contemplativeI read at least once a year from the following books-
"The Works of St. John of the Cross"
"Carthusians Spirituality: The Writings Of Hugh Of Balma And Guigo De Ponte" [The Classics of Western Spirituality]
"John Ruusbroec The Spiritual Espousals And Other Works" [The Classics of Western Spirituality]
I believe that the Christian life is basically one of prayer to the Lord. "pray without ceasing" 1 Thess. 5:17.
Well I won't go on with this rap but quote Denis the Carthusian-
"The second grade of wisdom is for the proficient. The second grace is the stage where there is growth in the savour and knowledge of divine things, so much so that, by seeing God, man despises all carnal and terrestrial things as being impediments to the clarity and enjoyment of this wisdom, and the joy of tasting and experiencing it, he does all that he can to establish himself in contemplation of divine things. So attractive, so sweet and powerful is the knowledge of God, that it induces in the mind a contempt for sensual and palpable things. This is known as the second grace of this sort of contemplation. To those at this stage the apostle says: 'Grow always in the knowledge of God' (Col 1:10). In this stage God is more sweetly known, and in comparably preferred to all else. He shines more brightly on the soul, so that all things would impede the freedom of the mind to enjoy Him are esteemed as base. By this stage and act of wisdom, souls are enriched who listen obediently to the counsels of eternal Wisdom. They leave the world and enter monasteries. They keep the monastic rule and customs, following them with anxious solicitude, out of their desire for sweeter contemplation." pg. 70 Denis the Carthusian
"[13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
[14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
[15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you." Phil 3:13-15
