From New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton.
Contemplation is always beyond our own knowledge, beyond our own light, beyond systems, beyond explanations, beyond discourse, beyond dialogue, beyond our own self. To enter into the realm of contemplation one must in a certain sense die: but this death is in fact the entrance into a higher life. It is a death for the sake of life, which leaves behind all that we can know or treasure as life, as thought, as experience, as joy, as being.
When we leave things behind...it is everything. It is that driving ego that must prove itself to be the ego that it is. It is that "sorry me" that yearns for pity and attention and is thus unable to be alone and see the beauty of the world as it shows up for our amazement. It is beginning fresh...with new eyes...without having to clarify, justify...ready to move into the moment at hand with wide eyes even when our eyes are shut...with that incredible openness that allows us to enter into the day as though we are being reborn. The rebirth is really, as Merton notes, a dying. I think we catch glimpses of this place and have our moments there. And yet, they are not planned - for when we take on the task of planning we take on the chore of controlling so that our plans may be met. Contemplation seems to be the opening that occurs as though we have opened a "treasure" that is both amazing and befuddling.
Connection: Some times I wonder if moments of contemplation are opening up all the time. We just never take the time to notice the awe filled space and enter it.
Come, Holy Spirit. Come and open our eyes to the wonder of life so we may experience the joy that comes from being taken up into the fullness of your Reign even as it comes in the fleeting moments of this day. Amen.
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