“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.