The following Bible verses on “the contemplative life” below are from the RSV:


God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. –James 4:6

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind. –Colossians 2:18

Looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. –Hebrews 12:2

For God alone my soul waits in silence. –Psalm 62:5

Be still, and know that I am God. –Psalm 46:10

When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. –Matthew 6:6

After the fire a still small voice. –1 Kings 19:12

King David went in and sat before the Lord. –2 Samuel 7:18

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.” And he stared at him in terror, and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” –Acts 10:1-4

Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. And he became hungry and desired something to eat; but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance and saw the heaven opened, and something descending, like a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth. In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. And there came a voice to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” –Acts 10:9-13

We all, with unveiled face, beholding (Lat. contemplatio) the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. –2 Corinthians 3:18

I John, your brother, who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet. –Revelation 1:9-10

Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. –Acts 2:2

Who makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire. –Hebrews 1:7

A spirit glided past my face; the hair of my flesh stood up (goosebumps). –Job 4:15

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The Cloud of Unknowing. Paulist Press, 1981.

Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God.

A. W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God.

Thomas Dubay, Fire Within, ch. 14: “Locutions and Visions.”