Chapter X — Part
2
Shows forth the First Mode of true Contemplation.
NOW, therefore, hear and understand;
To the good and inward man, who enters within himself, free and empty of all earthly things, opening and uplifting his heart reverently towards the Eternal Goodness of God, there is thrown wide the Heaven which was shut, and from the Face of Divine Love there blazes down a sudden Light, as it were a lightning-flash; and in that Light there speaks the Spirit of Our Lord, in this opened and loving heart, and says: "I am yours, and you are Mine: I dwell in you, and you dwell in Me."
In this meeting of the Light with the stirring of God, is so great a joy and delight of the soul and body in his uplifted heart, that the man knows not what has befallen him, nor how he may endure it. And this is called "The Song of Joy," which has no words, and which no man knoweth, save him who has conceived it in his heart.
And this it is which lives in the loving heart that is opened to God, and closed to all created things.
And thence comes "Joyfulness," and the same is a heartfelt love, and a burning flame of devotion, for ever reverently turned to God in thankfulness and praise.
And he who conceives this sweetness, who abides therein, and yet seeks therein his own delight, without thanking and praising God for it, is utterly at fault.
This is the first and lowest mode, whereby God inwardly declares Himself in the Contemplative Life; and so I will show forth a homely parallel of it for those who have not experienced it.
Take then a mirror, curved like a bowl, and, having laid therein some dry and inflammable matter, hold it up to the rays of the sun. Then will the dry matter be enkindled and burn by reason of the heat of the sun and the curving of the mirror.
So, and in like manner, in your inward man, if you have your heart alive, and open, and reverently uplifted to God, the Light of His Grace will shine therein, will purify your conscience, and will burn up all your faults in the Fire of His Love.
Lo, this is the lowest mode of the Contemplative Life, which is followed in purity of heart, and in tender love, with thankfulness and praise, with devotion and longing, in the Presence of the Holy Majesty of God.