What is Contemplative Prayer? Explained by Aura

Contemplative prayer, a term often used in spiritual and religious contexts, is a form of meditation that seeks to cultivate a deep sense of peace, awareness, and connection with the divine. This practice, while rooted in Christian tradition, has parallels in various spiritual traditions around the world, reflecting a universal human yearning for inner peace and spiritual connection.

As a practice, contemplative prayer is more than just a technique or a method. It is a journey, a way of life that invites practitioners to delve into the depths of their being, to encounter the divine in the silence of their hearts, and to allow this encounter to transform their lives in profound ways.

Origins and History of Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries and continents. Its roots can be traced back to the early Christian monastic traditions, particularly the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the 3rd to 5th centuries who sought solitude in the deserts of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine to live a life of prayer and asceticism.

Over the centuries, contemplative prayer evolved and diversified, influenced by various spiritual masters and movements. In the Western Christian tradition, notable figures include the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, a 14th-century English mystical text; St. John of the Cross, a Spanish mystic and poet; and Thomas Merton, a 20th-century Trappist monk and writer.

The Desert Fathers and Mothers

The Desert Fathers and Mothers, also known as the Desert Ascetics, were early Christian hermits who chose to retreat from society to live a life of prayer and spiritual discipline in the desert. They are considered the pioneers of Christian monasticism and the precursors of contemplative prayer.

These desert dwellers believed in the transformative power of silence and solitude. They saw the desert not just as a physical place, but also as a spiritual landscape, a place of purification and encounter with God. Their teachings and sayings, passed down through generations, continue to inspire and guide those on the contemplative path.

The Cloud of Unknowing

The Cloud of Unknowing is a seminal work in the Christian contemplative tradition. Written in Middle English by an anonymous author, this mystical text offers practical advice on contemplative prayer, advocating for a prayer of the heart rather than the mind.

The author uses the metaphor of a "cloud of unknowing" to describe the state of mind in contemplative prayer, where one lets go of intellectual understanding and enters into a direct, experiential knowledge of God. This text has had a significant influence on contemporary contemplative practices, such as Centering Prayer.

Principles and Practice of Contemplative Prayer

Contemplative prayer is grounded in a few key principles: silence, attentiveness, surrender, and transformation. These principles are not just theoretical concepts, but lived experiences that unfold in the practice of contemplative prayer.

While practices may vary, the essence of contemplative prayer remains the same: it is a silent, loving attentiveness to God, a resting in God's presence beyond words, thoughts, and feelings.

Silence

In contemplative prayer, silence is more than the absence of noise. It is a profound stillness, a sacred space where one encounters the divine. Silence in this context is not empty, but full - full of presence, full of mystery, full of potential for deep transformation.

Practicing silence in contemplative prayer is not about suppressing thoughts or achieving a blank mind. Rather, it is about gently letting go of distractions and returning to the awareness of God's presence. It is a process of unlearning, of stripping away the layers of noise and distraction to reveal the stillness within.

Attentiveness

Attentiveness in contemplative prayer is a gentle, non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. It is a state of receptivity, of being fully present to what is, without trying to change or control it.

This attentiveness is not a passive state, but an active engagement with the present moment. It is a practice of mindfulness, of being fully awake to the reality of God's presence in the here and now.

Surrender

Surrender in contemplative prayer is a letting go, a release of control and self-will. It is a movement of trust, of opening oneself to the divine action within.

This surrender is not a loss of self, but a finding of the true self in God. It is a journey from the ego-self, with its illusions and attachments, to the true self, rooted in the divine love.

Transformation

Transformation is the fruit of contemplative prayer. As one engages in this practice, one is gradually transformed from within, becoming more attuned to the divine presence and more responsive to the divine action in one's life.

This transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process. It is a journey of becoming, of growing into the fullness of one's being in God. It is a journey marked by increasing freedom, peace, and love.

Contemplative Prayer in Different Traditions

While contemplative prayer is rooted in the Christian tradition, it has parallels in various spiritual traditions around the world. These practices, though diverse in form and expression, share a common aim: to cultivate a deep sense of peace, awareness, and connection with the divine.

Some of these traditions include Buddhist meditation, Hindu yoga, Islamic Sufism, Jewish Kabbalah, and indigenous spiritual practices. Each of these traditions offers unique insights and methods for the practice of contemplative prayer.

Buddhist Meditation

Buddhist meditation, particularly the practices of mindfulness and loving-kindness, shares many similarities with contemplative prayer. Both practices cultivate a deep sense of peace, awareness, and compassion.

In mindfulness meditation, practitioners are encouraged to be fully present to the moment, to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice of attentiveness aligns closely with the contemplative principle of attentiveness.

Hindu Yoga

Hindu yoga, particularly the practice of meditation (dhyana), also has parallels with contemplative prayer. Both practices seek to cultivate a deep sense of inner peace and connection with the divine.

In yoga, practitioners use physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), and meditation (dhyana) to quiet the mind and attune to the divine presence within. This holistic approach to spiritual practice aligns closely with the contemplative emphasis on the integration of body, mind, and spirit.

Islamic Sufism

Islamic Sufism, the mystical branch of Islam, also shares similarities with contemplative prayer. Sufis seek to cultivate a deep love for God and a direct, personal experience of the divine.

Sufi practices, such as dhikr (remembrance of God) and sama (listening to sacred music), aim to awaken the heart and draw the practitioner into a deep communion with God. This emphasis on the heart aligns closely with the contemplative principle of prayer of the heart.

Jewish Kabbalah

Jewish Kabbalah, the mystical tradition of Judaism, also has parallels with contemplative prayer. Kabbalists seek to cultivate a deep understanding of the divine mysteries and a direct experience of God.

Kabbalistic practices, such as meditation on the sefirot (divine attributes) and the study of sacred texts, aim to awaken the soul and draw the practitioner into a deep communion with God. This emphasis on the soul aligns closely with the contemplative principle of prayer of the soul.

Contemplative Prayer in Daily Life

Contemplative prayer is not just a practice for monastics or spiritual elites. It is a practice for everyone, a practice that can be integrated into daily life. Whether one is at work, at home, or in the midst of daily activities, one can cultivate a contemplative attitude, a mindful awareness of God's presence.

Practicing contemplative prayer in daily life is not about adding another task to one's to-do list. Rather, it is about transforming one's approach to life, seeing every moment as an opportunity for encounter with the divine.

Prayer as a Way of Life

Contemplative prayer invites us to see prayer not just as an activity, but as a way of life. It invites us to live prayerfully, to live mindfully, to live in constant awareness of God's presence.

This prayerful living is not about withdrawing from the world, but about engaging with the world in a new way. It is about seeing the divine in the ordinary, the sacred in the mundane, the holy in the everyday.

Prayer in Action

Contemplative prayer also invites us to see action as a form of prayer. It invites us to live out our prayer in our actions, to let our actions be an expression of our love for God and for others.

This prayer in action is not about doing more, but about being more. It is about being more present, more compassionate, more loving in our actions. It is about letting our actions be a reflection of our inner transformation.

Conclusion

Contemplative prayer is a rich and transformative practice that invites us to cultivate a deep sense of peace, awareness, and connection with the divine. It is a journey, a way of life that can transform our lives in profound ways.

Whether we are beginners on the spiritual path or seasoned practitioners, whether we come from a religious background or not, we can all benefit from the practice of contemplative prayer. It is a universal practice, a human practice, a practice that speaks to the deepest yearnings of our hearts.