From Contemplation to Action

Contemplation is a spiritual process involving long, thoughtful, steady, serious, and attentive consideration or observation in order to achieve closer unity with God and to discover and understand God's will for the contemplative. Contemplation gives rise to activity, and activity, in turn, gives rise to more contemplation. The result of contemplation is often called discernment, seeing clearly what is at first not very clear or obvious, understanding what is not immediately obvious, resulting in accuracy of spiritual perception. Divine discernment is contemplation in action; it results in insight, inspiration, and an awareness of inner truth upon which one must act. While there are countless models of contemplation leading to action, the ninth-century BCE prophets Elijah and Elisha are the examples used in this book. Both are seers, messengers, and heralds of the LORD. They appear in activity when they are needed, and they disappear into solitude and silence when they are not. It is refreshing in a world in which we are battered by the cacophony of sounds, social media, and constantly interacting with other people to find a work that advocates silence and quiet contemplation. The Elijah-Elisha narratives are a perfect vehicle modelling the value of filtering out all distractions and striving instead to listen for God's voice and intention. The format of this volume allows an easy step through the stories and challenges the reader to take the time to consider, pray, and journal about his or her experience with the text. It achieves its goal of demonstrating the interaction between contemplation and activity in one's spiritual life.--Victor H. Matthews, Dean of the College of Humanities and Public Affairs, Missouri State UniversityIf you seek spiritual transformation in your life, choose a setting of solitude, and delve into the rich contemplative exercises Boyer has provided. But beware, Boyer explains contemplation and action are non-dualistic and reciprocal in nature; therefore, the reader must act on the spiritual discernment one receives. This action grounded in Spirit then leads back to more contemplation. Let Boyer's reflections on the lives of Elijah and Elisha facilitate this process in your life.--Matthew Ver Miller, Licensed Psychologist and Board Certified Coach Mark G. Boyer--a well-known author--has been writing books on biblical spirituality for thirty years. He has written fifty-seven spirituality-based volumes that prompt the reader to recognize the divine in everyday life. This is his seventeenth Wipf and Stock title.