What happens in contemplation is that we move beyond doctrines and dogmas to calm inner experience of the same. When we move to the level of experience, we see that this self is only a  ¢â‚¬Å“radio receiver ¢â‚¬  and is not to be taken too seriously, for it is always changing stations and is filled with static and interference.

Someone who is faithful to contemplation quickly overcomes the illusion that my correct thinking, or my thinking more about something, can ever get me there. If that were so, every good Ph.D. would be a saint. You see, information is not the same as transformation.

Even good and correct thinking is always trapped inside my little mind, my particular culture, my form of education, my parental conditioning ¢â‚¬”all of which is good and all of which is bad too. That places all of the Great Mysteries inside my little world. So we should rightfully be much more humble about our own opinions and thoughts. After all, how could the Infinite ever be fully or rightly received by the finite?

Adapted from A Lever and A Place to Stand:  The Contemplative Stance, The Active Prayer, pp. 12-13

Richard Rohr