The Gift of Understanding
Contemplation is our natural, divinely intended element, and it is in this space that we truly encounter the depths of reality. "Contemplation is the natural, divinely intended element for humanity." [1] In this understanding, we realize that contemplation is not a human invention or something we do out of obligation; it is a practice deeply rooted in our very essence. It is in this space of deep stillness and inner listening that we come face to face with the truth of who we are. When we embrace contemplation as our true element, we are returning to our original state—a state of being fully present to God and the world around us (Psalm 46:10). It is in this return that we come to understand that "True knowledge and love of God can only be realized through deep, experiential understanding." [1] Contemplation helps us to know God not through intellectual study or external practices but through direct, experiential engagement with the Divine, which transcends the limits of human reasoning (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).
The first encounter with contemplation is often disorienting yet strangely familiar, as though we are reconnecting with an aspect of ourselves long forgotten. "Contemplation initially feels new and unfamiliar, yet there is an intrinsic recognition that it is deeply aligned with our true nature." [1] This is a common experience for many, as we are not accustomed to stepping away from the noise of daily life and the clutter of our minds to sit in quietness. However, in this quietude, there is an awakening—a recognition that this practice is, in fact, a homecoming to the place where we can truly encounter God. When we engage in contemplation, we do not simply think about the Divine but experience it directly. This knowing is different from the typical modes of understanding we are accustomed to. It is a knowing that transcends the ordinary intellectual or sensory experience (Matthew 11:29). "True knowledge and love of God can only be realized through deep, experiential understanding." [1] This is the heart of contemplation: a transformative experience of God’s love and presence that does not rely on conceptualization but on the direct connection of the heart.
In our everyday lives, we are accustomed to ordinary knowledge, which is often limited and uncertain. "Ordinary ways of knowing and seeing are limited and often uncertain, whereas contemplation provides pure, direct, and peaceful knowledge." [1] Ordinary knowledge can be fragmented, partial, and influenced by the world’s distractions. It requires constant effort to attain, and often, it leads to confusion or anxiety. In contrast, contemplative knowing is rooted in deep peace and wholeness. It is not the product of human striving but the result of being fully present to God’s unfolding truth. The clarity that comes through contemplation is a gift of the Spirit, a way of seeing that is not clouded by the noise of external distractions or internal turmoil (James 3:17). "Contemplation allows one to transcend the fragmented experience of ordinary knowledge, providing clarity, certitude, and inner peace." [1] This inner peace, born of direct encounter with God, leads us into a place where all uncertainty dissolves, and we find ourselves securely grounded in the Divine.
Contemplative experience is not one of frantic effort or intellectual pursuit but one of surrender, simplicity, and quiet receptivity. "Contemplative experience is characterized by a profound sense of simplicity and purity, where one receives clarity and truth not by intellectual effort but by being absorbed in it." [1] In the midst of contemplation, we stop striving to gain something and simply become present to what already is. This experience is one of surrender to the divine presence, allowing ourselves to be fully immersed in it without the need to analyze or judge. It is in this space that the soul finds its peace and clarity, where all questions fade, and we are simply held in God’s love. When we cease trying to control the outcome or force an understanding, we open ourselves to receive God’s truth in a pure and untainted way (Psalm 46:10). "God’s presence in contemplation is experienced as both emptiness and fullness, deeply transformative, and beyond ordinary understanding." [1] This paradox of emptiness and fullness speaks to the richness of divine presence: as we empty ourselves of everything that distracts or divides us, we are filled with the fullness of God’s love, which brings transformation and wholeness (Ephesians 3:16-19).
The true freedom that contemplation offers is not external but deeply rooted in God’s presence, where our selfhood is fully realized in relation to the Divine. "True freedom and selfhood are found in the depths of God’s love, which is the ultimate reality that anchors us." [1] The freedom we long for is not the ability to control our circumstances or our desires but the liberation from the ego’s grip. It is in the depths of God’s love that we find true peace and the freedom to be fully who we are, without pretension or fear. In contemplation, we are invited to rest in this love, knowing that it is God who sustains and defines us, not the world’s fleeting standards or expectations (John 8:36). "This freedom is a peace that cannot be disturbed by external circumstances; it is an internal state of unshakable harmony." [1] The peace that arises in contemplation is one that is not dependent on the shifting circumstances of life but is rooted in an unshakable trust in God’s presence and care for us (Philippians 4:7).
