Donald James Giacobbe

Christian Contemplation Simplified: Opening the Heart and Mind to Divine Love Donald James Giacobbe

Publisher Marketing: "Christian Contemplation Simplified" is a condensed version of the 568-page book titled Christian Meditation Inspired by Yoga and "A Course in Miracles." This concise 212-page book is a beginner's manual in which you learn how to practice meditation as a doorway to contemplation. One difference between these two books is that this shorter version introduces a beginner's form of meditation called "Progressive Meditation" as a helpful preparation for experiencing contemplation. The word "meditation" is defined as directing the mind continuously toward one thought. This focusing brings about receptivity to the Holy Spirit and allows you to let go of distracting thoughts. The purpose of the meditation techniques is to prepare you for entering contemplation. Contemplation is an overshadowing of the Holy Spirit in which the mind becomes still without needing a focusing object. Through your practice of wordless contemplation, the Holy Spirit can gradually lead you to a greater degree of integration and unification that will transform you. Your goal is to open to divine love and allow that love to flow through you to others. This experience of divine love may also be called the "divine embrace," a personal encounter with the divine within. Achieving this goal of the divine embrace involves inviting the Holy Spirit not only into your mind, but into all aspects of yourself. The divine presence is embracing you even now, but you can only become consciously aware of the divine love within you by removing inner obstacles that are blocking your awareness. To get you started, this book offers you an optional 28-day schedule for you to make a commitment to your inner spiritual growth. The techniques provided here will help build a solid foundation for making your journey of transformation.