Contemplation in Orthodox Spirituality

In Orthodox Spirituality, contemplation (በተመስጦ ማሰላሰል) is a deep form of prayer in which we focus our attention on God and God's presence in our lives. It is a state of being in which we are completely present to God, and in which our hearts are filled with God's love. Contemplation is not something that we can achieve through our own efforts. It is a gift from God, which is given to us through grace.

There are many different ways to contemplate. One common way is to use a short prayer, such as the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"). We repeat this prayer silently in our hearts, focusing our attention on the words and the meaning of the prayer. As we continue to pray, our minds may wander, but we gently bring them back to the prayer. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, we use a prayer rope to recite the phrases 'Egzio Meharene Kirostos' (meaning 'Lord, forgive us') and 'Kyrie Eleison' (meaning 'Lord, have mercy'). This prayer practice shares a similar contemplative nature with the Jesus prayer.

Another way to contemplate is to focus on a passage from the Scriptures (the Holy Bible), the teachings of the Church Fathers, or the life of the saints. We can read the passage slowly and carefully, reflecting on its meaning and how it applies to our lives. We can also try to visualize the act that is being described in the passage or to imagine ourselves present in the passage.

We can also contemplate on God's workings in nature and his self-revelation through Scripture However, it is important to contemplate on God’s works in the same way the Psalmist did, “ Say to God, ‘How awesome are Your works!’” ( Psalm 66:3).

Another way to contemplate is to simply sit in silence and focus on God's presence. We can take a few deep breaths. Then, we can simply sit quietly and be present to God. We may want to pray a short prayer at the beginning of our contemplation, asking God to open our hearts to his presence. As we sit in silence, we may experience different thoughts, feelings, and sensations. We simply observe these thoughts and feelings without judgment. We continue to sit in silence until we feel called to end our contemplation.

To begin contemplation, find a quiet place where you can be alone with God, sit in a comfortable position, take a few deep breaths, and relax your body. Choose a focus for your contemplation, and if your mind wanders, gently bring it back to your focus. Be patient and don't be afraid to ask for help from a priest or other experienced Christians.

Contemplation is a powerful way to grow in our relationship with God. It is a way to experience God's love and presence in a deep and meaningful way.