Marilyn Perry's Cursory Conception of Contemplation

Contemplation is in-depth consideration in a state of rapt attention. To contemplate is to regard something or someone with steady concentration. Even the ancient philosopher Plato believed that contemplation is ascendant to the acquisition of knowledge, knowledge through which one might also acquire wisdom as well, being worthy of  such contemplation.

Contemplation was an important part of the philosophy of Plato. Plato thought that through contemplation, a person ascends to knowledge regarding what is good and other divine forms. As an indication of the significance of contemplation, between 1904 and 1912 Franz Kafka even wrote a collection of eighteen short stories. That short story collection by Franz Kafka is entitled Contemplation.

In Buddhism, the Amitayurdhyana Sutra (translation: Immeasurable Life Visualization Teaching) is focused on meditative visualization, i.e. contemplation. The Immeasurable Life Visualization Sutra contains a list of thirteen contemplations, in order, which roughly translated are:

Throughout recorded history there is extensive evidence of contemplation's importance, of contemplation among learned people, among insightful people who have sought knowledge, wisdom, revelation, and even enlightenment. Contemplating  contemplation with rapt attention can be an intellectually consequential, even spiritually revelatory, endeavor for people who aspire to awaken themselves.

Thank you for visiting this website, my personal website, and hopefully your enjoyment the information and content shared here publicly at www.marilynperry.com. Marilyn Perry | Tuesday, April 21, 2020