Anselm Moynihan writes of contemplation The contemplative dimension belongs in varying degrees to all believers, even if many, or even most, fail to live it in a way that is at all perceptible. But all are called to seek the face of God...
Contemplation. I tried to find a precise definition for the word, to distinguish it from meditation or simple prayer. But all explanations are complicated, extensive, and to some extent, confusing! So I will give my own explanation: contemplation is simply the intimate communication between God and soul when the soul has become familiar with God, when it is second nature of that soul to think of God and to gaze upon him.
The journey toward contemplation isn't as difficult as it would seem. If you are given to daily meditation, if you frequently seek the inspiration of the Spirit, if you ponder life, values, journey and place, you are already a contemplative. The best news is, the more you do these things, the easier it becomes.
Somewhere recently I read that Christians are the least like the Christ of the gospels. I don't know if I agree totally with this, but it certainly deserves some thought. Contemplation is a solution to that problem, because the contemplative person takes on values they believe in and become those truths. In other words, a contemplative lives by what they say they believe, because they are aware of it at all times.
Monastics are called contemplatives because their very lives are meant to draw them into this intimate relationship with God. But all believers are called to this intimacy--all you need do is try.
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