Contemplative Prayer

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What is contemplative prayer? How would a laity go about practicing contemplative prayer (for someone who hasn’t tried it before to the best of their knowledge)?
 
Contemplative prayer is … when you see Jesus, and he sees you.

Without discursive action, involving the thoughts. It is free from thoughts. Only you and Jesus, and you understand each other’s love.

It is a pre feeling of the life of heaven.

You can do so… actually, when God himself brings you to contemplation.

The rosary, when recited well, is actually a mental and vocal prayer.
But that can lead to contemplation as well, when recited regularly with love

The gift of speaking in tongues is actually the shortest way to achieve contemplation, but you must be careful because there are many false speaking in tongues…

You can also, in front of the blessed sacrament, you see him, with love and faith, and he sees you. It is a prayer in itself.

Jesus prayer, which consist of speaking the name of Jesus according to the rhythm of your breathing Jeee, suuuus. Jeeee…suuus…

It will little by little lead you to contemplation, since it omits all discursive actions involving the thoughts. Your mind is freed from all thoughts and imaginations, save the presence of Jesus

It can also be said, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner, according to the rhythm of your breathing, for like 20 minutes. It will bring you deep profound peace.

You can read:
The Cloud of Unknowing:
basilica.org/pages/ebooks/Anonynous-The%20Cloud%20of%20Unknowing.pdf

Or The way of the pilgrim,
books.google.com/books?id=dSx3JVmNoFoC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+way+of+the+pilgrim&hl=en&ei=Xh7ZTYmwKNHxrQfGv53qBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false

To understand about Jesus prayer that leads to contemplation.

The name of Jesus is powerful.

That is, realizing the presence of God, without any discursive thoughts. But real presence, the indwelling of the holy trinity in our hearts.

Sometimes, songs such as gregorian chants can also lead you to contemplation. To contemplate Jesus for all eternity, is why we are created. We are created to love and to be loved by Jesus. For all eternity. And our minds are created for just that.

You can read St. Albert the great’s book, on cleaving to God, to learn about how the mind is created to contemplate God… and must be freed from all hindrance (such as excessive studies, gossips, curiosity, vain imaginations, etc)
basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20Albert%20the%20Great-On%20Cleaving%20to%20God.pdf

Contemplative prayer is also… union with the beloved, Jesus himself

You can listen to carmelite podcasts here, the carmelite saints will lead you on the way of contemplation:
meditationsfromcarmel.com/mp3.html

May the merciful Jesus bless you
 
You might want to check out the Catechism of the Catholic Church on Contemplative prayer. Paragraphs 2709-2719

Any prayer practices can lead into contemplative prayer.

One of the best ways that I have been shown this is to think of someone I love. Do I love them in my mind or heart? And out of that place where I love them, I repeat my short prayer [can be any phrase] over and over. At times the repetition is done without my being aware of it. Sometimes there is quiet. Sometimes this state lasts for about 5 minutes to maybe an hour for me [though an hour is rare].

There is a book called The Way of a pilgrim and the pilgrim continues his way translated by Helen Bacovcin. I love that book it talks of someone who journeys in their learning contemplative prayer.
 
There are various (orthodox) schools of thought in the Catholic Church on contemplation…various traditions and approaches. You will find the section on the Catechism takes from various traditions in the Church.

(an example here is that of St. Therea of the Carmelites …domcentral.org/study/aumann/teresasgr.htm)

There are various further distinctions one can make such as infused contemplation (given to us by God…not something we can acquire but only prepare for) or acquired contemplation ( that which one can arrive at by ones cooperation with grace)

(also it is important to note that in reading the various authors…schools of thought and Saints…that terms are sometimes used very differently from one to another…)

“Time for God” is a good little book for you to start with… scepterpublishers.org/product/index.php?FULL=557 and frjacquesphilippe.com/ Highly recommended. You can read excerpts there…

There are various things certainly to avoid…(like one does not seek to make ones mind a blank …etc)

Here is an important document from the Church on errors to avoid:
ewtn.com/library/curia/cdfmed.htm
 
Contemplative Prayer is a prayer of the heart, a silent gaze between the Lover (Jesus) and His Beloved (us). It is a quieting of the soul, so that one can hear God speak directly to the soul.

My absolute favorite book on the subject is, “The Third spiritual Alphabet” by Francisco de Osuna. Teresa of Avila highly recommends this as a primer on contemplative prayer. This was what led her on the pathway. In this book, de Osuna lays out the steps one must take in their spiritual life to practice contemplation. It is a beautiful book chock full of spiritual insight. It is written in such a way that you are drawn into the depth of prayer, it is a hard book to put down once you start. I highly recommend this book for introducing one to contemplation.

Many saints wrote on contemplation, so if you feel drawn to this, you have a wealth of sources from which to draw, Sts. Bonaventure, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and more.

