Changes

*3 : the [[act]] of regarding steadily

*3 : the [[act]] of regarding steadily

*4 : [[intention]], [[expectation]]

*4 : [[intention]], [[expectation]]

==Description==

==Description==

The [[word]] '''contemplation''' comes from the [[Latin]] root templum (from [[Greek]] temnein: to cut or divide). It means separating something from its [[environment]] and enclosing it in a sector. Contemplation is the [[Latin]] [[translation]] of Greek '[[theory]]' (theoria). In a [[religious]] sense it is usually a [[type]] of [[prayer]] or [[meditation]].

The [[word]] '''contemplation''' comes from the [[Latin]] root templum (from [[Greek]] temnein: to cut or divide). It means separating something from its [[environment]] and enclosing it in a sector. Contemplation is the [[Latin]] [[translation]] of Greek '[[theory]]' (theoria). In a [[religious]] sense it is usually a [[type]] of [[prayer]] or [[meditation]].

==Greek philosophy==

==Greek philosophy==

'''Contemplation''' was an important part of the [[philosophy]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato]; Plato thought that through contemplation the [[soul]] may [[ascend]] to [[knowledge]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_of_the_Good Form of the Good] or other [[divine]] Forms.[1] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotinus Plotinus] as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplatonism Neolatonic] philosopher also [[expressed]] contemplation as the most critical of components for one to reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henosis henosis]. To Plotinus the highest contemplation was to [[experience]] the [[vision]] of [[God]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monad Monad] or the One. Plotinus describes this [[experience]] in his works the Enneads. According to his student Porphyry, Plotinus stated that he had this experience of God four times.[2] Plotinus wrote about his experience in Enneads 6.9.xx....

Contemplation was an important part of the [[philosophy]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato Plato]; Plato thought that through contemplation the [[soul]] may [[ascend]] to [[knowledge]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form_of_the_Good Form of the Good] or other [[divine]] Forms.[1] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plotinus Plotinus] as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neoplatonism Neolatonic] philosopher also [[expressed]] contemplation as the most critical of components for one to reach [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henosis henosis]. To Plotinus the highest contemplation was to [[experience]] the [[vision]] of [[God]], the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monad Monad] or the One. Plotinus describes this [[experience]] in his works the Enneads. According to his student Porphyry, Plotinus stated that he had this experience of God four times.[2] Plotinus wrote about his experience in Enneads 6.9.xx....

 

==Eastern Orthodox Christianity==

==Eastern Orthodox Christianity==

In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Christianity Eastern Christianity] contemplation or theoria [[literally]] means to see [[God]] or to have the Vision of God.[3] As a [[technique]], theoria is [[expressed]] by the [[ascetic]] [[tradition]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm Hesychasm]. Hesychasm is [[continuous]] [[prayer]] that is to [[focus]] with [[absolute]] [[sincerity]], and to repeat in prayer, as a means to focus exclusively on the [[Triune]] God. It is to [[reconcile]] the [[heart]] and the [[mind]] into one thing (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nous nous]).[4] Contemplation in Eastern Orthodoxy is [[expressed]] in [[degrees]] as those covered in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Climacus St John Climacus]' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent Ladder of Divine Ascent]. The [[process]] of changing from the old man of sin into the new born child of God and into our true [[nature]] as [[good]] and [[divine]] is called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis theosis]. Each of these components are critical to the cultivation of theoria. One derives [[Spiritual]] [[Knowledge]] from theoria. One however can not derive theoria from spiritual knowledge. This is to say that once someone is in the [[presence]] of God then they can begin to properly [[understand]] and there "contemplate" God. This form of contemplation is to have and pass through an [[actual]] [[experience]] rather than a [[scientific]] [[understanding]] of [[theory]]. Whereas in [[science]] one uses theory to [[understand]] the natural world and its operations, one does the reverse with [[God]]. In science contemplation means one derives a [[explanation]] and then tests the "theory" (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosiology gnosiology]). Within the realm of Eastern Christianity theory is [[faith]] and one at first cultivates the [[virtues]] as an [[expression]] of [[faith]]. Once the virtues are cultivated the highest virtue is [[humility]]. Through humility one becomes [[Holy]]. God is humility and one becomes like [[God]]. This is the contemplation (living) of God. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia Holy Wisdom] of God is not [[knowledge]] but [[humility]].

In [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Christianity Eastern Christianity] contemplation or theoria [[literally]] means to see [[God]] or to have the Vision of God.[3] As a [[technique]], theoria is [[expressed]] by the [[ascetic]] [[tradition]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesychasm Hesychasm]. Hesychasm is [[continuous]] [[prayer]] that is to [[focus]] with [[absolute]] [[sincerity]], and to repeat in prayer, as a means to focus exclusively on the [[Triune]] God. It is to [[reconcile]] the [[heart]] and the [[mind]] into one thing (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nous nous]).[4] Contemplation in Eastern Orthodoxy is [[expressed]] in [[degrees]] as those covered in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Climacus St John Climacus]' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladder_of_Divine_Ascent Ladder of Divine Ascent]. The [[process]] of changing from the old man of sin into the new born child of God and into our true [[nature]] as [[good]] and [[divine]] is called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis theosis]. Each of these components are critical to the cultivation of theoria. One derives [[Spiritual]] [[Knowledge]] from theoria. One however can not derive theoria from spiritual knowledge. This is to say that once someone is in the [[presence]] of God then they can begin to properly [[understand]] and there "contemplate" God. This form of contemplation is to have and pass through an [[actual]] [[experience]] rather than a [[scientific]] [[understanding]] of [[theory]]. Whereas in [[science]] one uses theory to [[understand]] the natural world and its operations, one does the reverse with [[God]]. In science contemplation means one derives a [[explanation]] and then tests the "theory" (see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnosiology gnosiology]). Within the realm of Eastern Christianity theory is [[faith]] and one at first cultivates the [[virtues]] as an [[expression]] of [[faith]]. Once the virtues are cultivated the highest virtue is [[humility]]. Through humility one becomes [[Holy]]. God is humility and one becomes like [[God]]. This is the contemplation (living) of God. The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia Holy Wisdom] of God is not [[knowledge]] but [[humility]].