Something to remember about contemplation

Here's something quite wonderful by Thomas Merton:

“The only way to get rid of misconceptions about contemplation is to experience it. One who does not actually know, in his own life, the nature of this breakthrough and this awakening to a new level of reality cannot help being misled by most of the things that are said about it. For contemplation cannot be taught. It cannot even be clearly explained. It can only be hinted at, suggested, pointed to, symbolized. The more objectively and scientifically one tries to analyze it, the more he empties it of its real content, for this experience is beyond the reach of verbalization and of rationalization."

- from New Seeds of Contemplation

(Photo from Wikimedia Commons)

Comments

[tgflux]

Wow, new format. Hmmm. Have I mentioned how much I loathe signing-in to places? [Well truthfully, I probably hate ALL format changes, to the extent they involve *ME* having to make changes! (Behold, I'm Growing Old)]

BTW, this is JCF.

[Ellie]

Yikes! I didn't know about the new format until I got the notification of your comment a few minutes ago.

Don't blame me. Blame MadPriest!!