Contemplation as a gateway
- Frantisek Strouhal
- Jan 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 27
Contemplation is the key for prayer, art, and ethics, leading to a renewed humanity free from self-centred habits. It offers a way to live truthfully and lovingly in a world driven by financial systems, advertising, and chaotic emotions. Learning contemplative practices is revolutionary, providing the key to seeing the world with freedom and clarity.
First, contemplation serves as the gateway to a revitalized humanity that can perceive the world and others with freedom. True freedom lies in transcending self-absorption, acknowledging that life extends beyond oneself. Without freedom from our own ego, any form of external freedom remains incomplete. When self-centeredness dictates our thoughts and actions, our existence becomes predictable, revolving solely around self-preservation and validation. To attain genuine spiritual freedom, one must break free from the bounds of their ego-centric mindset.
The foundation of prayer is contemplation, deepening our connection with the divine. Rather than mere recitation of words, true prayer stems from a reflective state that opens the door to meaningful communication with God. By engaging in contemplation, individuals move beyond the surface level of rituals and clichés to cultivate an authentic conversation with the divine.
Contemplation acts as the antidote to the chaotic and deceptive world crafted by financial frameworks and marketing strategies. It allows us to gain control over our fleeting emotions and thoughts, rather than being controlled by them. Through contemplation, one learns to observe and protect their inner landscape from the influences of the ego. By fostering a state of silence and reflection, we can cultivate a sense of peace that transcends intellectual capacity, safeguarding our minds and hearts.
When feeling hurt or agitated, let’s reflect on the source of these emotions by asking ourselves, “Which aspect of me is experiencing this?” The offended or agitated feelings stem from what is known as the false self, a construct largely shaped by the ever-changing nature of our minds, thus ultimately an illusion. Let’s take a moment to explore the roots of these emotions to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our reactions.
From Frantisek Strouhal and Chantal Robert
'Contemplation as a Gateway', simply as a title, sounds so much more inviting, so less confrontational, and much closer to the mysteries of reality, than potential alternative titles -- like 'Personal Prayer in Action' or 'The Power of Positive Thinking'.
For many Western hemisphere folk, and for many millennia, giving a 'God' human qualities helped them to establish Communication Gateways. But what's Human about a 'Ground of all Being' / 'Creator ' / 'Divine Source of Light & Love'? These Gateways to Universal Consciousness are surely limited by Human Words and Word-Pictures. Words throughout history, when translated or interpreted by other human beings, have often proven to be dangerous to life on Planet Earth.
In my experience, wiping the everyday…