChristianReligion� “Wearetoridourselvesofallalienandoutsidecares,bywhichthemind,itselfawanderer,isborneabouthitherandthither,drawnawayfromheaven,andpresseddowntoearth.ImeanthatitoughttoberaisedaboveitselfthatitmaynotbringintoGod'ssightanythingourblindandstupidreasoniswonttodevise,norholditselfwithinthelimitsofitsownvanity,butrisetoapurityworthyofGod”

IngredientsinContemplativePrayer• TheJesusPrayerintheEast(Johnson,2010)� FocusingtheattentiononGod(proseuch)� RememberingGod(mneme theou)� Remainingwatchfulovertheinnerworld(nepsis),includingtemptingthoughts(logismoi)

� Cultivatingastill,peacefulinnerstate(hesychia)� IndirectwayofrelatingdifferentlytonegativethoughtsviarepeatedlypivotingtoGod(Ware,2000)

• TheCloudofUnknowingintheWest(Knabb,Vazquez,Wang,&Bates,2017)� Usingasingle-syllableprayerwordtofocusonGod� Detachingfromeverythingelsebygentlyplacingallotherthoughtsandfeelingsbeneatha“cloudofforgetting”

� Cultivating“humbledetachment”� Surrenderingrepetitivenegativethinking,includingworryandintoleranceofuncertainty,toGod,overandoveragain

IngredientsinContemplativePrayer• Puritansevenhadtheirownsimilarformofshortprayer—ejaculatoryprayer� “Short,spontaneousoutreachestoGodpromptedbyeverydayevents”(Bremer,2012,p.198)

� “Ejaculatoryprayers[are]asarrowsinthehandofamightyman…Happyisthemanthathashisquiverfullofthem”(Bremer,2012,p.198)

� “Untowhichprayersthereisnotrequiredthatweshoulduseourvoiceorgesturesofthebodywhichareusedinsetprayers…butsuddenandshortejaculation...adartinguntotheThroneofGrace”(Wakefield,1959,p.68)

PossibleBiblicalInspirationforContemplativePrayer• TheJesusPrayer� InstancesinthegospelswhereinindividualsaskedJesusformercy(see,e.g.,Luke18:38)

� “Praywithoutceasing”(1Thessalonians5:16-18)

• TheCloudofUnknowing� “Since,then,youhavebeenraisedwithChrist,setyourheartsonthingsabove,whereChristis,seatedattherighthandofGod.Setyourmindsonthingsabove,notearthythings”(Colossians3:1-2)

� “TheLORDsaidtoMoses,‘Iamgoingtocometoyouinadensecloud…[atMountSinai]’”(Exodus19:9)

InstructionsinContemplativePrayer• JesusPrayer� “LordJesusChrist,SonofGod,havemercyonme,asinner”� Breathinwithfirsthalf,andoutwithsecondhalf� FirsthalfisaboutinvitingGodin,andthesecondhalfisaboutlettinggo� Trytoreciteabout100timesin20to30minutes� Focusonthemeaning,ratherthanrepetition� Since“mercy”(eleos)canalsomeanoliveoil(usedforhealinginancienttimes),compassion,andempathy,viewtheJesusPrayerasawaytoaskJesustohelpyousoothetheinnerworldwithcompassionandempathy

• CloudofUnknowing� Recitetheprayerword(“Lord,”“God,”“love”)asawaytofocusonGod� Placeallelsebeneatha“cloudofforgetting”

PossibleMechanismofActioninContemplativePrayer• Cultivatinganattitudeofsurrender,detachment,andtrustbeforeGodwhenrelatingtodifficultstress- andanxiety-relatedthoughtsandfeelings

• GentlypivotingfromapreoccupationwiththoughtsandfeelingstoGod’spresence

• Anxiety:catastrophizingabouttomorrow’suncertainties;contemplativeprayerhelpsChristianstoacceptuncertaintyandletgoofworry,giventheireyesarefocusedonGod’sprovidential,soothingcare

• Stress:environmentaldemandsseeminglyexceedChristians’abilitytohandlethem;contemplativeprayerhelpstofirstfocusonGod’spresence,includinghisprovidentialcare,followedbyacommitmenttolivingoutJesus’teachings

ChristianPsychotherapyandContemplativePrayer• Thedesertandthecellsymbolizeacceptance,enduringinnerpainbecauseGodispresent

• ChristianclientscanlearntoendurepsychicpainbecausetheyarecultivatinganawarenessofGod’sactive,lovingpresence—Godoffersstrengthandhopeduringmomentsofstressandanxiety

• Christianclientsaretemptedintheirsymboliccell,butcanendurebecauseofGod’sloving,sovereignpresence

• ThevehiclethroughwhichacceptanceandunionwithGodcanbecultivatediscontemplativepractice,ratherthanmindfulnessmeditation

MindfulnessVersustheContemplativeTradition• Buddhistmindfulnessmeditation� Focusononethinginthepresentmoment(withthebreathorthesenses)

