# Contemplation ## Catechism of the Catholic Church A form of wordless prayer in which mind and heart focus on God's greatness and goodness in affective, loving [[adoration]]; to look on Jesus and the mysteries of his life with faith and love ([[4.1.1.3.p96#^ccc-2628|2628]], [[4.1.3.1.p9m#^ccc-2715|2715]]). ## Divine Intimacy Meditations - Genuine — inspires generosity and sacrifice: [[59-the-prayer-of-jesus#Meditation 2|59,2]]; - purpose of contemplative graces is to render souls stronger in suffering: [[194-the-way-of-the-cross#Meditation 1|194,1]]; - should not interfere with the practice of fraternal charity: [[64-jesus-and-mankind#Meditation 1|64,1]]; - gift of God granted only to generous souls: [[143-the-living-water#Meditation 2|143,2]]; - it is lawful to desire it, but not excessively, because it is a gift God gives to whom and how He wishes: [[144-god-invites-all-souls#Meditation 1|144,1]]; - necessary to dispose oneself for — with unlimited generosity, with recollection and prayer: [[145-our-preparation#Meditation 1|145,1]], [[145-our-preparation#Meditation 2|145,2]]; - is a precious means of entering into intimacy with God: [[144-god-invites-all-souls#Meditation 1|144,1]]; - diverse degrees and forms of —: [[144-god-invites-all-souls#Meditation 2|144,2]]; - is not the end of the spiritual life, but a powerful means of attaining to the plenitude of love: [[145-our-preparation#Meditation 2|145,2]]; - the more a soul contemplates God, the more it loves Him and acquires generosity in His service: [[151-intimate-converse-with-god#Meditation 2|151,2]]; - obscure and initial — arises amidst the anguish of purifying aridity: [[157-aridity-and-contemplation#Meditation 1|157,1]]; - conduct of the soul in this degree of —: [[158-loving-attention#Meditation 2|158,2]]; [[159-practical-conduct#Meditation 1|159,1]], [[159-practical-conduct#Meditation 2|159,2]]; - — and the apostolate not opposed, but require and sustain each other: [[184-marys-apostolate#Meditation 1|184,1]]; [[342-martha-and-mary#Meditation 2|342,2]]; - the perfect harmony between action and — realized only in the full maturity of the spiritual life: [[331-sanctification-in-the-apostolate#Meditation 2|331,2]]; [[342-martha-and-mary#Meditation 2|342,2]]; - and is the fruit of perfect love: [[342-martha-and-mary#Meditation 2|342,2]]; - one should give oneself to — and action according to the duties of ones’ state in life and in obedience: [[342-martha-and-mary#Meditation 1|342,1]]; - desire of — draws one from performing works not in conformity with the Will of God: [[342-martha-and-mary#Meditation 1|342,1]]; - at the apex of the spiritual life action and — blend in perfect unity and harmony: [[342-martha-and-mary#Meditation 2|342,2]]. ### Sources - [[59-the-prayer-of-jesus|59. The Prayer of Jesus]] - [[64-jesus-and-mankind|64. Jesus and Mankind]] - [[143-the-living-water|143. The Living Water]] - [[144-god-invites-all-souls|144. God Invites All Souls]] - [[145-our-preparation|145. Our Preparation]] - [[151-intimate-converse-with-god|151. Intimate Converse with God]] - [[157-aridity-and-contemplation|157. Practical Conduct]] - [[158-loving-attention|158. Loving Attention to God]] - [[159-practical-conduct|159. Practical Conduct]] - [[184-marys-apostolate|184. Mary’s apostolate]] - [[194-the-way-of-the-cross|194. The way of the Cross]] - [[331-sanctification-in-the-apostolate|331. Sanctification in the apostolate]] - [[342-martha-and-mary|342. Martha and Mary]] --- ## The Interior Castle Study Edition Glossary Teresa understands contemplation to be a form of prayer consisting of the experience of the presence and love of God. This prayer cannot be obtained through our own efforts. Contemplation is superior to types of prayer that we can obtain through our own efforts, such as discursive meditation or active recollection. ## The Way of Perfection CONTEMPLATION. A prayer that cannot be acquired (and is thus “supernatural”) in which the Lord puts the soul at peace by his presence ([[tj-way-ccel-31|31.2]]). It is a gift from the Lord ([[tj-way-ccel-25|25.2]]). In it love is experienced without one's understanding how ([[tj-way-ccel-25|25.2]]). The soul understands that without the noise of words the divine Master is teaching it by causing the faculties to stop their activity ([[tj-way-ccel-25|25.2]]). An effort to gain the great virtues is a necessary preparation, although God may sometimes give the gift to sinners to draw them away from their sins ([[tj-way-ccel-16|16.6]]). God will give the gift to those who prepare themselves although they should remain humble and detached regarding his gifts ([[tj-way-ccel-17|17.7]]). Contemplation is perfect (pure) when all the faculties come to rest entirely in union with the Lord ([[tj-way-ccel-28|28.7]]). Vocal prayer is no obstacle to contemplation or even to perfect contemplation ([[tj-way-ccel-30|30.7]]). Receiving the gift of perfect contemplation is like drinking directly from the fount of living water ([[tj-way-ccel-32|32.9]]). To drink from this fount, we must give our wills to the Lord in everything ([[tj-way-ccel-32|32.9]]–[[tj-way-ccel-32|10]]). The effects of this perfect contemplation are humility, great love of God, detachment from being esteemed, and fortitude in the virtue of forgiving ([[tj-way-ccel-36|36.8]],[[tj-way-ccel-36|11]]–[[tj-way-ccel-36|13]]). Another effect is the acceptance of trials, temptations, persecutions, and struggles ([[tj-way-ccel-38|38.1]]). Both the love and fear of God become very manifest ([[tj-way-ccel-41|41.1]]). God is not content solely with bringing a soul to union; he begins to delight in it and reveal his secrets to it ([[tj-way-ccel-32|32.12]]).