In Reply to: Gracias posted by Miguel on August 09, 2004 at 14:26:27:
I was afraid you'd answer me in Spanish, and I'd have to explain that I can't do conversational Spanish. I memorized Juan's canticle in Spanish so I'd know how it sounds like music, but I studied it in English so I could write a paper for a literature of spiritual theology class. I think Juan's poem talks about an experience of prayer that is similar to how some people in The Family talk about wanting to pray.
Unlike Berg, Juan's longing for a transforming union with God was gentle and pure. I used to pray like this. I'm glad Juan was my teacher, because I could have been easily deceived by Berg. I get really creeped out and unhinged by Kelly & Zerb's Loving Jesus stuff. It is such a gross perversion of bridal mysticism.
I also learned to sing a contemporary Spanish version of Teresa de Avila's canticle:
Nada te turbe;
nada te espante;
todo se pasa;
Dios no se muda,
la pacïencia
todo lo alcanza.
Quien a Dios tiene,
nada le falta.
Solo Dios basta.
Theresa's canticle comes closer to how I experience prayer now. Much more quiet resting. I am getting older.