Contemplation is a divine gift—an offering we do not earn or achieve but receive with humility. "Contemplation is a divine gift, not something earned, and requires humility and acceptance of God’s will." [1] This is not a practice we can manufacture by our own effort; it is a grace that God freely offers to those who seek Him in sincerity. To receive this gift, we must be humble, acknowledging that we cannot attain divine understanding by our own power but only through God’s grace. Humility opens our hearts to the divine presence, allowing us to accept and embrace God’s will for our lives without resistance. In this posture of openness, we are invited into a deeper understanding of the Divine, a knowledge that comes not through striving but through quiet receptivity (Matthew 5:3). "Contemplation requires humility and acceptance of God’s will." [1] This acceptance is not passive resignation but an active embrace of the fullness of God’s presence in our lives.
The transformative power of contemplation is not in the striving but in the silent acceptance of God’s presence. "The transformative power of contemplation is in the acceptance of God’s love in a silent, humble manner." [1] It is not through our actions or efforts that we are transformed but through our willingness to simply be in the presence of God and allow that presence to shape us. This transformation takes place not in grand gestures or dramatic experiences but in the quiet, daily practice of surrendering to God’s love. In the stillness of contemplation, we allow God’s love to fill every part of our being, and it is this love that changes us from the inside out. "Contemplation nurtures a profound peace and joy that praises God not through words but through the soul’s deep and silent embrace of His presence." [1] This peace is not only the result of contemplation but also a testament to its power, a peace that surpasses understanding and a joy that comes from deep union with God (Romans 5:1-5).
Purity of heart is essential for deepening our experience of God’s presence in contemplation. "Purity of heart is a key to experiencing the deeper realms of God’s presence, and it is through this purity that selfishness is transcended." [1] In contemplation, we are invited to purify our hearts so that we may see God more clearly (Matthew 5:8). The purity of heart allows us to experience the fullness of God’s love and presence in a way that is not clouded by selfish desires or attachments. When the heart is pure, it becomes a vessel through which God’s love flows freely, and it is through this unselfish openness that we are able to experience God’s presence in the deepest ways. "True purity is realized in the moments of deep love and connection with God that deliver us from self-centeredness." [1] This purity of heart leads to true transformation, as we move beyond our egoic needs and desires into a deeper alignment with God’s will for our lives.
The “scar” of returning to self-centeredness is a reminder of our deeper calling. "Falling back into selfishness or worldly distractions causes a 'scar' or spiritual wound that reminds us of our true calling." [1] While moments of distraction or regression may feel like setbacks, they are actually opportunities for growth. When we return to our egoic patterns or worldly distractions, we are reminded of the deeper truth of who we are and the call to live in union with God. These scars, while painful, point us back to our true purpose and deepen our longing for God’s presence. In these moments, we are invited to return once again to the practice of contemplation and to God’s love, which will heal the wounds and restore our focus (Hebrews 12:11). "This scar of falling away becomes a reminder of the soul’s longing to return to its true state, calling us back into the depths of God’s love and truth."
The gift of understanding in contemplation is not intellectual but experiential. "The gift of understanding in contemplation is the ability to move beyond personal knowledge into a limitless, untainted truth." [1] In contemplation, we are not seeking knowledge in the traditional sense, but rather, we are receiving divine wisdom that transcends human limitations. This wisdom is not gained through study or analysis but through a direct encounter with God. As we deepen our contemplative practice, we find that our understanding shifts from intellectual concepts to a direct knowing of God’s will for our lives. "This understanding is not conceptual but experiential, drawing one into deeper union with God, where intellectual distinctions no longer hold." [1] The understanding that emerges from contemplation is not subject to the limitations of the mind but comes from the heart, where we are united with God in a way that surpasses all human understanding (1 John 3:24).
[1] Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation