Recently I was at a Parish Day celebration enjoying lunch and community when I noticed a little boy of about 3 years old standing in front of a musician in the centre of the gathering who was playing the saxophone. The little boy was totally absorbed in what was happening and, it seemed to me, wondering how the music was being ‘made’. The little boy was excited and looked around to check what others might be making of this and then looked back to gaze at the musician. In his excitement he then started dancing to the music. After a few moments he ran off but manged to return a little later as if to make contact again with the joy and excitement of his new discovery. We have all witnessed such moments in our lives – the awe, the wonder, the amazement, the excitement and maybe the ‘beyond belief’ of beauty…. As well as witnessing such moments, we have also experienced such moments and have perhaps tried to capture them by reaching for the camera while realising we can never recapture the actual experience but only a memory of it. Nonetheless, something of the awesomeness beyond words remains.
This is contemplation but it may be dismissed as wasting time; of no use to anyone; not able to be analysed scientifically; not able to be measured in its productivity or practical outcomes and therefore of no account.
In some of his writings about contemplation, St. John of the Cross (1542 – 1591) speaks of ‘entering the unknowing and remaining in the unknowing’… and while this is the writing of a great Mystic and Poet it gives us some sense of contemplation really being beyond words. But he, among others, spoke of contemplation as an experience – an experience of a loving and trusting relationship with God and the life journey this will lead us through. It is a process that deepens our awareness of who we are and who God is. It enriches us with longing for God in wonder, awe and gratitude. It faces us into what pain and suffering may be about for each of us – perhaps the ebbing of life of a loved one, or treasured pet, the ‘letting go’ and experiencing the depths of the unknown.
Contemplation is a gift of God which invites us to become our ‘true’ selves, leading us through gradual transformation into His love. It is not only for those who live a Contemplative life- style in religious or monastic orders or who live as hermits. As Christians we are gifted in Baptism with faith that God is living in us and God invites us to be attentive to our spiritual lives – our whole lives. It’s a bit like the little boy listening to the music and puzzling out where it was coming from. The musician went on playing helping the little boy discover the link between musician, the instrument and the sound produced which enabled the little boy to respond by joining in the dance spontaneously. We too have our part to play in listening and pondering, through prayer and reflection on the scriptures. There are many prayer practices that help us in our spiritual journey. Contemplative prayer practices focus more on stillness, silence (God’s first language) and listening. The sense of God’s presence may come and go and indeed this is part of the process but it is important to show up for prayer on a frequent/daily basis to meet with the One who is closer to us than we are to ourselves. What a gift to be able to open our minds and hearts to God the Ultimate Mystery yet ever present within us. And we are changed in the process!
In coming to know the compassionate heart of God and through the stilling of our own self -centred thoughts we are able to be more open to others’ needs. Saint Teresa of Avilla (1515-1582) writes in the Interior Castle that having reached union with God one doesn’t remain there but is propelled to a greater commitment to others: “The reason for prayer and this union is the birth of good works”. Contemplation in action! It’s a bit like saying that the purpose of Contemplation is not to become ‘holy’ (that’s God’s business), but to become more whole, more real; willing to follow Christ and become who we are meant to become, listening and responding to His call. Our great exemplar is Mary who listened, pondered, responded, rested in God and reached out to others, for example, going in haste to her cousin Elizabeth. We see her later responding to the embarrassment of a wedding couple…..
This is where the Contemplative dance will lead us: but we won’t be in control. We just have to commit ourselves to daily Contemplative prayer that leads to a ‘deep listening and receptive silence, a silence that speaks and loves’ (Adam Bucko) and have the courage to respond to where He leads us.
Trish Murphy
