Category: Contemplation

There are many different ways that one might practice contemplation. Here, I offer the one that I use.

It’s based on Eastern Orthodox spirituality, from a book called The Way of a Pilgrim. The author is anonymous. The book says:

“When drawing the air in I look in spirit into my heart and soul, ‘Lord Jesus Christ,’ and when breathing out again, I say, ‘Have mercy on me.”

The Basic Method

The key point is that as you breathe in, you say, “Lord Jesus Christ.” Then as you breathe out, you say, “Have mercy on me.” Elder Joseph the Hesychast teaches the same method.

There are two ways to “say” this. One is to whisper it, the other is to use the voice in your head. The inner voice.

This prayer is called the Jesus Prayer. The short form, which I use, is “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” The spiritual tradition that uses this is called Hesychasm. I am merely a student of this great tradition.

Sit Down

I sit in a comfortable position. I lay my right hand on my left hand. I then close my eyes, and pray this prayer. I focus on the sensation of the breath coming in and going out of my nose. Try not to visualize anything.

This helps me calm my mind and let the dirt of distractions settle. Slowly things become clear, calm, and a serenity settles upon me. Then I am “still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him” (Ps. 37:7).

You cannot create the presence of God, the awareness of His presence is a gift of grace. But He is present whether you are aware of Him or not. Don’t seek the consolations, seek God alone.

“We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory” (2 Cor. 3:18 NIV).

To contemplate means to behold, to look, to gaze. The word glory refers to “God’s manifest presence.” Here we see two parts, we contemplate and God manifests.

Acquired Contemplation

According to St. Theresa of Avila, contemplation has two parts. The first is the stilling of the mind in order to be able to be aware of the presence of God. This part is called acquired contemplation. It is something that we do. It is up to us to still the mind.

Imagine that the mind is like a little mud puddle. When the mud puddle is stirred, you cannot see clearly in it. But once the water settles, the water becomes pure, and then you can see in it. The same is true of the mind.

Infused Contemplation

The second part of contemplation is the manifest presence of God. This is called infused contemplation. This part is something that God does. For God to reveal Himself in us is an act of undeserved kindness that we cannot earn or cause. It is a grace given by God.

Contemplation includes both parts. The stilling and the manifesting. Stilling is our job, the manifesting is up to God.

Remember that contemplation, more than anything, is a relationship. Relationships cannot be manipulated, they must be cultivated. And they are cultivated by spending time together.

I think Fr. Stockton hit on a truth. He wrote in an article for the Australia journal Compass Theology Review the following:

“It became clear that there is a natural affinity between certain types of prayer and a certain style of life. There are stages or levels of mysticism where one is alone with God anyway and a person tends to enframe that in a mode of living.”

I think that hits on a deep truth that I have also realized. How.you pray molds how you live. Solitary prayer leads to a solitary life. Nothing could be more normal.

I find that being around people distracts me from the inner stillness, where I can sense the presence of God. It is not a feeling as much as an awareness. Not so much a knowing as a seeing.

Those called and ready to embrace solitude will find that solitude is not so much a discipline as a joy. There is an inner thirst for God, to be in His presence and be aware of His movings. It is a hermit’s greatest honor and their life’s passion.

There has been a lot written on contemplation. But I’m afraid most of it adds more confusion than light.

Here I want to add more light than confusion, and make it simple to understand. In order to do that I might be oversimplifying it. But here we go.

Contemplation is God- consciousness. It is evidenced in stillness, peace, and sometimes ecstasy.

Now just so you know I am not making this up, Thomas Merton wrote, “Contemplation is, above all, awareness of the reality of that Source.” By Source, he means God. And awareness is another word for consciousness.