Mysticism-Meditative or Contemplative Prayer?

[firemadeflesh]

I just got back from a Confirmation class in which we discussed types of prayer, and ways to pray. When we got to the Meditation part, I immediately thought of the Mystics, in their meditative states, would get visions or have miraculous things happen to them. But I had one of the wonderful “to be confirmed” students tell me after that she learned that Mysticism is related to Contemplation, not necessarily Meditation, but noticed a lot of overlap in everything. I continued to discuss, and think out loud, and I know that most Mystics were Contemplatives (at least think I knew) but not all Contemplatives were Mystics (I feel so confused now), but I am asking for some more assistance. The Saints that I would like to relate to are St. Teresa of the Child Jesus (de Avila) and St Thomas Aquinas. Any help on clearing up where Mysticism goes in the different ways of prayer would be greatly appreciated.

In short, is Mysticism a derivation from Meditative or Contemplative prayer, or both? and how can this be applied to some of the famous mystics in the Church?

thanks for any help

 

[dusza]

Meditative prayer - speaking to or thinking of God (active)
Contemplative prayer - listening to or receiving from God (passive)

One thing that needs to be made clear is that contemplative prayer , which is a higher form of prayer than meditation, is a gift from God. A person can certainly strive to be holy and thus predispose themselves to receiving that gift, but there’s never a guarantee of receiving it. Mystics are those who live and breathe God. Their lives revolve around being in closer communion with the Lord. Since contemplative prayer is a gift, there’s no implication that all mystics are necessarily contemplatives though there’s that strong likelyhood. I think that associating mystics with visions and other such supernatural gifts is a mistake.

You seem to have confused two saints, St. Teresa of Jesus (of Avila) and St. Therese of Child Jesus (the Little Flower). Both great mystics and doctors of the Church, but only the former was a visionary.

 

[corsair]

Try Eucharistic Adoration for a couple of hours. I usually spend the first hour in silent verbal prayer and the second hour in contemplative prayer.

All I can say is that it is SOOOOOO beautiful. I come away completely relaxed and feeling “cleansed”.

Try it.

 

[yinekka]

I second what dusza said: contemplation is a higher form of meditation. It is a gift from God which can’t be given just because we wish it. Contemplation is a wordless knowing of God, it is not designed to leave us "completely relaxed and feeling “cleansed” which sounds more like the New Age idea of contemplation. Ralph Martin’s book The *Fulfilment of all Desire *is a very readable book on the development of the spiritual life leading to, if God so wishes, contemplation. Mr Martin discusses excerpts from Doctors of the Church e.g. St Therese of Jesus, St Teresa of Avila, St John of the Cross, St Francis de Sales etc and shows us how to advance in holiness and complete submission to the Will of God.

 

[Benadam]

meditative prayer is when we lift up our hearts to God. Contemplative prayer is when God reaches down and lifts us up to Himself.