Contemplation

The Thinker at Kyoto

Lesson 1 (What Contemplation is and is not)

## Introduction

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This 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

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This Lesson will...

1. Identify the single, radical distinction between Oriental Mysticism and Christian Contemplation.
2. Expose the oft-ignored difference between the Desert Fathers of Syria and the Fathers of Egypt.
3. Put "Prayer of the Heart" in bold-relief by citing carefully-selected excerpts of John of the Cross’ writings.
4. Set a stage for Unit Seven's attempt at a common-sense/five-part teaching on Contemplation.

## Hints

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As you read the Sources, look for the following:

1. The critical difference between Oriental Mysticism and Christian Contemplation.
2. Root-cause of the critical difference between the Desert Fathers of Egypt and those of Syria.
3. A sense of the absolute richness of John of the Cross' Inner Life.
4. 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