Stairway to the Throne

Stages of Prayer

The ascending steps of prayer according to St. Teresa Of Avila

                                                              __________

                                                         9. | Prayer of Transforming Union

                                                         __________

                                                    8. | Prayer of Ecstatic Union

                                                    __________

                                               7. | Prayer of Simple Union

                                               __________

                                          6. | Prayer of Quiet

                                          __________

                                     5. | Infused Recollection

                                     __________

                                4. | Acquired Recollection

                               __________

                          3. | Affective Mental Prayer

                        __________

                   2. | Discursive Meditation

                   __________

              1. |  Vocal Prayer

• Vocal Prayer, with attention to what one is saying or reading and God, whom one is addressing.

• Discursive Meditation: consideration of a spiritual truth; application to oneself, and resolve to do something about it.

• Affective Mental Prayer: one turns to "other," namely, God, and prayer becomes "the language of love."

• Acquired Recollection: also called prayer of simplicity, prayer of simple regard, acquired contemplation, the loving awareness of God.

• Infused Recollection: the first degree of infused, mystical contemplation.

• Prayer of Quiet: the will is totally captivated by divine love; sometimes all the faculties are likewise captivated (sleep or ecstasy).

• Prayer of Simple Union: both the intellect and the will are absorbed in God.

• Prayer of Ecstatic Union: this is the "mystical espousal" or "conforming union."

• Prayer of Transforming Union: also called the "mystical marriage" because it is the most intimate union of the soul with God that is possible in this life.

The consideration of these various stages of prayer, should not intimidate one who is striving to develop the practice of prayer. It helps to keep in mind the two-sided dynamics at play in prayer; the devotional side, which reflects the efforts to reach out to God that are being made by the one who prays, and the acetical side, which reflects the grace of God drawing the soul up into ever deeper communion in prayer. The description of these various stages helps one have a better understanding of some of the experiences they may be having in their prayer. The primary concern for the one who prays remains the same, surrender your heart and soul to God, and keep praying - God will do the rest.

The following is an article with more detailed information by Jordan Aumann, O.P.