Contemplation and “Non-doing” in the Christian Tradition: The Case of John of Ruusbroec
Entangled Religions - Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of Religious Contact and Transfer July 3, 2023 DOI: 10.46586/er.14.2023.10222 (opens in new tab) via DOAJ
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA recurrent theme in contemplative practice is the need for outward solitude, which provides a framework for contemplation that can give way to a suspension of all efforts and a state of inner letting-be. In the Christian tradition, following the Biblical typology of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38–42), authors such as Clement of Alexandria, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian, and Gregory the Great interpret the state of 'non-doing' as essentially relational. This relational dimension, in which contemplation and letting-be are understood as a response to the initiative of the divine Other who is 'the origin' (Lat. principium), provides John of Ruusbroec with the basis to explain how action and non-doing (contemplation) can coalesce perfectly.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Christian contemplation John of ruusbroec Action and non-doing |
| Key finding | Argues that in the Christian tradition, the state of non-doing in contemplation is essentially relational, understood as a response to the divine Other, which allows action and contemplation to coalesce perfectly. |
Abstract
A recurrent theme in many forms of contemplative practice is the need to come to a state of outward solitude (i.e., being without distractions); this provides a framework for contemplation, which ultimately can give way to a suspension of all efforts, opening up a state of inner letting-be. This contribution explores these elements in the Christian tradition following the Biblical typology of Martha and Mary (Lk 10:38–42) with some leading authors (Clement of Alexandria, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian and Gregory the Great). A specific aspect of the Christian interpretation is that the state of ‘non-doing’ is essentially relational. This relational dimension, in which contemplation and the state of ‘letting-be’ are understood as a response to the initiative of the divine Other who is ‘the origin’ (Lat. principium), provides John of Ruusbroec with the basis to explain how action and non-doing (i.e., contemplation) can coalesce perfectly.