Mental Prayer
Contemplation, at its core, is the union of our mind and will with God in an act of pure love. This form of union takes us beyond intellectual thought, where we seek to know God not through concepts or definitions, but through direct relational experience. It’s the process of allowing God to be known not in the clarity of rational understanding, but in the loving surrender of our hearts. “The way to contemplation is to develop and perfect our mind and will and our whole soul,” [1] which speaks to the essential point that contemplation transforms the whole of our being, not just our intellect. In this space of love, the search for knowledge diminishes as our desire for God's presence deepens, allowing us to simply rest in the divine mystery. (Philippians 3:8)
The act of contemplation involves a delicate balance between our effort and God’s grace. We begin by working diligently to purify and align our hearts and minds, cultivating love and knowledge of God through meditation and prayer. However, the true power of contemplation comes from God’s intervention, which “raises this whole process of development above the level of our nature.” [1] The moment God intervenes, our human capacities are perfected beyond what we could achieve alone. This partnership between human effort and divine grace is what leads us into the deeper realms of contemplative prayer, where our striving eventually gives way to the mystical union with the Divine. (Philippians 2:13)
The various techniques for meditation and prayer are not inherently problematic, but they become limiting when we use them in ways that stifle personal engagement. “A good meditation book should teach you how to think and not to do your thinking for you.” [1] It is crucial that we engage with them actively, using the prompts to spark genuine reflection rather than passively absorbing what is presented. Meditation is meant to encourage a personal encounter with the Divine, which requires us to be mentally and spiritually alert, ready to follow the inspiration of the moment, rather than being tethered to a fixed script. Jesus encourages us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (Mark 12:30), which challenges us to use our full capacity in meditation, not just our intellect.
As beginners in the spiritual life, it is important to develop the freedom of mind that allows us to find God in all aspects of our lives. “Learn how to meditate on paper,” and “learn how to pray in the streets or in the country,” [1] because the opportunity to connect with God is not confined to a specific time or place. True meditation is not about rigidly adhering to a schedule but about cultivating a posture of openness and attentiveness to God’s presence in every moment. By broadening our view of where and when we can meditate, we begin to live in a constant state of awareness and communion with the Divine, wherever we are. “Pray without ceasing,” indicating that the opportunity to commune with God is not limited to special moments but is available to us throughout our day (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
It’s important to understand that the purpose of meditation goes beyond gaining knowledge, resolving to be virtuous, or even feeling emotions of love for God. “The real purpose of meditation is this: to teach a man how to work himself free of created things and temporal concerns.” [1] Meditation is a spiritual discipline aimed at transcending the distractions of the material world and moving toward a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. This deeper purpose involves not merely thinking about or loving God on an intellectual or emotional level but becoming increasingly aware of God's presence in the depths of our being, leading us to a more profound state of dependence on Him. The priority of God’s presence is above all other concerns (Matthew 6:33).
Meditation is not a process designed to generate intellectual insights or emotional highs, though these may arise along the way. Instead, “Meditation is a twofold discipline…First it is supposed to give you sufficient control over your mind and memory and will to enable you to recollect yourself and withdraw from exterior things.” [1] The true focus of meditation is the cultivation of an inner stillness and the ability to concentrate on God, setting aside the distractions and concerns of the world. The goal is to create a space where we can be present with God, not for the purpose of generating intellectual ideas or emotional experiences but to cultivate a heart that is continually aware of God’s presence. (Isaiah 26:3)
The ultimate goal of meditation is to bring us into an intimate, relational awareness of God’s presence. “The real end of meditation…it teaches you how to become aware of the presence of God.” [1] This awareness is not the product of intellectual exercise or mental effort but of a spiritual posture that leans into God’s presence. As we practice this awareness, we move from relying on our intellect or emotions to developing a deeper, more fundamental dependence on God, recognizing that only in His presence do we find true peace and fulfillment. (Psalm 16:11)
The success of meditation should not be measured by the outcomes that are visible or tangible, such as insights or emotional warmth. “The success of your meditation will not be measured by the brilliant ideas you get or the great resolutions you make.” [1] True success is seen in the cultivation of a constant, loving attention to God, an attention that becomes more habitual over time. The focus of meditation is to nurture a deeper sense of devotion to God, allowing our hearts and minds to be ever turned toward Him, regardless of any external markers of success or failure. The inner devotion we cultivate in meditation is of utmost value, regardless of visible outcomes (Colossians 3:23).