For the serious advanced person, a theological primer by Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange OP, “The Three Ages of the Interior Life”. This is steeped in heavy theology, so it is something to consider once you have read the above.

Ohhhh… I recommend a spiritual director if you embark on this path. Spiritual direction is indispensable in helping one to discern and ascertain where they are on this path.
 
Wow! A lot to start reading… will post any questions at a later date! 😃

Thank you everyone!
 
I second the recommendation to the Audio sancto lectures. I just finished reading this book, available at Tan Books:

Conversation With Christ - The Teachings of St. Teresa of Avila about Personal Prayer
***By: *Peter Thomas Rorhbach

It takes the steps involved in mental prayer as taught by St. Theresa of Avila, and breaks them down into simple and easy-to-digest lessons. It also talks about the difference between mental prayer and contemplation, and what steps it takes to get from the practice of mental prayer to a contemplative lifestyle. I was able to read the book in about a week or so, and can’t wait to apply what I’ve been learning into mental prayer.
 
I really love the book “Fire Within” by Father Francis Dubay. It’s speaks of the lives of St. Therese of Avilla and St. John of the Cross and their teachings on contemplative prayer. I’m eager to get the book recommended above too.
 
Try to read the works of the saints only, because not only they teach how to achieve contemplation, but they already experiences it first hand

Download the book of the carmelite saints, such as St. Theresia of Lisieux, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. John of the cross.

Here are the links:

St Therese of Lisieux - Story of a soul
catholicplanet.com/ebooks/ThereseAutobiography.pdf

Spiritual Canticle - St John of the Cross
saintsworks.net/books/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross%20-%20A%20Spiritual%20Canticle%20of%20the%20Soul.pdf

Ascent of Mt. Carmel - St John of the Cross
saintsworks.net/books/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross%20-%20Ascent%20of%20Mount%20Carmel.pdf

Living Flame of love - St. John of The Cross
basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross-The%20Living%20Flame%20of%20Love.pdf

Dark Night of the Soul - St. John of the cross
basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20John%20of%20the%20Cross-Dark%20night%20of%20the%20soul.pdf

Life - St. Teresa of Avila
basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20Teresa%20of%20Avila-The%20Life%20of%20Saint%20Teresa%20of%20Avila.pdf

Way of perfection - St. Teresa of Avila
basilica.org/pages/ebooks/St.%20Theresa%20of%20Avila-The%20Way%20of%20Perfection.pdf

If all else fails, St Faustina’s Diary (Divine Mercy) is very easy to understand, she is very simple and humble,

St Faustina Kowalska Diary- Divine Mercy in my soul
saintsworks.net/books/St.%20Faustina%20Kowalska%20-%20Diary.pdf

These books will taken you lifetime to contemplate, it contains the divine mystery of God. These saints are very close to God, and very dear to his heart and have already achieved contemplation mostly in a young age, if St. teresa of avila, and St. John of the cross died at the age of 60 and 59.

St Therese of Lisieux died at age 24, St. Faustina died at age 33

And they now contemplate God for eternity in heaven, which they all had a foretaste before, as in contemplative prayer on earth.

St Therese of Lisieux’s book is also easy to understand
 
I am no expert at all on contemplative prayer and I’m not any good at it either, but…

I definitely recommend St Teresa of Avila’s “Interior Castle”. It also gives many warnings on what not to do, as to not fall into delusion. Because in this, it’s very easy to fall into delusion. It seems to happen often when people get focused on the experiences rather than seeking to love God, avoid sin, live a holy life, and being humble.

Adoration and the Rosary are probably good ways to start 🙂
 
An important note here is that contemplation is not something that we can “do” or “be good at.” Contemplation is a gift from God. We can prepare our hearts for it, but we cannot conjure it up via any method or effort.
 
Lifeisawesome said:
An important note here is that contemplation is not something that we can “do” or “be good at.” Contemplation is a gift from God. We can prepare our hearts for it, but we cannot conjure it up via any method or effort.
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Infused contemplation. Correct.

Though there is also acquired contemplation…(which is …well acquired …in the spiritual life prior to infused…)
 
Bookcat said:
Infused contemplation. Correct.

