The Contemplative...
			What is Contemplative Prayer? The Latin word contemplare literally means "with time." Contemplation, or contemplative prayer, is a way of spending time with God. Contemplative prayer is a prayer of silence. The emphasis is not on technique -- on "mastering silence" -- but on simply being present with the greater, uncreated presence of the Divine. Contemplation is not something we achieve, it is something we allow. We allow ourselves to spend time with God just as we allow ourselves to spend time with anyone we deeply love. To enter into contemplative prayer requires nothing more than a commitment to spend time in silence, offering the time to God. It is time spent listening gently for God's soft whisper. It is best practiced as a daily discipline. It's tempting to fill this time with "stuff" -- we want to tell God all about our needs, and the needs of others. We want to fill the time spent with the Divine by trying to control the agenda. God patiently waits for the times when we let go of our need to control, and we allow the silence to wash throughout our consciousness like a cleansing wave of crystal water. Often, we cannot discern God's presence, for even in the silence we are continually distracted by the static of our thinking minds. But sometimes we do notice the Uncreated Presence within and beyond the silence. Sometimes, our time spent in contemplation is rewarded with an experience of resplendent joy -- but these times are appropriately rare. God comes to us to be in relationship, not just to make us feel good. So contemplation ultimately nurtures us at a level far deeper than feelings. To enter into contemplation is to go on an adventure within the wilderness of the mind and spirit. Persons wishing to engage in a daily practice of silent prayer need a competent and caring guide.. An amchara or "soul friend" is a person who agrees to be a caring mentor to the contemplative seeker. A popular contemporary term for soul friend is "spiritual director."
		To be a contemplative we must become converted to the consciousness that makes us one with the universe, in tune with the cosmic voice of God. We must become aware of the sacred in every single element of life. We must bring beauty to birth in a poor and plastic world. We must restore the human community. We must grow in concert with the God who is within. We must be healers in a harsh society. We must become all those things that are the ground of contemplation, the fruits of contemplation, the end of contemplation. The contemplative life is about becoming more contemplative all the time. It is about being in the world differently. What needs to be changed in us? Anything that makes us the sole center of ourselves. To become a contemplative, a daily schedule of religious events and practices is not enough. We must begin to do life, to be with people, to accept circumstances, to bring good to evil in ways that speak of the presence of God in every moment.                                                                                     ~Joan Chittister, Illuminated Life