Contemplation For Advanced Practitioners
This course in Contemplative Prayer is concise, but it holds the secret to Christian Contemplation. It adds a significant and effortless addition to the 101 fundamental contemplation concepts and practices.
It's essential to understand that you don't need to strive to feel God's presence. You don't have to do anything. You don't always need to use visualizations or other techniques. All you need to do is believe God is with you. That's all. Believe that's all that is required. Believe despite what the mind is thinking or what you are feeling.
You let go and exist at this moment. Be still. Know that God is with you. Know that God created you to feel his love. You were made to know his voice. You are destined to see his face. You don't need to force this form of Contemplation. You rest in the moment with God.
God is the center of everything. He is the Truth that holds all existence together. And he is already with you. He is filling you with love at the center of your being. You don't need to do anything. Just be present and breathe.
God seeks the one whose greatest desire is to know him. Whose heart longs for his holy wonder, whose soul thirsts for the Living Waters, who desires purity in their innermost parts. That's You! God fills you with love as you surrender all and live in the moment. He infuses you with faith, hope, and love. You know the eternal glories begin now on earth.
After a short preparation, you don't need to do anything.
Just be present and breathe.
Rest in the moment with God.
Preparation
1. Induction - 4-Part breath
a. Breath into the count of 4
b. Hold the in-breath to the count of 4
c. Exhale to the count of 4
d. Hold the out-breath to the count of 4
e. Repeat four times
2. Progressive Relaxation
a. Relax your feet, calves, and thighs
b. Relax your groin and stomach
c. Relax your chest and neck
d. Relax your head
3. The Calm
a. Pretend that there is a cool breeze on your forehead
b. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth four times
c. Return to breathing slowly through your nose
Contemplation
1. Be present and breathe.
2. Rest in the moment with God.
Live in the awareness of God's nearness!