While every soul is called to a unique vocation, each is encouraged to embrace a contemplative life within their state of life. In Solitude and Silence, Thomas à Kempis demonstrates how all Christians can grow spiritually through contemplation—the dedication of one’s entire being to Christ.
The Solace and Support of the Presence of Christ
Wherever you go and whatever you do, let Christ be present with you. Abide always in His holy company, and seek His wise counsel and advice before you make any decision or undertake any task. And beware that you do not stray from Him or offend Him in any way. For if you separate yourself from the one who is the Prince of Peace, what peace may you then expect to enjoy?
Ambitious thoughts and immoderate elation and love of earthly pleasures and enjoyments all serve to dull the vision of the mind and to cloud the eyes of the heart. The person who permits himself to be rendered dull and blind by the illusions of this passing world ceases to see the Lord Jesus, either enthroned in glory with the Father or as a tender babe in the presence of His immaculate Virgin Mother in the stable.
Those who seek consolation and diversion in material and worldly things soon lose their taste for that which is spiritual, in the same way that a person who indulges in coarse food or wine loses the ability to appreciate that which is fine. To such a person, devotion and contemplation will began to seem insipid and tedious. One form of desire and love always drives out another one, which is (so to speak) its rival. Thus, conversely, it happens that the person who seeks his delight and satisfaction in spiritual things alone will soon come to disdain and abhor all worldly and fleshly allurements.
The Life of Christ and of the Saints Was Not of This World
The life of Christ goes before us as a radiant beacon and example of virtue. All the saints also present us with wonderful exemplars, for they all emulated Christ in their own particular way and setting. We see that Christ, together with all the saints, was not fascinated by the desire for fine or fashionable clothes, nor gold or silver, nor precious stones, nor abundance of wealth. Not one of the saints was devoted to extravagant feasting, or the pleasures of the flesh, or human popularity.
Indeed, the comforts and delights of the body could not seduce their hearts; nor perfumes and scents capture their nostrils; nor could visible beauty enslave their eyes. For they all realized, both by divine illumination and by natural wisdom, that the pleasures and joys of this world all pass quickly, together with earthly life itself. Our hope for eternal and substantial joys is, therefore, not here but in the realm which lies beyond this life. They all perceived the
vanity of earthly pleasures and the madness and foolishness to which the lusts of the flesh so easily give rise. Of these, it is much better to be silent than to speak about them, or even to think about them! For merely reflecting upon or recalling the pleasures of the senses can be enough to pollute and distract the spirit and to damage the purity of one’s innermost heart.
The Peace and Tranquility of Those Who Choose the Contemplative Life
You who have chosen the contemplative life are indeed blessed, for you have spurned the tumult and snares of this deceptive world and fled to the protection of the Lord Christ. There, beneath the shadow of His wings, you will find peace and repose. You have indeed chosen wisely in determining to live your life directed to Christ alone, and concerning yourself with how you appear before Him only.
If you love Christ and the blessed Mother of Christ, and if you follow diligently the example of the saints who similarly loved Christ and His dear Mother, no other love will be able to enslave you or deceive you or capture your heart. Neither the cares of the flesh nor poverty of material goods nor burdensome labor nor solitude and silence shall be difficult to you. On the contrary, in loving Jesus and doing all things for love of Jesus, all things will become delightful!
The Secret Ark of the Heart
My friend, I urge you to fashion for yourself an enclosure or cloister inside your heart so that—wherever you happen to be or whatever you happen to be doing—you have a place of solitude hidden within yourself.
Build this interior chamber of solitude like the ancient ark of Noah so that whatever floods of water this wicked and inconstant world may rain upon you, you shall remain always safe and dry. Think of John the Baptist, who stood upon the banks of the river Jordan and raised his eyes to see Christ coming to him. You, similarly, should stand on the banks of the turbulent and perilous river of this world and raise your vision to Jesus! The ark which you build in your heart should have but one entrance so that you may guard it diligently. Let Christ enter in, but take care to shut out the devil and his multitude of minions.
For the wicked devil is the incessant enemy of all those who are good or who aspire to become good. And he is particularly envious and inimical to those who pursue the contemplative life. The more one progresses in the life of the spirit, the more bitterly does the devil attack. Let us arm ourselves against his fulminations and his fury. And may we know the strong protection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
ooo
This article is taken from a chapter in Solitude and Silence: The Cloister of the Heart by Thomas à Kempis which is available from TAN Books.
