Q. Further into our investigations into prayer,somehow prayer seems to be in that place of first making sure we are able to 'be in the temple' so that God can work in us. And then offer that to whatever we meet. Prayer then seems much more inherently relational than I had ever considered . And your writings brought that up for me as well. A. I think relationship is the essence of prayer--the attempt to be in relation to Somewhat. The nature of the ‘somewhat’ is the problem.

Q. I very much appreciate your observations and frankness. If I'm understanding correctly you’re making a big distinction between self-improvement and spiritual experience. This is something I find myself doing often; that is hoping spiritual experience will somehow improve parts of myself that I wish to change or improve (more patience, better listening, more compassion, clearer perception....). This of course leads to self-rumination which in turn leads nowhere. Neverthele