Everyone can be a contemplative. Everyone should ask for this gift. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that "Contemplative prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of the forgiven sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which he is loved and who wants to respond to it by loving even more".
Contemplative prayer is an immense gift from the Holy Spirit. We do not have to be a Saint Theresa of Avila or a Saint John of the Cross to receive this awesome gift.
What is contemplative prayer? The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that "Contemplative prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of the forgiven sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which he is loved and who wants to respond to it by loving even more. But he knows that the love he is returning is poured out by the Spirit in his heart, for everything is grace from God. Contemplative prayer is the poor and humble surrender to the loving will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2712).
We have seen how centering prayer and lectio divina are two preferred methods of prayer that dispose our soul to receive the gift of contemplative prayer. We have also considered the importance of openness to God, silence, stillness and solitude. Let us now continue our discussion by considering the importance of breath.
Prayer and meditation in Non-Christian eastern religions place a lot of importance on breath. We should not be reluctant in learning methods from other religious traditions if they can help us receive more fully the gift of contemplative prayer as Christians.
