Spiritual Guide Which Disentangles the Soul - Michael de Molinos - Second Advertisement

Continuing with the distinction between Meditation and Contemplation.

Prayer is elevation of the Mind to God.

In order to converse with God in prayer, the Soul must raise itself above all 'creatures' (in this case I believe he means worldly attachments).

If the conversation is about consideration of the mysteries of Faith, to know the truth about them, reasoning out the particulars, weighing the circumstances, in order to excite the Will to become more faithful, more pious, more Christlike, that is Meditation.

If the soul already knows the truth (either through Meditation or through enlightenment/mystical experience) and fixes the eyes of the Mind on the demonstrated truth, with quietness and silence, without further need of proof or reasonings, and simply delights in it, that is Contemplation (or Prayer of Faith, or Prayer of Rest, or Internal Recognition, or Recollection).

Once Contemplation has been reached, one should cut off all reasonings and rest at amorous attention. Reject all imaginations that present themselves, calming the Mind in that Divine Presence, recollecting the Memory, fixed on God. Be content with a general and confused knowledge. Will to love God.

When the Soul attains to this state, it ought to retreat within itself, to its Center, where the Image of God is. There there is silence, forgetfullness of all things, perfect resignation, hearing and talking to God hand to hand.