Though there is also acquired contemplation…(which is …well acquired …in the spiritual life prior to infused…)
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There isn’t universal agreement on this amongst mystical/ascetical theologians. I think it is a distinction that isn’t helpful without quite a bit of context… The reason I make the distinction is because of syncretistic tendencies that define contemplation as something that we can do. Even “acquired” contemplation is not something that can occur based on human will and emotions alone. Waddayouthink bookcatperson?
 
rebecca123 said:
I really love the book “Fire Within” by Father Francis Dubay. It’s speaks of the lives of St. Therese of Avilla and St. John of the Cross and their teachings on contemplative prayer. I’m eager to get the book recommended above too.
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This is a great introduction for the neophyte, in that it introduces the reader to the various teachers on the subject.
Lifeisawesome said:
An important note here is that contemplation is not something that we can “do” or “be good at.” Contemplation is a gift from God. We can prepare our hearts for it, but we cannot conjure it up via any method or effort.
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This is why one needs to look to the theologians and Church Doctors who have written extensively on the subject. Infused Contemplation is a gift of the Spirit, we can only practice mental prayer in preparation for it, but we cannot make it happen. It is a passive prayer, while most prayer is active. One can actively acquire a contemplative state with the help of grace, which disposes the soul to be receptive of the infused type of contemplation. So, you are correct, in that the acquired type of contemplation requires cooperation with grace that comes from God, while the infused type requires that one be prepared and receptive to the actions of the Holy Spirit. What we can do, is to engage in mental prayer, and focus on developing our interior life; by cooperating with God’s grace. We are then open and disposed to acquired, then infused contemplation.
 
ClayPots47 said:
This is a great introduction for the neophyte, in that it introduces the reader to the various teachers on the subject.

This is why one needs to look to the theologians and Church Doctors who have written extensively on the subject. Infused Contemplation is a gift of the Spirit, we can only practice mental prayer in preparation for it, but we cannot make it happen. It is a passive prayer, while most prayer is active. One can actively acquire a contemplative state with the help of grace, which disposes the soul to be receptive of the infused type of contemplation. So, you are correct, in that the acquired type of contemplation requires cooperation with grace that comes from God, while the infused type requires that one be prepared and receptive to the actions of the Holy Spirit. What we can do, is to engage in mental prayer, and focus on developing our interior life; by cooperating with God’s grace. We are then open and disposed to acquired, then infused contemplation.
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Well said on all counts
 
Lifeisawesome said:
There isn’t universal agreement on this amongst mystical/ascetical theologians. I think it is a distinction that isn’t helpful without quite a bit of context… The reason I make the distinction is because of syncretistic tendencies that define contemplation as something that we can do. Even “acquired” contemplation is not something that can occur based on human will and emotions alone. Waddayouthink bookcatperson?
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Yes I am well aware of what you note in your first sentence there…

There was indeed a back and forth discussion of this in the early to perhaps mid 20th century.

But I think it is pretty well settled …

Even the Catechism I would say presumes both forms of contemplation …

and Bl. Pope John Paul II in his encylic. on the Rosary is presupposing I would say (as I recall from years ago reading it) acquired contemplation…

As for the last sentence…yes it is important for to recall the words of Jesus…“apart from me you can do nothing”…yes of course grace is involved in Christian Acquired Contemplation.
 
Bookcat said:
Yes I am well aware of what you note in your first sentence there…

There was indeed a back and forth discussion of this in the early to perhaps mid 20th century.

But I think it is pretty well settled …

Even the Catechism I would say presumes both forms of contemplation …

and Bl. Pope John Paul II in his encylic. on the Rosary is presupposing I would say (as I recall from years ago reading it) acquired contemplation…

As for the last sentence…yes it is important for to recall the words of Jesus…“apart from me you can do nothing”…yes of course grace is involved in Christian Acquired Contemplation.
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I wish it were more settled that you perceive it is. Regardless, I respect your opinion. Are you a priest or religious? Where did you receive your formation on these matters?
 
Bookcat said:
Infused contemplation. Correct.

Though there is also acquired contemplation…(which is …well acquired …in the spiritual life prior to infused…)
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Bookcat is correct, imo.

The word “contemplation” means different things to the individual using it. For example, the contemplation of Osuna’s Third Spiritual Alphabet, The Cloud of Unknowing or Brother Lawrence’s Practice of the Presence of God is quite different from the contemplation we typically associate with Sts Teresa and John . . . though they are perfectly compatible and go hand in hand.

The former is largely ascetic (mortification of extraneous thought) . . . the fruit of the diligent practice of recollection. Hence the term “acquired contemplation.” The latter is mystical . . . a pure gift that is beyond ours to obtain. Thus the term “infused contemplation”. Context is everything in these discussions.

And, yes, the acquired generally preceeds the infused . . . it is what “pre-disposes” us for the gifts God may give if He so wills it.

Dave 🙂

PS. Mystical writers like John and Teresa tended to use a very narrow and specific meaning for contemplation . . . their focus was largely on the infused. If one if familiar with their teaching, though, all they say presupposes a foundation in what is now called acquired . . . Osuna was perhaps the greatest influence on Teresa, for example.

So the term contemplation can have a much broader meaning than we sometimes think. This broader viewpoint, as Bookcat mentioned, is how contemplation is described in the Catechism.
 
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