Welcome to The Contemplative Life. The Contemplative Life is a website and blog devoted to exploring modern contemplative spirituality in all of its diverse forms.
The world’s mystics, across time and from each religious tradition, have taken a journey, which ultimately leads from the surface of consciousness to the Source of consciousness, and from selfhood to selflessness. This journey to the Source – to God, the Godhead, Brahman, Oneness, Purusa, Pure Consciousness, Void/Emptiness, Original Nature, Nibbana/Cessation, Al-Haqq, Eyn Sof, Tao, Ground of Being – is spoken of as life-giving, transformative, and even as the ultimate goal of individual existence. While various scriptures, theologies, rituals, and traditions can color an adherent’s understandings of the spiritual life in unique ways, the mystics insist that it is this experiential connection which can truly transform a human being. Following the lead of the world's great contemplatives, here we will explore the experiential and meditative side of religion.