PART II: PRACTICAL

THE CONTEMPLATIVE AND ACTIVE LIVES
i. ST AUGUSTINE
(G) THE Two LIVES 15?
Passages contrasting them Typified by Lia and Rachel Doctrine on Two Lives.
(H) THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE THE BETTER 160
Martha and Mary Wisdom (contemplation) and knowledge (action).
CONTENTS
(J) CLAIMS OF THE Two LIVES 163
Those of active life imperative Three Lives: the leisured or contem- plative, the busied or active, and the mixed The last to be adopted in practice Warning against idleness in contemplative life.
(K) CONTEMPLATION OPEN TO ALL . 166
Promised to all who faithfully pursue course God commands Not for 'intellectuals' but 'little ones'.
2. ST GREGORY THE GREAT
INTRODUCTORY SKETCH OF THEORY 171
Definition of the Two Lives Exposition of theory from Horn, in Ezech. n. ii. Martha and Mary Lia and Rachel.
(G) THE Two LIVES 173
The active life necessary, the contemplative optional Only by exercising active life can one come to contemplative.
(H) THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE THE BETTER 174
Martha and Mary.
(J) CLAIMS OF THE Two LIVES 176
His conciliation of the mutual claims of the Two Lives on the individual is St Gregory's great contribution to the theory and practice of the spiritual life ( i ) The union of the Two Lives should be aimed at (2) Pastors of souls must exercise both lives (3) Why pastors may not neglect either life (4) External works should be undertaken by contemplatives with reluctance (5) Contemplatives should accept office when called upon to do so (6) In dearth of workers contem- platives should undertake active work (7) Periods of retirement are necessary for those employed in active works (8) Contemplative life aided by admixture of active (9) For contemplation tranquillity of mind is necessary (10) Conciliation of contemplative life with external works (11) A true 'mixed life* the best (12) The contemplative life as actually lived (13) Reminder to contemplatives of their indebted- ness to active livers.
(K) CONTEMPLATION OPEN TO ALL 186
Homilies on contemplation preached in Lateran Basilica to all comers 'Pastoral Rule' expects all pastors to exercise contemplation Dangers in contemplation for restless minds But the active life alone unsatisfying.
3. ST BERNARD
(G) and (H): nothing.
(J) CLAIMS OF THE Two LIVES 191
Treatment substantially same as St Gregory's Purely contemplative life impracticable Mixed life best Contemplation generates active zeal Spiritual marriage leads to spiritual fecundity in winning souls for God Alternations of both Lives.
(K.) CONTEMPLATION OPEN TO ALL 197
Certainly to all monks probably to all devout souls.
CONTENTS Ixiil
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4. SUMMARY THE CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE 201
History of thought on contemplative life not yet written Outline sketched here Plato and Aristotle Philo Clement and Origen Cassian- St Augustine Julianus Pomerius St Gregory Gluny St Bernard and Richard of St Victor St Thomas Ruysbroeck St Teresa St John of the Cross Bp Hedley Modern conception of contemplative life different from traditional Western conception formulated by St Gregory and maintained until sixteenth century Question depends on meaning attached to following terms: (i) 'Contem- plation 5 St John of the Cross thereon Two grades of contemplation (2) 'Contemplative prayer' (3) *A contemplative' (4) 'Contem- plative state' (5) 'Contemplative life' The sum of the matter: contemplation not a thing out of reach The four elements of a well- balanced personal religion.
APPENDIX
(1) NATURE ECSTASY 227
William James' experiences under nitrous oxide Tennyson Bucke Richard Jefferies' Story of My Heart.
(2) INTELLECTUAL ECSTASY OF PLOTINUS 232
Extracts from passages translated by Montgomery and Inge St Augustine's estimate,
ADDITION TO APPENDIX 237
Further consideration of natural contemplation Plotinus Mahom- medan mystics.