Praying the Jesus Prayer as a Non-Christian: A Journey into Stillness and Mercy
- Nicholas Fournie
- Mar 7
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 13
"Why do you seek among the East what is hidden in your own backyard?"
I once dismissed Christianity as a dead tradition, more concerned with doctrine than direct experience. Yet, after years of searching in distant temples and monasteries, I found myself drawn to an ancient Christian practice that felt eerily familiar—one that echoed the breathwork of yoga, the mantras of Hinduism, and the silent surrender of Zen. This was the Jesus Prayer.
How I Found the Jesus Prayer
Hinduism and Buddhism largely shaped the spiritual journey of my youth—Christianity was completely off the table. Yet, after bouncing between temples that never quite felt like home, I sought a spirituality connected to my ancestry. One where I didn’t face the imposter syndrome of learning new languages and trying to fit into the mores of another culture. Having grown up studying Eastern spirituality, I naturally gravitated toward practice-based traditions—those that do not merely offer theological concepts but provide transformative psycho-spiritual methods. This led me to ask: where in the Christian tradition could such practices be found?
I must confess that my initial foray into Western Christianity yielded little fruit (though this has since changed, a story I'll share in due course). Naturally, I found myself drawn once more to the East, where I soon encountered the Jesus Prayer—a simple yet profound invocation: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. This prayer, central to Hesychasm—a mystical tradition within Eastern Orthodoxy—immediately struck a chord with my experience in mantra practice and breath meditation from yoga. I began to contemplate whether the Jesus Prayer might serve as a bridge, connecting my existing spiritual path to a deeper understanding of the Christian tradition.
The Mystical Practice of Hesychasm
Hesychasts are Eastern Orthodox mystics who practice the Jesus Prayer using a sophisticated system of breath and body techniques to deepen their prayer and achieve inner stillness (hesychia). Some of the most striking elements of their practice include:
Synchronizing Breath with Prayer: The Jesus Prayer is often repeated in rhythm with the inhale and exhale, much like yogic pranayama. Inhalation is sometimes associated with Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, and exhalation with have mercy on me, a sinner, helping to internalize the prayer.
Posture and Physical Stillness: Some Hesychasts adopt a specific posture, sitting with the head bowed toward the chest, focusing inward, and even gazing toward the heart. This physical discipline supports inner concentration, similar to the use of asanas in yoga to stabilize meditation.
Inner Heat and Light Perception: Advanced Hesychasts report experiences of divine light, which they identify with the "uncreated light" of God. Some descriptions of this experience parallel yogic tapas (inner heat) and Tibetan Buddhist practices of tummo (inner fire), which generate warmth and luminosity through meditation.
These practices were highly controversial within Christianity at times but were ultimately defended by figures like St. Gregory Palamas, who argued that the body plays a vital role in spiritual transformation—a perspective that aligns closely with many Eastern traditions.
"With this prayer, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, you will benefit in every way. With this prayer man is purified, enlightened, sanctified. The prayer is the lifeline of the soul and of the body. You will become ethereal and you will fly with the prayer. " - Saint Amphilochios (Makris)
The Jesus Prayer as a Contemplative Practice
At its core, the Jesus Prayer is a method of interior stillness and attentiveness, much like japa in Hinduism or the mindfulness practices found in Zen Buddhism. The prayer is traditionally repeated in rhythm with the breath, guiding the practitioner into a state of inner silence. This alignment between breath and prayer mirrors pranayama techniques in yoga, which seek to regulate the mind through breath control. I found that the Jesus Prayer, when practiced with steady repetition, had a centring effect similar to chanting Om Mani Padme Hum or engaging in Anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing).
While the Jesus Prayer may resemble a mantra in its repetition, Orthodox tradition insists it is fundamentally different. A mantra is often used for vibrational effect or meditative focus, but the Jesus Prayer is a direct invocation of Christ, engaging not just the mind but the whole person in a relational act of prayer. It is not about technique but about grace—its power does not come from repetition itself but from divine presence. Unlike a mantra, which may function as a tool for non-dual awareness, the Jesus Prayer is ultimately about communion rather than dissolution of self; its goal is theosis, union with God, rather than mere stillness or emptiness. While breath and posture may be used, they are not the essence of the practice but aid in opening the heart in humility. Orthodox mystics emphasize that the Jesus Prayer is not a method of self-realization but a surrender to divine mercy—an ongoing, transformative encounter rather than a mechanical exercise in concentration.
