Practicing Active Contemplation: A Challenge for Modern Day Rhythms
Many of us struggle to rest. Busy with work and parenting, stressful family situations and endless social opportunities lead us to feel like rest is the last thing on our to-do list. Yet, somewhere deep inside, we know this lifestyle isn’t sustainable. There’s a yearning in our hearts for true, deep rest – something that won’t just happen after one night sleep or by putting our phone away for an evening.
It requires a shift in our priorities. It requires us to stop pushing rest to the side as yet another thing we will “do” when we have time. It is time to build our lives on rest, instead of on productivity and busyness.
This shift is illustrated in the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus visits the sisters and Martha rushes around getting things done, while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, allowing her body, mind and soul to be refreshed in His presence. Jesus calls Martha out, says these words “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.”
Only one thing is needed: to sit at the feet of Jesus. This is the center, the foundation of living a life of rest.
But what does that mean?
Many saints have written about what it means to live a life of active contemplation. Contemplation, simply defined, is peaceful awareness of God’s presence within our hearts. Active contemplation means that we are cultivating this practice, not just in our morning prayer time, but throughout our activities of the day. In the words of St. Francis De Sales: “A thousand times in the day offer your soul to Him; fix your inward eyes upon His sweetness…” (Introduction to the Devout Life, Part II, Ch. 13)
If we understand true deep rest as the refreshment of body, mind and soul in God’s presence, then active contemplation is how we build a life that is centered on rest.
It’s not a quick fix. Most of us keep our minds and hearts occupied with tasks, entertainment, worries and a thousand other things. But the rest we crave will only come if we slowly build our mental and spiritual capacity for being aware of God’s presence. This continual return to Jesus is the remedy for our fractured, tired lives: “No matter what state we are in, if we let ourselves go [to Jesus], we shall rest in the hollow of his neck… that’s where he adds, ‘I will be your rest.’” - Catherine Doherty, “Thoughts on the Little Mandate”, 1969 unpublished
Growing in the awareness that God is with us in our immediate circumstances will help us to see what things in our lives keep us stuck in physical, mental and spiritual exhaustion. Saying ‘yes’ to active contemplation will mean that we have to say ‘no’ to other things – constant noise and stimulation, over-committing and letting others dictate how we spend our time. This is lived out differently based on your vocation and state of life but it begins by recognizing moments that we can choose to turn to Jesus instead of something else.
As a young mother, practicing active contemplation means carving out moments in my day to rest with Jesus– five minutes on the couch after my toddler goes down for a nap, or choosing silence instead of a podcast while I take my weekly drive to a local farm for eggs. These are moments where I could be doing something else, but instead I take a moment to find peace and journey inwards with Christ.
It takes time to build the mental muscles for contemplation. I’d like to leave you with a few resources to help you on this journey to rest:
- St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross wrote a beautiful essay called “Ways to Interior Silence” that gives a very practical outline for how to check in with God throughout the day. This Substack newsletter shares her words for free; morning, midday, and evening.
- If you are unsure how to quiet your mind, I’d offer these guided audio mediations, designed by Dr. Gregory Bortteo to help you grow in awareness of God’s presence. Start with “Sacramental Pause.”
- My recently published book, Rediscovering Rest, is a 30-day devotional meant to help you begin the journey of active contemplation. You can find a copy here.