� Non-judgmentallyshifttothepointoffocuswhenthemindhasdrifted

� “Clinging,”“attachment,”“desire,”and“permanence”aresourcesofsufferingthataretoberelinquishedinordertoaccepthowthingsare

� Sincetheselfisanillusion,no-selfiscultivatedtoachieveoneness

• Contemplativeprayer� FocusonGodinthepresentmoment(withasingle-syllableprayerwordortheJesusPrayer)

� PivotfrominnerorouterpreoccupationstoGodwhenthemindhaswandered

� Centralgoalisnottoamelioratesufferingthroughlettinggoofaseparateself,butadeeperunionwithGod

� Healingthedarkenednous,corruptedduetosin

PrioritizingEpistemologies• Asanalternativetomindfulnessmeditation(i.e.,operationalizingBuddhistpsychologyandusingthescientificmethodforvalidation),ChristianpsychologistscanstartwithaChristianworldview,usingthescientificmethodtoinvestigatedistinctlyChristiantheoriesandinterventions(Roberts&Watson,2010)�Withthisapproach,contemplativeChristianitycanbeusedasastartingpoint,drawingfromtheBible(i.e.,divinerevelation)andtherichcontemplativeheritage(e.g.,theSayingsoftheDesertFathers)inordertodesign,administer,andtestChristianapproachestotreatment

PrioritizingEpistemologies• I’vebeenemboldenedasaChristian inmyreadingofthemindfulnessliterature,inthatauthorsandresearchersareincreasinglydrawingfromBuddhistwritingsastheydesignnewinterventions(Grabovac,Lau,&Willett,2011)

• Ifthisisso,whycan’tChristianpsychologistsbuildandtesttheorybasedonthecontemplativeliterature,whichoffersanastute,well-developedpsychospiritualunderstandingofthehumancondition?

• Whystartwiththemindfulnessliterature,somehow“Christianizing”Buddhistmeditation?

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram• Myinspirationforthisthree-partstudy(andsubsequentworkbook)camefrommyreadingofTrustfulSurrendertoDivineProvidence

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram• InthisJesuitwritingfromover300yearsago,theauthormadethepointthatpeaceandhappinessarepossibleifChristianscanlearntosurrendertoGod’sprotectivecare,trustinginhisinfinitepower,goodness,andwisdom

• Theauthorarguesthat,reminiscentofaparentwhotrustsasurgeontoremoveatumorfromhisorherchild’sbody,ChristianscanlearntotrustthatGodisactiveandpresentfrommomenttomoment,eveninthemidstofsuffering

• ThisspecificunderstandingisconsistentwiththeJesuitcontemplativetraditioningeneral,whichteachesChristiansto“findGodinallthings”

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram• Amongbothacollege(N =209)andcommunity(N =99)sample,Ifoundsupportforanoverallmodelfit,withuncertaintymediating(partiallyandfully,respectively)therelationshipbetweensurrenderandworry

• Therefore,Idesignedaneight-weekmanual—drawingfromthecontemplativeliterature—tohelpChristianswithchronicworrytolerateuncertaintybylearningtosurrendertoGod’sprovidenceviadailycontemplativepractice

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram• Week1:Explainthemodelfortheprogram

• Week2:Introductiontocontemplativeprayer

• Week3:TheJesuittraditionandthe“PrayeroftheSenses”

• Week4:TheJesusPrayer

• Week5:CenteringPrayer

• Week6:ContinuewithCenteringPrayer

• Week7:TheWelcomingPrayer

• Week8:Abriefversionofcontemplativeprayer

ContemplativePrayerforChristianswithChronicWorry:AnEight-WeekProgram• Resultsrevealedlargeeffectspre- topost-treatmentforintoleranceofuncertainty,worry,depression,anxiety,andstress,aswellasmediumeffectsforpositiveviewsofGod’sprovidenceandsurrenderasaformofreligiouscoping(N =13)

• Inthedebriefingsession,manyoftheparticipantsreportedthatsurrenderingtoGod’sprovidencethroughdailycontemplativeprayerchangedtheirlife,helpingthemtoletgooftheirpursuitofworry

OtherRecentStudies—TheJesusPrayer• Irecentlyconductedarandomizedcontrolledtrialonatwo-weekonlinecontemplativeprayerprogramforChristiancollegestudentswithself-describeddailystress(Knabb&Vazquez,2016)

• ParticipantswererandomlyassignedtoaJesusPrayergroup(n =44),whichinvolvedrecitingtheJesusPrayerfor10minutesperday(basedonanaudiorecording),orawait-listgroup(n =42)

• Resultsrevealedwithinandbetweengroupdifferencesafteratwo-weekperiodoftime

• Onascalemeasuringperceivedstress,amedium(almostlarge)pre- toposttreatmenteffectfortheJesusPrayergroupemerged,withnosignificantdifferenceamongthewait-listgroup

