"If we really want to achieve true prayer, we must turn our backs upon everything temporal, everything external, everything that is not divine"

Johannes Tauler, a significant German mystic and theologian of the 14th century, presents in this quote an invitation to seek a profound and authentic experience of prayer. His words highlight a transformative journey that calls for a turning away from the distractions and issues that occupy our daily lives. By asking individuals to "turn our backs upon whatever temporal", Tauler suggests that the ephemeral nature of worldly pursuits frequently interferes with spiritual practices. The "temporal" embodies all that is short lived and short-term, including product ownerships, social status, and even specific aspects of individual ambition.

Additionally, Tauler's reference of "whatever external" relates to the concept that external influences and societal pressures can pull people away from their spiritual path. These impacts might include peer expectations, social norms, or the unrelenting speed of modern-day life, all of which can result in a focus on external validation rather than internal development. By promoting for a dismissal of these external diversions, Tauler motivates introspection and a reorientation towards inner spiritual experiences.

The referral to turning away from "whatever that is not divine" encapsulates Tauler's core message. The divine, in this context, represents the supreme reality, pureness, and essence of spiritual connection. Accomplishing "true prayer" includes lining up oneself with this divine state, demanding a withdrawal from the common and mundane. This alignment is not simply about ceremonial prayer but about cultivating a continuous, genuine relationship with the divine.

Tauler's mentors prompt a detachment from the superficial elements of life to reach a deeper, more meaningful interaction with the magnificent presence. Accepting this path towards real prayer may require solitude and self-reflection, enabling the soul to go beyond the temporal and external, consequently accomplishing a state of spiritual knowledge and peace. In essence, Tauler's words challenge people to look for a profound internal change, cultivating a holistic and undeviating connection to the spiritual world.