Ancient Greek and Christian Understanding of Contemplation in Terms of a Resonant Attitude Towards the World

Abstract

In line with the German sociologist Hartmut Rosa, it is prayer in religion that enables man to establish a resonant attitude towards the world. Since Christianity knows different forms of prayer, the authors limit themselves to contemplation since it is the listening/seeing and answering that is the key to a resonant attitude. In order to better understand contemplation, the authors first present its meaning in the ancient Greek context and then in the Christian tradition, where they highlight three forms in particular: contemplative reading, Ignatian contemplation and contemplation of the presence of God. Both resonance and contemplation have in common a response/resonance with the other (the Other), which transcends the human being and enables him/her to see and live a new wholeness and to find the meaning of life.