Thrive and Awaken® Tip

When we usually contemplate something, we think about it. The mind wanders freely or focuses on a specific topic. You might contemplate your job, your relationships, or whether your life feels satisfying. This kind of contemplation stays largely at the level of thought.

Contemplative meditation moves beyond thinking and into direct experience. It invites a deeper state of receptivity.

Begin by choosing a topic to contemplate, such as life purpose or a recurring emotional pattern. Then enter meditation in a grounded, open-hearted, and clear-minded way. As the mind becomes quiet and spacious, you are no longer analyzing the topic. You are opening to a full-bodied experience related to it.

Why does this matter? The thinking mind mostly accesses what is already near the surface. Some memories are not immediately present, yet can be recalled when prompted. For example, you may not be thinking about the name of your high school, but you can retrieve it easily when asked.

Contemplative meditation creates the conditions for something deeper. It opens awareness to material that is not readily accessible even with prompting. This includes emotions, beliefs, and experiences that were never fully processed.

For example, you may notice that you become angry in certain situations and do not understand why. This is a powerful time to practice contemplative meditation. Begin with regular meditation, then gently ask, “Why do I keep getting angry in these situations?” After asking, return to stillness.

Rather than searching for an answer, you allow an experience to emerge. You may reconnect with an early memory or emotional state that shaped this reaction. By meeting it from a grounded and loving place, you bring compassion to an earlier version of yourself who did not yet have the skills or support to respond differently.

Contemplative meditation becomes a doorway. It allows old survival responses to be felt, understood, and released. From this space, healing unfolds naturally, opening the way to greater thriving and awakening.