Christian contemplation in the context of "Mystical theology"

Christian mysticism is the tradition of mystical practices and mystical theology within Christianity which "concerns the preparation [of the person] for, the consciousness of, and the effect of [...] a direct and transformative presence of God" or divine love. Until the sixth century the practice of what is now called mysticism was referred to by the term contemplatio, c.q. theoria, from contemplatio (Latin; Greek θεωρία, theoria), "looking at", "gazing at", "being aware of" God or the divine. Christianity took up the use of both the Greek (theoria) and Latin (contemplatio, contemplation) terminology to describe various forms of prayer and the process of coming to know God.

Contemplative practices range from simple prayerful meditation of holy scripture (i.e. Lectio Divina) to contemplation on the presence of God, resulting in theosis (spiritual union with God) and ecstatic visions of the soul's mystical union with God. Three stages are discerned in contemplative practice, namely catharsis (purification), contemplation proper, and the vision of God.

Prayer in the Catholic Church is "the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." It is an act of the moral virtue of religion, which Catholic theologians identify as a part of the cardinal virtue of justice.

Prayer may be expressed vocally or mentally. Vocal prayer may be spoken or sung. Mental prayer can be either meditation or contemplation. The basic forms of prayer are adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication, sometimes abbreviated as A.C.T.S.

Quiet time is a regular individual session of Christian spiritual activities, such as prayer, private meditation, contemplation, worship of God, study of the Bible, or reading of a daily devotional. The term "quiet time" or "sacred time" is used by 20th-century Protestants, mostly evangelical Christians. Rick Warren points out that it has also been called "morning watch".

Billy Graham suggested that quiet time consists of three main elements: prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. He also mentioned that many Christians accompany these three elements with journaling. Practices vary according to denominational tradition: Anglican devotions, for example, will occasionally include the use of prayer beads, while Catholics use the term mental prayer and the practice was discussed in the works of John Cassian in the 5th century.

Hesychasm (/ˈhɛsɪkæzəm, ˈhɛzɪ-/) is a contemplative monastic tradition in the Eastern Christian traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches in which stillness (hēsychia) is sought through uninterrupted Jesus prayer. While rooted in early Christian monasticism, it took its definitive form in the 14th century at Mount Athos.