|
We touch the last reality directly in prayer. And we do this not by thought’s natural research, yet by a quest not less laborious. Prayer is the atmosphere of revelation, in the strict and central sense of that word. It is the climate in which God’s manifestation bursts open into inspiration. All the mediation of Nature and of things sinks here to the rear, and we are left with God in Christ as His own Mediator and His own Revealer. He is directly with us and in us. We transcend there two thousand years as if they were but one day. By His Spirit and His Spirit’s creative miracle God becomes Himself our new nature, which is yet our own, our destined Nature; ...
*P. T. Forsyth (b. 1842, Scottish theologian). The Soul of Prayer.
1About this time the disciples came to Jesus and asked him who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 2Jesus called a child over and had the child stand near him. 3Then he said:
I promise you this. If you don't change and become like a child, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.
*Matthew 18.1-3, CEV
Jesus speaks of the way to enter the kingdom of heaven here-and-now. What is this kingdom?
All outer-material manners of Scripture refer to an inner Experience. The outer-material manners, indeed, arise from the already-and-always-present intuition of these inner-spiritual realities. In the words of Scripture and Church Tradition, spirit makes possible the letter, the letter arises from the spirit.
Contemplation, then, is another of the words referring to this sacred, inner space Jesus called kingdom of heaven. Sadly, the mystical Christ spoke words deeply and spiritually mysterious but logically-dominated persons have pulled them down into a lower, mental consciousness. So, has been done with the marvelous truths of the Inner Life.
Contemplation implies observing something in the temple. The word originally signified a space marked out by augurs, or priests in ancient Rome who interpreted omens, or signs, for making observations. So, the original meaning meant "observe omens carefully" (John Ayto. Dictionary of Word Origins). The word became generalized to any act of intent, focused observation.
In spiritual theology, "contemplation" retains a religious use but has been transferred to refer to the state of quiet being in Prayer, or open-loving awareness of God. The area now marked out is Spirit, beyond matter, body, mind, and soul. The area marked out for loving union with Christ is "spirit" or "Spirit."
What does one experience in contemplation? Christians have defined this state in many but similar ways. Thomas Traherne (b. 1652) was a priest, chaplain, and mystical poet. He wrote regarding contemplation, defining it as, "The pure, virgin awareness of a little child in the state of innocence" (en.wikipedia.org).
Traherne's definition of contemplation reminds us of Jesus' words that we each must become a child to enter the kingdom of heaven. Contemplation is practicing just this childlikeness, this entering into the sacred space of faith, hope, and love. Contemplation is the most pure expression on earth of this loving union with God.
One might say: But is not loving others the most pure expression of the kingdom of heaven? Yes and no. The most pure expressions of love on earth are those that arise from that inner temple where we are all already one. Therefore, from the Inner Temple we serve from the graces of God already within us and where we are within all and all within us.
You could say: But this does not make sense? My reply: No one said it is meant to make sense. Making sense as most of us speak of sense arises from the mind, not Spirit. The most sublime, mystical Truth is most true for to the ungraced intellect it can never be comprehended, and only in the Spirit can it be consistently and truly intuited: even then, we cannot speak of any rational understanding. Rather, our celebration of the not-knowing is itself an expression of our being willing to become like a child in faith, love, and hope.
Then, regarding the innocence Jesus spoke of in regard to being the spiritual child, we speak of contemplation. Contemplation is the expression of childlike innocence, or that being beyond, or outside, any admixture of other than Divine Benevolence. Innocence in the most sublime sense is, then, not a moral term but a spiritual purity of heart. For Jesus says: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5.8, ESV).
And this purity of contemplation is an undivided, singular-focused heart, content on all things revolving around God Within, the Center Who is Divine Presence: The pure of heart have a devoted and singularity of heart which enables them to disregard distractions which call them away from their main mission to supremely love God (foundationsforfreedom.net).
* * *
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, and their fish, Hope, in Florida. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and inspires others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ. He advocates for a spiritually-focused Christianity and the renewal of the focus of the Church on addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons and empathic relating with diverse spiritual traditions, East and West.
For replies and biographical information, as well as booking retreats or workshops, fill out the following form:
|
