Consideration: Just a Mystic Activity?

[Micheal Jorden]

Do Christian Mystics Actually Engage in This?

I've read Islamic tradition unveiling that Mohammad, exactly like Moses, Abraham, and Jesus, was wont to go to a mountain. While there they would stare at life and its meaning. This has been not recreation, this has been not "getting away from the throngs of people. inches This has been consideration, a crucial element of the mystic traditions. And not just Christian mystics. All mysticism.

Let's look at why just a little before we go further:

"It is essential for the good of the human community that there should be persons who dedicate themselves to the life of contemplation" : St. Thomas Aquinas.

St. Thomas Aquinas's disciple, Peter Pieper wrote: "For it is consideration which preserves accompanied by human society the truth which is at one and the same time useless and the yardstick of a possible use; it's the same also consideration which keeps the actual end in picture, gives meaning to every practical act of life. inches

Even Plato knew that a person could, through consideration, clamber to the "form of God. inches

In Christianity, consideration refers to a content-free mind directed towards the awareness of God as a living reality. Think for a minute about that. A content-free mind. We'll need an extra shot to it.

You should note that in Christian mysticism specifically, you have contemplative prayer (contemplation), which is a form of prayer distinct from singing prayer as well as yoga.

You could call this a form of mystical union with God.

That sounds kind of heavy so let's modern mysticism return to just what it is we are talking about.

Consideration

1. The act or state of consideration.

2. Polite watching with interest or study.

3. Yoga on spiritual matters, especially as a form of devotion.

4. Objective or expectation (for example consideration of an expected change. )

I've noted four actual development (or degrees) of consideration depending on objective and experience of the person.

1. Unfinished mystical union, or what you would call quiet prayer. Don't misunderstand me. There is not a thing wrong with this. This is the normal state of fairly faith based people, particularly when they are taught that deeper states are "dangerous" and the mortals must allow their local professionals to understand spiritual matters and tell the people what they think the people need to know.

2. The full, or what you might call a semi-ecstatic state. This is exactly what St. Teresa sometimes called the "prayer of union. inches This may be done by acts of praise and thanksgiving, but it is principally an act of prayer.

3. Ecstatic Union, or ecstasy. Great ecstasy would be what you would call circumstances which (while it lasts) where the mind rivets its attention on a faith based subject. While this is happening the feelings are halted.

4. A union you can only call deifying. A spiritual marriage of your soul with God.

Please keep in mind that in mysticism, terms are often allegorical and used for the expressing of eternal concrete realities. They things are, by design, only knowable through your own experience.

But why should you stare at. Life is much easier if you don't think about it and as a mystic, you must think deeply. Very deeply. All the knowledge is available, but you must grab it. It will last a considerable amount of time. How long? As long as you live and then a lot more when you are not.

But consideration is only first. You have to get really really quiet with yourself. Really quiet and listen. Then consideration will bring brightness. A mystic doesn't use consideration as an end-all. Consideration brings knowledge. Then you must obsess with on that knowledge and allow it lead you into yourself even deeper.

In order to do this, it is essential that you are able to clear your thoughts. This is easier said than done. It takes a lot of time and experience, but it must be done. You cannot learn about mystical matters as long as your thoughts is constantly distracted by all the little things that life comprises of. Even if you get away from phones and throngs of people, bodily functions and insect pests will constantly be at you for your attention.

That's where a content-free mind comes in. You simply cannot listen to God when your side itches. When a fly buzzes your ear. When the kids need more chocolate milk. When your boss wants you to focus and be quick up.

Is it hard? You bet. But there is no other way.