Last week I discussed the writing of Thomas More (which I read two weeks ago), A Godly Meditation, In which I said that meditation was setting one's mind on the divine. Last weeks the readings were by Joyce Huggett. She says that meditation is being attentive to God, for the purpose of "seeing ourselves in the light of God's revealed word". We meditate on Scripture so that it can become part of us, not just part of our knowledge base. She also clearly defines what she sees as the difference between meditation, and contemplation. She says that' "Contemplation goes further and deeper than meditation. While the person meditating mutters and muses on God's word, the contemplative pays silent attention to Jesus, the living Word-the one who is central prayer." So meditation is spending time in the Word, studying it, learning it, making it apart of who we are, and contemplation is entering into the presence of Christ. She goes on to give three steps for contemplative prayer: Step one, "we need to give ourselves time to relax in God's presence." in other word we need to give up to God any distractions that would hinder our prayers. Step two, once we have relinquished everything to Him, we become aware of his presence. Step three is that "we open our hearts to His love." She goes on to say that he is there in the quiet place waiting for us, and that while there our outlook changes to become His outlook.
It seems to me that while meditation and contemplation are two separate and distinct disciplines, the one is necessary to do the other correctly. One must meditate on God's word so that we can recognize the presence of God, and one must regularly be in the presence of God to truly understand the Word of God.
This week are readings by Thomas Merton, on Contemplation.
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