A professor in my Ignatian Spirituality class told us about a man who prayed, asking God to take away his resentment at a relative, without success. The professor said, “Show me how you pray.” The man, looking very fervent, lifted his head to the heavens and repeated over and over, “God, take this resentment away from me!” The professor looked at the man’s hands, which were clenched tight. He said, “Your words are saying you want to let this go, but your hands are telling a different story.” The man opened his hands and prayed again, and relief came to his face. Sometimes our body knows more than our mind is willing to acknowledge.
—Excerpted from 2023: A Book of Grace-Filled Days by Tom McGrath
My Hindu friend says God understands all languages. Like Sign Language, Body Language too is a form of prayer.
This sounds a little bit like “Your prayers weren’t answered because you didn’t display the right attitude”. The Spirit intercedes for us when we can’t find the right words (or posture) and goes to the depth of our being.
Mmmm
So here’s the thing…this resentment article sounds like a snap your fingers approach…the author has not convinced this reader of sufficient knowledge in this topic…or provided information for the reader to grow in self awareness
That comment is so true that our bodies know more than our minds are willing to acknowledged. I need to pay more attention to what my body is saying while praying to end resentment towards people. Rosemarie Roth