What is Contemplation? Part 2
Table of contents
- 1. Notes
We continue with the theme "What is Contemplation?"
with a recognition of the way that thought often divides things up
or is it that we focus on one thing at a time
because we cannot DO everything at once?
To speak of contemplation as a "what",
of its properties as it stands apart from where it lives
conceals other ways of knowing
which we could call by names or koans such as
"Who is the Contemplator?"
or "What draws ME in this contemplation?"
So our consideration of Contemplation
or of any other topic
draws the object of meditation
against a background of unity
that we sense as present but cannot speak.
Thus the contemplative traditions give us images of unity
that are themselves hints of contemplation of unity
The mythic Taoist sage Lao Tzu said:
Thirty spokes join to make the wheel
It is the empty space at the center that makes it useful
When contemplated, this symbol of the Wheel
points to, or conceals, many lessons.
In terms of practice
contemplation, meditation, or other deep arts
require a balance between structure and freedom
between form and the formless.
Peter Ralston does a good job of speaking about structure
how to create the container of form around the open center
which he calls "not knowing"
the place where knowing is born.
Contemplation as a practice
may reassemble, over time
our awareness
of a primordial unity
which itself was never broken.
We bring different parts of ourselves together in this task
John O'Donohue speaks of the way that thought
crosses a threshold and when it engages mystery
and moves towards wholeness and belonging
with a "longing for the divine".
As the wheel and spokes image suggests
all the spokes point to or originate from the center openness
so you can choose any topic, or any way of knowing
for contemplation.
Some say we are "always already" engaged in an act of contemplation
an act of prayer
in which we are calling
"this life"
into its unique form.
What draws you?
What contemplation might you already or frequently be doing?
Notes
In his book Eternal Echoes, John O'Donohue writes:
Thought is a profound form of longing. Much of the thought that cripples us is dried out, dead thought. There is no warmth of longing alive in it. Thought that loses touch with feeling is lethal.
Thought crosses fascinating thresholds when it engages mystery. Mystery cannot be unravelled by thought, yet the most interesting thinking always illuminates some lineaments of mystery. It opens our minds to a depth of presence that cannot be rifled by even our brightest or most vigorous ideas. Mystery keeps its secret to itself. With its reserve, it invites us ever nearer to the hearth of truth and belonging. Mystery kindles our longing and draws us out of complacency into ever more refined and appropriate belonging. A life that has closed off mystery has deadened itself...
Thought is the form of the mind's desire. It is in our thinking that the depth of our longing comes to expression. This longing can never be fulfilled by any one person, project or thing. The secret immensity of the soul is the longing for the divine.
From Chuang Tzu we hear of the "Pivot", a point where seeming opposites meet in a dynamic unity:
The Way is obscured when we understand only one of a pair of opposites
or concentrate only on a partial aspect of being.
Clear expression becomes muddled by mere wordplay
affirming one aspect and denying the rest
The wise man grasps this pivot
and stands at the center of the circle
while "Yes" and "No" pursue each other around the circumference.
This is the pivot of Tao
where all affirmations and denials converge,
the still-point from which all movements and oppositions originate.
In The Book of Not Knowing Ralston's principles for setting up, and practicing, contemplation include the following:
- Presence: Keep your attention in the present moment.
- Clarity: Clarify what you are going to contemplate.
- Possibility: Hold that it is possible to become conscious of whatever you are contemplating
- Intention: Intend, right now, to become aware of the truth.
- Openness: Allow yourself to deeply not-know and be open to whatever might be true.
- Focus: Keep all your attention on your subject. If your mind wanders, bring it right back.
- Question: Truly wonder. Keep a steady questioning that's related to your intent.
- Be disciplined and apply yourself: Set aside time for a steady practice.
- Cultivate your awareness and quality of attention (several practices are suggested).
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