What is Contemplation? Part 3

Today we briefly revisit the topic of Contemplation.

For today we can take as a working definition of contemplation
(and for contemplating, ALL definitions are best thought of as working definitions)

"Any disciplined practice of reaching beyond the bounds of the currently-known
by bringing one's full presence
and ways of knowing
to a focus of inquiry"

Meditation cultivates awareness - second attention - for this "being present".

A fair question is - Why Contemplate?
because it's "difficult" !
What are some motivations?

Maybe there's something that calls you,
that you really want to know.
There are important things to know, aren't there?

But is the purpose so that "I" can "know things"?
Maybe the purpose of contemplation
is because of the effects it has on the "knower".
Immediate ecstatic effects
or long term transformative effects
or simply "being in the moment".

Some modern contemplatives consider the koan
"What's it For?"
as much as the traditional "Who am I?"

What do YOU move towards in contemplation?
How do you do that? What of yourself do you offer to it?
What is the story of the knower, that you bring to it?