Key Characteristics of a Contemplative Mindset

• Thoughtful & Reflective: To be contemplative involves more than just thinking; it is a specific method of awareness.

• Introspective: Looks inward to understand feelings, thoughts, and self.

• Observant: Pays deep, attention to the world and inner life, noticing what others may miss.

• Seeks Stillness: Values solitude and quiet to listen and be present, letting go of distractions

• Receptive Presence: It is about being fully present to the "now" without judgment or immediate analysis.

• Inner Stillness: Contemplatives often practice "stilling the house", quieting internal mental chatter to listen for deeper insights.

• Holistic Knowing: Emphasizes a heart-centered understanding where the mind and senses are open to unmediated reality.

• Spiritual Union: In religious traditions, it is the process of "resting in God" or achieving a mystical awareness of the divine.