Meditation often leads to a place of spiritual dryness, confusion, or helplessness, which is not a sign of failure but of progress. “The more helpless you are, the more you seem to desire to see Him and to know Him.” [1] This paradox, where spiritual dryness leads to a deeper longing, reflects the nature of true contemplation. In this space of uncertainty, we are invited to surrender to God in blind faith and hope, recognizing that our longing for God is the fulfillment of the meditation, even when no tangible insights or feelings arise. Even in moments of helplessness, God is present, working within us. (Romans 8:26)
The closer we draw to God in meditation, the more we realize that intellectual understanding becomes secondary to a deeper surrender. “The closer you get to God, the less question there can be of realizing Him or anything about Him.” [1] As we approach God, we enter into the mystery where words and concepts fall short, and we are invited to trust in God’s presence, even when it seems inaccessible or beyond our grasp. This is a space of deep surrender, where we release the need to understand and embrace the reality of faith that goes beyond our comprehension. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
When meditation leads us into confusion or a sense of spiritual failure, it is often the sign of a deeper work being done within us. “This bafflement, this darkness, this anguish of helpless desire is a fulfillment of meditation.” [1] These moments of spiritual dryness are not setbacks but opportunities for God to deepen our longing for Him. In this space, we learn to trust and lean into God’s presence, even when it feels elusive, knowing that these experiences are part of the spiritual maturation process. (James 1:2-4)
When meditation brings us to the point of encountering spiritual darkness, where God feels distant or hidden, this is not a failure of prayer but an invitation to deepen our longing. “When it gets beyond the level of your understanding and your imagination, it is really bringing you close to God.” [1] In this darkness, our longing for God intensifies, and we are called to surrender our need to understand or control the experience. It is in this surrender that we come closest to the Divine, as we reach out to God through blind faith and hope, trusting that He is with us even when He is hidden. (Psalm 42:1-2)
Even when meditation feels difficult or dry, it’s important to persist: “you should return to it at your appointed time each day, in spite of the difficulty and dryness and pain you feel.” [1] Consistency in meditation, even through periods of struggle, allows us to cultivate a deeper connection with God. Over time, this practice will reveal the way forward, even when we cannot see it clearly at first. Our persistence opens the door for God’s grace to continue working in our hearts, teaching us what to do, even when we feel lost or uncertain. (Hebrews 12:1)
Out of the tension and dryness that may accompany deeper forms of meditation, a simpler form of prayer often emerges. “You may perhaps be led into a completely simple form of affective prayer in which your will… reaches out into the darkness where God is hidden.” [1] This form of prayer is marked by a deep, yet simple, yearning for God, where words and thoughts give way to a silent, wordless yearning. It’s a prayer that does not seek to understand or control but simply opens the heart to God’s presence, even in the midst of spiritual obscurity. (Romans 8:26)
Once we have entered a space of spiritual dryness or simplicity, it’s important not to overcomplicate the meditation with excessive intellectual effort. “When it becomes possible to meditate again, meditate. If you get an idea, develop it, but without excitement.” [1] The goal is to keep the practice simple and peaceful, not to chase after ideas or emotional highs. Meditation should be a quiet, steady practice that remains grounded in the present moment, without striving for anything beyond what is already being offered in that time. We are invited to simply rest in God’s presence, without forcing or manipulating the experience (Psalm 46:10).
Meditation is not just about intellectual understanding, emotional experiences, or practical results. It’s about developing a constant and open awareness of God’s presence, in every moment, regardless of external circumstances or personal challenges. Through this continuous practice of surrender and trust, meditation allows us to grow deeper into our relationship with God, cultivating a heart that is continually turned toward Him, without relying on intellectual or emotional markers of success. May we approach our practice with humility, persistence, and trust in the process of divine grace, knowing that each moment of prayer brings us one step closer to the heart of God.
[1] Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation
This is extremely well done.