Contemplation
Lesson 1 (What Contemplation is and is not)
Introduction
editThis Lesson will offer an introduction-to, and overview-of … a thousand-year biographical history of "Infused-Prayer" by setting-forth, in bold-relief, the writings of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila.
Purpose
editThis Lesson will...
- Identify the single, radical distinction between Oriental Mysticism and Christian Contemplation.
- Expose the oft-ignored difference between the Desert Fathers of Syria and the Fathers of Egypt.
- Put "Prayer of the Heart" in bold-relief by citing carefully-selected excerpts of John of the Cross’ writings.
- Set a stage for Unit Seven's attempt at a common-sense/five-part teaching on Contemplation.
Hints
editAs you read the Sources, look for the following:
- The critical difference between Oriental Mysticism and Christian Contemplation.
- Root-cause of the critical difference between the Desert Fathers of Egypt and those of Syria.
- A sense of the absolute richness of John of the Cross' Inner Life.
- A grasp of essential characteristics in the growth-stages in Contemplative Prayer.
To undertake study of this Lesson, go to: http://www.contemplativerudder.com/ContemplationIA.pdf