Adoration

So, when I go to spend time in adoration of our Lord in the Eucharist, I have been trying to learn to open myself up to just plain listening to Him. I have a hard time at this because my mind wanders or I start to talk to Him rather than just listening.
Anyone have good ways of keeping focused on listening and actually hearing what Christ is saying?

I don't claim to know more than the next guy, but here are a few things I do.

I will sometimes just repeat the name of Jesus. Or "I love you Jesus" while sitting or kneeling.

Other times I speak with Christ.

Other times I will simply look feel his presence. In our parish we have kneelers and chairs placed close to the altar, and I can literally feel the presence of Christ.

I have also brought the Liturgy of the Hours or the Bible to pray through these in His presence.

Khaled wrote:Hi Bill,
It sounds like you are trying to practice what is called mental prayer, or prayer of the heart. If that is the case, I would humbly suggest that you read the book Conversation with Christ by Peter Thomas Rorhbach. It is a very easy to read explanation of St. Teresa of Jesus' method of mental prayer. St. Teresa, a master of prayer, has very concrete suggestions on keeping focused on Christ in prayer.

When I was a novice, in a Religious Order, many many moons ago, we studied this book and it is excellent.

Hmm, mental prayer...never heard that term before, but you might be on to something. I will definitely check out that book and see if it helps me...thanks for the info Khaled...:~]

Dear Bill,
What helps me, is not trying to control my mind. When thoughts come into my consciousness, as they will (it's just what a brain does) I just think to myself: "thinking", and let it go. Then I say to myself, "Jesus", focus on my breathing, and make myself available to whatever He may impress upon me. When thinking enters again: "thinking", and back to, "Jesus"...
To me, it's really important not to have any preconceived ideas of what or how our Lord will represent Himself - - - That's up to the F,S and HS!