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 yourself when you have become familiar with God, when it is second nature for you 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. It is the mindfulness of God that makes one a contemplative.

Somewhere I recently read that Christians are the least like the Christ of the gospels. I don't know if I agree with this totally, but it certainly deserves some thought. Contemplation is the solution to that problem, because a contemplative person takes on the values she believes in and become these very truths. In other words, a contemplative lives by what she says she believes, because she has made herself keenly aware of them by keeping in the presence of God.

All of us are called to contemplation. We don't think of it in those monastic terms, but we are all called to mindfulness, and to a remembrance of God within our soul.