The Phenomenology of Prayer 1

December 1, 2015

While reading the Phenomenology of Prayer I came across the thesis, "Prayer is deep, Quite possibly the deepest decentering of the self, deep enough to begin dismantling or, if you like, deconstructing that burning preoccupation with myself"(Benson, Wirzba 15). A defining moment in the book and quite possibly one of the most significant moments. The author describes prayer as possibly the deepest decentering of self which makes it beyond all other ways of reaching a point of of separation from ones inner self and surroundings. This practice that is used by many today, is one of the most important ways to reach God. This bridge between two worlds is created from a state of decentering, yet most don't truly experience real decentering. This state is only achieved by those who accurately separate their mind from their body. It is at this point that one will experience "Quite possibly the deepest decentering of the self".