Merle, This all depends on how the writer (Thomas Merton?) defines "God" and how he suggests we can "...permit His love to consume us entirely and to unite us in Himself,...".
"God" could very well be the same or very similar to zen's experience of Buddha Nature, and "...consume us entirely..." could be the same or very similar to zen's dissolution of the illusion of self. "Contemplation" however means thinking about something, so I don't see where it could be the same as zazen (shikantaza - clear mind), although it could be somewhat similar to koan study - but I doubt it. What I know of contemplative meditation is just that you think very deeply (like in studying) the attributes of some spiritual, religious or moral idea. That is not like any zen meditation I know of. .Just my two-cents' worth...Bill! --- In [email protected], Merle Lester <merlewiitpom@...> wrote: > > > > any thoughts group?..merle > > > > > > >The Institute for Contemplative Practice > > > >Weekly Reflection for May 20, 2013 > > > > > >"God is a consuming Fire. He alone can refine us like gold, and separate us > >from the slag and dross of our selfish individualities to fuse us into this > >wholeness of perfect unity that will reflect His own Triune Life forever." > > > >Thomas Merton. New Seeds of Contemplation. (New York: New Directions Books > >1961) p. 70 > > > >Thought for the Day:  As long as we do not permit His love to consume us > >entirely and to unite us in Himself, the gold that is in us will be hidden > >by the rock and dirt which keep us separate from one another. > > > >New Seeds of Contemplation: 70 > > > >Contemplative Pause:  Throughout this week, pause, take a breath, and > >listen with your heart. How is God's love consuming you?   > > > > > >The Institute for Contemplative Practice > >contact@... > >Forward email > > > >This email was sent to bmlester@... by contact@... |  > >Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe⢠| > >Privacy Policy. > >The Merton Institute for Contemplative Living| 425 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.| > >Louisville| KY| 40202 > ------------------------------------ Current Book Discussion: any Zen book that you recently have read or are reading! Talk about it today!Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Zen_Forum/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