What drew me to the Jesus Prayer was its function rather than its theological assertions. It is often misunderstood as merely a petition for divine mercy, but Orthodox mystics describe it as a method of ‘descending the mind into the heart’—a process deeply reminiscent of yogic concepts like pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and dhyana (meditative absorption). Practiced consistently, the Jesus Prayer cultivates inner quietude and awareness, aligning the practitioner with the stillness beneath thought.
A Universal Invocation of Mercy
The phrase have mercy on me, a sinner might seem to alienate those outside Christian traditions, but I began to understand it less as a doctrinal admission of guilt and more as an expression of humility and openness to transformation. The invocation of mercy—eleos in Greek—carries the connotation of healing and restoration rather than mere absolution of wrongdoing. It also translates as "to have compassion" and corresponds with the Hebrew chesed which means "lovingkindness". In this way, it echoes the Buddhist practice of metta (lovingkindness), in which one extends compassion toward oneself and others.
Similarly, the name of Jesus, regardless of one's personal beliefs about Christian theology, carries a vibrational power akin to sacred syllables used in Eastern traditions. In Orthodox thought, the name itself is considered an embodiment of divine presence, much like the way Aum is said to contain the essence of the universe in Hinduism. Thus, for me, praying the Jesus Prayer does not necessitate subscribing to a particular doctrinal framework but allows for a direct encounter with a spiritual reality beyond conceptual distinctions.
I've come to find this plea for mercy liberating, allowing me to surrender more fully and trust in divine kindness. The term "sinner" no longer evokes guilt or shame but acknowledges that I have yet to become the highest version of myself, inspiring daily efforts to improve. As I delve deeper into this practice, the specific words matter less; their repetition draws me into stillness and presence. While I'm not particularly attached to the name of Jesus, I occasionally experiment with variations using a prayer rope:
Yet I find myself consistently drawn back to the sweetness of Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me (often omitting a sinner as I am weary to repetitively affirm myself in such a way). I can't fully explain this preference, but as my spirituality matures, I've come to appreciate that not knowing is often the most enlightening state of being.
Integrating the Jesus Prayer into a Non-Christian Spiritual Path
Rather than viewing the Jesus Prayer as an exclusive Christian practice, I see it as part of the broader contemplative landscape. We are quick to use Sanskrit prayers and theistic language as they don’t carry the baggage of being close to home. My challenge is to show people that while the Christian faith (like all faiths) has its shortcomings, it doesn’t lack the depth that many of us are craving. My approach to spirituality has always been one of synthesis—drawing from multiple traditions while remaining faithful to the integrity of each practice. The Jesus Prayer has found its place within my daily meditations, complementing yogic and Buddhist methods rather than replacing them.
One of the most striking aspects of the Jesus Prayer is its ability to lead the practitioner beyond conceptual thinking. While it involves words, it ultimately functions as a tool for silence. The repetition of the prayer dissolves discursive thought, allowing for a state of pure awareness that resembles the goal of Zen’s shikantaza or Advaita Vedanta’s inquiry into the nature of self.
Why I Continue to Pray the Jesus Prayer
Ultimately, I pray the Jesus Prayer because it works. It anchors me in the present, quiets my mind, and opens my heart. It serves as a point of connection between my Western heritage and the Eastern practices that have shaped my spiritual life. Rather than forcing me to choose between traditions, it acts as a unifying thread, weaving together different strands of contemplative wisdom.
For those on a non-Christian spiritual path who are drawn to prayer and meditation, the Jesus Prayer offers a profound yet accessible practice. It does not demand conversion or theological assent—only the willingness to sit in stillness and listen. In that silence, beyond words and beyond self, is where the true power of the prayer is found.
Live like dust lit by fire,
Nicho
If you're interested in experiencing this practice for yourself, I’ve created two resources to guide you. Traditionally, the Jesus Prayer is prayed using a prayer rope of varying lengths. The recordings below contain either 50 or 100 repetitions, allowing you to choose based on your time and focus. Give them a try, and let me know about your experience in the comments!
Resource Suggestions
On the Prayer of Jesus: The Classic Guide to the Practice of Unceasing Prayer Found in The Way of a Pilgrim - June 20, 2006 by Ignatius Brianchaninov (Author), Kallistos Ware (Foreword)
The Way of a Pilgrim: And the Pilgrim Continues His Way – June 17 1985 by Walter J. Ciszek S.J. (Foreword), Helen Bacovcin (Translator)
Turning to the Mystics: 5 Session Series Exploring The Way of the Pilgrim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UB_INzuYtg
Comments