Is seeking contemplative prayer wrong?

[imagine7777]

Should we just be satisfied otherwise? Or is it okay to want that and try to predispose yourself to receive that gift?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

There is nothing wrong with a desire for contemplative prayer. The only problem is the temptation to learn “techniques” through which contemplative prayer is pursued. The so-called “centering prayer” technique is one such “technique” that is supposed to “open” its practitioners to contemplative prayer. But since contemplative prayer is a gift we cannot manipulate God through “technique” into giving it to us. As a general rule of thumb, meditation is a form of prayer possible for any Christian; contemplative prayer (as distinct from a more colloquial understanding of *contemplation *that is synonymous with meditation; cf. CCC 1162, 2715) is a foretaste of the beatific vision and is thus a special gift and grace from God:

Because of his transcendence, God cannot be seen as he is, unless he himself opens up his mystery to man’s immediate contemplation and gives him the capacity for it. The Church calls this contemplation of God in his heavenly glory “the beatific vision”:

“How great will your glory and happiness be, to be allowed to see God, to be honored with sharing the joy of salvation and eternal light with Christ your Lord and God … to delight in the joy of immortality in the Kingdom of heaven with the righteous and God’s friends” (CCC 1028).

Recommended reading:

Can Catholics engage in centering prayer?
The Danger of Centering Prayer by Fr. John D. Dreher