Chapter 7 - Part 3 - Of the various ways we may consider God as present - Imagination

 From the Dux Spiritualis of the Ven. Louis de Ponte SJ

Section 4 - How we may keep ourselves in the presence of God by the use of our Imagination

Page 115 - The different ways of realising the presence of God of which we have so far spoken are purely spiritual and relate only to God in his Divinity. 

There remains a 4th mode which consists in representing Him under some imaginary form; this [page 116] will chiefly be useful to those who love to contemplate the Sacred Humanity of Our Saviour. 

Page 117 - This kind of presence is most useful in meditation, composing images and figures corresponding to the subjects on which we are meditating. 

First because it greatly helps intellectual considerations; for in this life our mind depends to some extent upon the imagination, and is wont to follow its workings.

Secondly, because it stirs up the affections of the will, exciting in the sensitive powers movements full of tenderness and love.

Thirdly, because such images are a great help to recollection of mind; for the imagination, naturally volatile and inconstant, draws the mind after it. 

For which reason it must be gently held down to the place or mystery which the mind is to [page 118] consider. 

Page 118 - Since there are 3 dangers attached to thus use of the imagination they must be diligently noted.

The 1st danger is of injuring the head, by trying to form too many images at once, or by entering into too many details, or by trying to keep the first ones in mind when they are followed by others which obscure or efface them. 

If, on the other hand, great difficulty is experienced in forming such pictures, it is better to pray without them than to injure the head, and perhaps make us unable to pray at all. 

The 2nd danger is that of illusions: into which those persons may easily fall who have a lively imagination; these are apt to believe the images they have formed to be revelations, and the things which proceed from the vehemence of their imagination to be real and good; in this we should be on our guard against the tricks of the devil. 

The 3rd danger is of becoming so much attached to this mode of the presence of God as to render oneself unfit for another better and more spiritual. 

Page 119 - Although contemplation by means of these figures has much power and efficacy as we have said, much more excellent, says St Thomas [Aquinas] [S. Th. II-II, Q. cixxxi, art. 2], is that which is purely spiritual. 

For figures are never equal to nor to be compared with the thing figured, and it is far more perfect to know a thing in itself than in an imaginary representation. 

For this reason such a mode of realising the presence of God ought to be relinquished for another more perfect whenever God wishes to raise us to it, as we shall explain more fully later.