Contemplative Haven: Getting Down to Business 
Getting Down to Business
When I began to experience contemplative prayer about twelve years ago, I had no one to help me understand what was happening. I didn't know it was contemplative prayer, because I knew absolutely nothing about it. I didn't have a clue who I could talk to, or even what to say if I had known someone. So I began reading books on spirituality, as if my very life depended on it. I know my sanity certainly did. It was three years before I found the contemplative writers, and then I knew. At that point, God placed a pastor in my life who was himself a contemplative, and who helped me get through some critical periods.
My purpose in starting this blog was to fill a wee niche, to provide a place where people could come and really learn about contemplative prayer and contemplation. As with all things spiritual, the subject of contemplation is filled with apparent opposites, which we must try to bring together. It is called the highest form of prayer, yet it is available to everyone. It is a total gift from God, yet we are called to prepare for it. It is a complete receiving, yet we must be active in our practice and in our attention, in our expectancy. It is not something which can be taught, yet we can teach about it, sharing knowledge and experience.
And so, I would like to begin now, at Contemplative Haven, in earnest. Over a number of months, and I don't know how many, I would like us to take a contemplative journey, from humble beginnings, through the consolations, into the dark nights and beyond, towards the Transforming Union. After that, my job here may be finished. I guess He will let me know.
My posts may or may not lend themselves to comments, but please feel free to ask any questions you wish, anonymously if you prefer. My answers will not be my personal opinions - I will always source the great contemplative saints and writers, and if I have no immediate answer, I will do my best to find it for you.
My goal here is only to help, especially in offering the kind of guidance I would dearly have loved to have received from a human being during the initial stages, but didn't. So often, God seems to want us to take this contemplative journey alone, with Himself as the sole guide. But every now and then, He drops someone into our lives, puts someone beside us on the path, to reassure us and help move us forward. That's who I would like to be - the person beside you on the path, nudging, nudging, nudging...
My purpose in starting this blog was to fill a wee niche, to provide a place where people could come and really learn about contemplative prayer and contemplation. As with all things spiritual, the subject of contemplation is filled with apparent opposites, which we must try to bring together. It is called the highest form of prayer, yet it is available to everyone. It is a total gift from God, yet we are called to prepare for it. It is a complete receiving, yet we must be active in our practice and in our attention, in our expectancy. It is not something which can be taught, yet we can teach about it, sharing knowledge and experience.
And so, I would like to begin now, at Contemplative Haven, in earnest. Over a number of months, and I don't know how many, I would like us to take a contemplative journey, from humble beginnings, through the consolations, into the dark nights and beyond, towards the Transforming Union. After that, my job here may be finished. I guess He will let me know.
My posts may or may not lend themselves to comments, but please feel free to ask any questions you wish, anonymously if you prefer. My answers will not be my personal opinions - I will always source the great contemplative saints and writers, and if I have no immediate answer, I will do my best to find it for you.
My goal here is only to help, especially in offering the kind of guidance I would dearly have loved to have received from a human being during the initial stages, but didn't. So often, God seems to want us to take this contemplative journey alone, with Himself as the sole guide. But every now and then, He drops someone into our lives, puts someone beside us on the path, to reassure us and help move us forward. That's who I would like to be - the person beside you on the path, nudging, nudging, nudging...
posted by Gabrielle at 12:08 AM
1 Comments:
i am excited to join you and will be completely willing to ask questions - my father sent me a book on centering prayer before he passed away and one of the opening paragraphs said something to the effect of "if you are not serious, put this book down until you are."
the book has remained closed for two years, but i am willing to learn so very much more.
i am ready :)
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