Focal Point

Any notion that contemplatives believe that they are somehow not connected to the rest of the world is not true; no one who is serious about living contemplatively may consider themselves so. Neither are these, who have experienced God directly, hateful of the world. These are both myths and misguided judgements.

That which brings people to the contemplative life includes: a sensitivity toward human values, an openness to other people, a capacity to love deeply, and the capacity to personally be connected, that is, to care. In this we can witness true growth in people as they move from a state of defensiveness to openness. Sadly, it is true that some contemplatives can become pathological, but then again so do people who are not contemplative. Contemplation is not a cure-all. True contemplatives are simply highly sensitive people who have become deeply aware of their true self, their true identity, and their true vocation as this plays out directly. These know that preaching and teaching are the work of others. This person comes to know beyond a doubt that God will bring them to their work in due time if they will but attend to it; there is no need to force the issue. And it is their contact with the few others who enter their life that they are able to share directly with the world's struggles as it faces its momentous problems of its day.