More from "New Seeds of Contemplation" by Thomas Merton.
...contemplation is more than a consideration of abstract truths about God, more even than affective meditation on the things we believe. It is awakening, enlightenment and the amazing intuitive grasp by which love gains certitude of God's creative and dynamic intervention in our daily life. Hence contemplation does not simply "find" a clear idea of God and confine Him within the limits of that idea, and hold Him there as a prisoner to Whom it can always return. On the contrary, contemplation is carried away by Him into His own realm, His own mystery and His own freedom. It is a pure and virginal knowledge, poor in concepts, poorer still in reasoning, but able by its very poverty and purity, to follow the Word "wherever He may go."
It is as though we cannot expect to take the lead and make the journey of contemplation into something we can control and have as a possession. I like the image of being "carried away by God into God's own realm." In that way, contemplation will not leave me with a reinforced life. Rather, I will be left as one who has been opened up to that which is not under my control. In those moments, that "mystery" of God remains mystery but it is not something far off and distant. The presence of God is thus, very close and I am being pulled or pushed or nudged into a place in which things in my life can be quite new. In contemplation, the starting point may not be the same. It may be an interruption that opens up God's realm in a way I have not anticipated. It seems like it would be in those moments when I can walk around in that place and begin to consider a bit more of what God is showing me...without having to control the walk...but simply be open to the next turn in the road.
Connection: God's realm is constantly before us and ready to let us experience and see glimpses of life that is other than what I know. I think each of us has different ways of giving space to moments like this.
When you take hold of us and lead us, O God, we often do not watch to see the path upon which you walk with us...and we do not let ourselves be open to see the grandeur of Reign. When you intervene into our lives, inspire us to see your creativity come to life. Amen.
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