We are living contemplatively when:

 

We intentionally engage in activities intended to deepen our relationships with ourselves, God, others and nature.

We are conscious that our decisions, actions and use of time affect each of our relationships.

We see how our relationships are all interrelated and integrated and see God in each of them.

We take personal responsibility for each of our relationships.

We understand that our relationships our integral to reaching our life's goals.

We are not as easily distracted by meaningless activity; our active life flows from our contemplative nature.

We see through "the illusion of separateness;" acknowledge whatever we do that alienates us from our true self, each other, nature and God; and live with the recognition that "we are already one."

Our spiritual/contemplative life is our active daily life.

We regularly spend time in silent reflection, solitude, and other contemplative practices.

We are more concerned with the issues confronting humanity and less with the mundane concerns of daily life.

We experience the freedom, joy and love that can only come from grounding ourselves in our relationships.


© 2009 The Merton Institute for Contemplative Living

Our vocation is not simply to be, but to work together with God in the creation of our own life, our own identity, our own destiny. We are free beings and sons of God. This means to say that we should not passively exist, but actively participate in His creative freedom, in our own lives, and in the lives of others, by choosing the truth. To put it better, we are even called to share with God the work of creating the truth of our identity.

Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation
 

 

Frank Peabody, artist
The Merton Institute Board

 

  


   
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