Fred, that was a very good answer Sirach gave.
Here’s some additional thoughts from Brother Lawrence who spoke of these matters at some length … and hopefully provide an additional level of confirmation to what you ask.
Brother Lawrence recommended acquired contemplation in the manner discussed on this thread for all good hearted souls who have begun the process of conforming themselves to Christ. For those, he considers the Practice of the Presence of God to be the shortest, truest path to holiness.
In the beginning, though, it can be tough work … drudgery even. He even uses the word “repugnant” for what we might feel sometimes. Why? Well we come to see when we embark on this path that we have many conflicting loves in our heart and we haven’t progressed far enough yet to sort all that out. Much purification is required – both active and passive. So we are faced with some initial difficulties that test the true direction of our desire … as well as our faithfulness in the face of trial … to the type of relationship we “think” we seek. That, imo, is what is tested in the beginning.
First, in our fallen nature, we are simply prone to forgetfulness. So much of acquired contemplation is devoted to the act of re-remembering Him. And this can perhaps be a lifelong effort … for as the Psalmist says “even the just man will fall seven times a day.” Second, there are things about this that have to be learned through practice, perseverance and, of course, grace. Namely, interior multi-tasking: how to be occupied with one’s cares and concerns yet mindful of Christ at the same time. In the beginning, perhaps, it is approached from more of an either or basis. And lastly, as you hint in your post, maybe there are times such souls might “choose” to forget Christ … when we occupy ourselves with things we’d rather not have Him see (as if that’s possible). So the work-of-the-work in all this is the sorting out of our interior priorities … what St. John of the Cross speaks of in the active nights where we learn exterior and interior methods of self-denial in order to remain more fully in His presence.
Contrast that now with the more perfected soul … perhaps someone of St. Teresa’s 7th mansion. Many things can be said of this type of union but I will only focus on one part of it: the nature of prayer. What we know from her is this: that ecstatic states and extraordinary phenomena like visions cease (if they were ever given in the first place). And while I’m not sure she says, I see no reason why ordinary infused contemplation (quiet and union) would not remain. But the heart of it all, imo, remains the whole realm of acquired contemplation. For this very definitely remains … but takes on a different characteristic.
No longer is it work. Rather it becomes effortless and second nature … almost like breathing (Brother Lawrence) … and habitual (St. Teresa). We are in-tune … in rhythm … in-sync with the working of the Holy Spirit in the depth of our souls. Perhaps it could be said the acquired contemplation of these individual’s is something like the butterfly gently bobbing up and down on the hidden waves of the breeze; whereas before it might have been more like the swimmer valiantly treading water with a millstone tied around his waist.
And what lies in between the point A and Point B of these comments? Well that’s the work of much of our interior life … the active and passive interplay and cooperation where our acquired contemplation becomes less a matter of “do-ing” as “be-ing.”
Dave
