What is contemplation?

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What is contemplation? Christanon 09/12/18 (Wed) 11:01:14 6022a5 No.700344

What is contemplation? I found only vague explanations. Silent prayer, meditation. Is this something like seeing God, or thinking about spiritual things? Is this Orthodox and Catholic-only stuff? I'm Pentecostal.

Christanon 09/12/18 (Wed) 11:05:50 9372fb No.700345

This might help: https://mega.nz/#!yJBSUQBJ!3-2oE7H4KkVCa7HBhcav2u_jEihooDTqkoDsjP24s8M

Christanon 09/12/18 (Wed) 11:24:37 6022a5 No.700348

>>700345

Thank you, I guess I'll read it, it's only 32 pages, but quick search on world "contemplation" shows that it doesn't really explain what contemplation is.

Christanon 09/12/18 (Wed) 14:18:53 db66f4 No.700400

>>700344

Catholics have many stages of prayer in the mystical life, from vocal prayer all the way to transforming union where a person has stopped sinning and has the closest thing to the beatific vision in this life. But in actuality, all these levels can be broken down into two stages: Active, and passive. Active is when you do it, like you sit down to meditate on a scene from the Gospel, or pray the Rosary. Passive is when God does it for you, and infuses that scene from the Gospel into your mind, and you think of nothing else but that. Contemplation can be thought of as the passive (God-given) side of meditation. It happens sometimes, it's a grace and can not be gotten on your own.

Christanon 09/12/18 (Wed) 15:17:53 912365 No.700406

>>700344

>Is this something like seeing God

That's a controversial topic. Eastern Orthodox theology states that we can through the energies of God. Catholicism is more vague regarding this, but most seem to deny the distinction of essence and energies and so we cannot see God in this life.

>or thinking about spiritual things?

I think contemplation definitely encompasses this aspect.

>Is this Orthodox and Catholic-only stuff?

I don't think so, last time I checked John Wesley was a very spiritual man, and George Foxx definitely practised contemplation. I don't see why it is exclusive to Catholicism and Orthodoxy, could you elaborate a bit more on what you mean by that?

>What is contemplation?

I would say it is simply "pray[er] without ceasing" (1st Thessalonians 5:17)

Christanon 09/12/18 (Wed) 20:03:11 ce8c78 No.700470

>>700344

As I understand, meditation needs effort and contemplation does not. You arrive at contemplation by meditating. Meditation is you working your mind on understanding some aspect of God, while contemplation is you sitting back and appreciating that aspect because you already know about it.