Contemplation in our daily lives

[CRM_Brother]

I am part of one of the few Orders which are classified as Semi-Contemplative or Mixed. We reserve time in contemplation each day in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament in addition to other practices which are generally attributed to contemplative orders. In Novitiate, however, I became fascinated with the concept of attempting to extend the act of contemplation outside of set periods which are traditionally typical of contemplative prayer and into our daily lives in the world.

I wanted to open this thread to learn more about how individuals live out contemplative prayer outside of religious communities. Do you have set times for contemplation? How does it affect your daily lives? Do you believe that activity and contemplation are mutually exclusive? Do you have a model which you have created for yourself in which you can live out a life of contemplation in the world rather than simply divide your time between action and contemplation?

God Bless,
Br. Ben, CRM

 

[Sipetradayni]

It reminds me of the latin phrase coined by St. Thomas Aquinas: Contemplare et contemplata alliis tradere translated as -
to contemplate and to give others the fruits of contemplation.

I think they are complementary. It also remind me of 1 Cor. 10:31. I also quote Mother Teresa of Kolkata: Work didn’t have to stop prayer and prayer didn’t have to stop work.

 

[po18guy]

Contemplative prayer may be entered into anywhere, anytime. Does silence before our Lord greatly facilitate it? Naturally, but during the course of Rosaries and Divine Mercy Chaplets throughout the day, I find that despite what DW says, I actually can multi-task.

In particular, the Chaplets draw you closer to the Passion of our Lord. Saint Paul of the Cross had much to say about this. While driving, riding public transit, shopping, cleaning the kitchen… you name it.

Even if distractions cause you to constantly need to re-focus on your contemplation, it is time well spent, as you are moving toward the Lord.

 

[christofirst]

I do have set times for silent prayer. I arrive at church about 20 minutes before 6:30 am Mass during the week, and I devote some of that time to silent prayer. Then in the early afternoon, I do some spiritual reading and then pray silently again. Distractions and all sorts of thoughts and impulses are a constant challenge for me during these times, but I mostly keep trying. At least I always make a good start .

 

[fide]

It is unfortunate, I think, that the same word “contemplation” can mean two very different realities. And depending on which meaning one has in his mind, one’s entire spiritual journey is being set in one direction or another. So I’m sorry to need to ask this, but which do you mean here:

1. acquired contemplation, or
2. infused contemplation.

Or if those two don’t make sense, could you maybe define “contemplation” as you and your order use the word? Thanks.

 

[Dan_Defender]

I do not believe they are mutually exclusive. To me it all depends when I have free time to stop and pray. I also find it is a process and I get better at contemplative prayer the more I do it.

 

[Shakuhachi]

Life can get so busy, so many demands. I try to be mindful in the midst of it all. I often just close my eyes anywhere, anytime and spend a few seconds at the inner temple. That is the way I think of it. Deep inside my heart is a sacred place, a holy temple where God waits for an intimate moment of my attention. All I need to do is bring my awareness to the place of presence. Then, the other moments of longer contemplation are rekindled, recalled and become part of my busy life. Especially in stressful, anxious moments it is extremely helpful to go to that inner temple if only for a few seconds.