Contemplation as a Way of Engaging with the World
A Brief Look at Contemplation in Christian Spirituality and in the Spiritual Exercises
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54855/csl.24419Keywords:
Contemplation, Spirituality, Spiritual Exercises, Christianlity, Ignatius of LoyolaAbstract
The article clarifies the essential role of contemplation in Christian spirituality, especially in Ignatian spirituality. Contemplation is defined as an act of faith aimed at intimate union with God, including contemplating God and what belongs to Him with ardent love. Two main forms of contemplation are distinguished: natural contemplation focused on creatures and supernatural contemplation focused on God. Ignatian spirituality emphasizes the use of imagination in contemplation to facilitate a deeper connection with God. The article also emphasizes the close relationship between contemplation and action: Contemplation is not only an interior act, but also motivates people to engage in the world with love. The ultimate purpose of contemplation is to achieve love for God and neighbor. Through contemplation, people gradually transform themselves, becoming more like God and ready to serve the world.
References
David Lonsdale. Chiêm Ngắm và Lắng Nghe, đường vào linh đạo I-nhã. Texas: An Tôn & Đuốc Sáng, 2007.
Giáo Lý Hội Thánh Công Giáo. Hà Nội: NXB Tôn Giáo, 2022.
Giuse Phạm Thanh Liêm, S.J. Linh Thao Trong Cuộc Sống. Hà Nội: NXB Tôn Giáo, 2022.
Hoàng Sóc Sơn, S.J. Những Bước Đường Theo Chúa. Texas: An Tôn & Đuốc Sáng, 2007.
J. Aumann. "Contemplation." In New Catholic Encyclopedia, Second Edition, 203-209. Washington: Gale, 2003.
Javier Melloni, S.J. The Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola in The Western Tradition. Herefordshire: Gracewing, 2000.
Josheph N. Tylenda, S.J. "The Books That Led Ignatius to God." Review for Religious, 1998: 286-298.
Lm. F.x. Nguyễn Hữu Tấn. Vấn đề cầu nguyện, tập 2: Tâm nguyện. Hà Nội: NXB Tôn Giáo, 2015.
Ramon Ma, Luza Bautista, S.J. Cầu nguyện và nhận định theo thánh I-nhã. Luận án tiến sĩ, London University, 1997.
William H. Shannon. "Contemplation, Contemplative Prayer." In The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, by Michael Downey, 209-210. Minnesota: The Liturgical Press, 1993.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Vinh Sơn Phạm Văn Sơn
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal the right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository, in a journal or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