OtherRecentStudies—TheCloudofUnknowing• Inamorerecentstudy,IattemptedtooperationalizetheCloudofUnknowing,exploring“humbledetachment”asavariablethatmediatestherelationshipbetweensurrenderingtoGod’sprovidenceandrepetitivenegativethinkingamongChristiancollegestudents(Knabb,Vazquez,Wang,&Bates,2017)

• “Humbledetachment”� “A detached,flexible,humbleabilityto(a)letgoofthetendencytoclutchorpushawayapreoccupationwithinnerexperiencesandtheself,and(b)pivotfromapreoccupationwiththeselfandinnerexperiencestoamoretranscendentawarenessofGod’sactive,lovingpresence”

• HumbledetachmentmediatedtherelationshipbetweensurrenderingtoGod’sprovidenceandrepetitivenegativethinking(ruminationandworry)amongcollegestudents

• WearecurrentlydevelopingamanualizedpreventativeprogramforChristianswithrepetitivenegativethinking,usingtheteachingsoftheCloudofUnknowing

FutureDirections• Scaledevelopment• Randomizedtrials• Preventativeprograms• Somepossibleconceptstofurtherdevelop�Nepsis,hesychia,detachment,“desertpsychology”(Laird,2006),andcompunction

• Overall,weneedadditionalresearcherstooperationalizethecontemplativeliteratureasaChristian-sensitivealternativetoBuddhistmindfulnessmeditation� Coreaimsaredifferent—unionwithGodversusno-self

ContactInformation• Foradditionalquestions(orforthePowerPointslides),[email protected]

ReferencesBremer,F.(2012).BuildinganewJerusalem:JohnDavenport,aPuritaninthreeworlds.NewHaven,CT:YaleUniversityPress.

Cryssavgis,J.(2008).Intheheartofthedesert:Thespiritualityofthedesertfathersandmothers.Bloomington,IN:WorldWisdom,Inc.

Coffey,K.,&Hartman,M.(2008).Mechanismsofactionintheinverserelationshipbetweenmindfulnessandpsychologicaldistress.ComplementaryHealthPracticeReview,13,79-91.

Grabovac,A.,Lau,M.,&Willett,B.(2011).Mechanismsofmindfulness:ABuddhistpsychologicalmodel.Mindfulness,2,154-166.

Harmless,W.(2004).DesertChristians:Anintroductiontotheliteratureofearlymonasticism.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress.

Johnson,C.(2010).Theglobalizationofhesychasm andtheJesusprayer:Contestingcontemplation.NewYork:Continuum.

ReferencesKnabb,J.,&Frederick,T.(2017).ContemplativeprayerforChristianswithchronicworry:Aneight-weekprogram.NewYork:Routledge.

Knabb,J.,&Vazquez,V.(2016).Arandomizedcontrolledtrialofatwo-weekInternet-basedcontemplativeprayerprogramforChristianswithdailystress.Manuscriptsubmittedforpublication.

Knabb,J.,Vazquez,V.,Wang,K.,&Bates,T.(2017).“Unknowing”inthe21st century:HumbledetachmentforChristianswithrepetitivenegativethinking.Manuscriptsubmittedforpublication.

Knabb,J.,Frederick,T.,&Cumming,G.(2017).SurrenderingtoGod’sprovidence:Athree-partstudyonprovidence-focusedtherapyforrecurrentworry(PFT-RW).PsychologyofReligionandSpirituality,9,180-196.

Laird,M.(2006).Intothesilentland:AguidetotheChristianpracticeofcontemplation.NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress.

Lonsdale,D.(2005).Detachment.InP.Sheldrake(Ed.),ThenewWestminsterdictionaryofChristianspirituality(p.234).Louisville,KY:WestminsterJohnKnoxPress.

Miles,M.(1983).Detachment.InG.Wakefield(Ed.),TheWestminsterdictionaryofChristianspirituality (p.111).Philadelphia,PA:TheWestminsterPress.

ReferencesPaintner,C.(2012).Desertfathersandmothers:EarlyChristianwisdomsayings.Woodstock,VT:SkyLight PathsPublishing.

Roberts,R.,&Watson,P.(2010).AChristianpsychologyview.InE.Johnson(Ed.),Psychology&Christianity:Fiveviews(pp.149-198).DownersGrove,IL:InterVarsity Press.

Sahdra,B.,Ciarrochi,J.,&Parker,P.(2016).Nonattachmentandmindfulness:Relatedbutdistinctconstructs.PsychologicalAssessment,28, 819-829.

Sahdra,B.,Shaver,P.,andBrown,K.(2010).Ascaletomeasurenonattachment:ABuddhistcomplementtoWesternresearchonattachmentandadaptivefunctioning.JournalofPersonalityAssessment,92, 116–127.

Wakefield,G.(1959).Puritandevotion:ItsplaceinthedevelopmentofChristianpiety.Eugene,OR:Wipf andStockPublishers.

Ware,K.(2000).Theinnerkingdom.Crestwood,NY:St.Vladimir’sSeminaryPress.