Dear Friends,
Welcome to Part XII of our course, Wisdom is the Way. Thus far, we have discussed the wisdom of impermanence, connection, and not knowing. We have also explored principles to live by through the cardinal and theological virtues and learned about noticing, examining, and mastery.
Today’s meditation transitions to practices (e.g., meditation, contemplation, journaling, etc.) and what it means to live a contemplative life.
The Contemplative Life
Although philosophers and theologians have consistently stressed the importance of contemplation, the practice is not entirely straightforward. Therefore, before we discuss the notion of living a contemplative life, we need to explore its meaning.
What is Contemplation?
The American Trappist monk Thomas Merton frequently wrote in the opening chapter of New Seeds of Contemplation,
Contemplation is the highest expression of man’s intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive. It is a spiritual wonder. It is spontaneous awe at the sacredness of life, of being. It is gratitude for life, for awareness, and for being.
