Please feel free to listen to my music while you read. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!
Contemplation as a practice is one of what I call The Three Universal Prescriptions for connecting with sources of wisdom and compassion (Prayer and meditation are the other two). I like to think of contemplation as exploring and experiencing the ubiquitous nature of wisdom. The idea is that if you spend enough time with anything, looking deeply beyond your own conceptual confusion about how something is supposed to exist, then what you will inevitably find is wisdom.
Most of my personal work over the last 16 years has been about looking as deep as I can into Hiphop culture to see what lies at its core. One of my foundational theories is that Hiphop contains wisdom; just as much wisdom as any of the world's religions. If we are to discover the nature and truth of ourselves we have to go no further than our headphones.
Contemplation is best done after a short period of meditation. Why? Because when the mind is calm it is easier to be aware of its contents. In the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Contemplation is translated as ton gompa or "meaning meditation". We are attempting to extract a deeper meaning and understanding from a concept by placing our awareness on it and then resting meditatively to see what naturally arises from it.
The process of contemplation is similar to making freshly squeezed juice. First you take the raw product, a word, a phrase, a sentence or a stanza. Next you say the word, phrase etc. to yourself once and then let it reverberate throughout your mind and body. Once you can no longer hear the words, say it again. Its like throwing a rock in a lake. The rock makes concentric circles in the water that eventually dissipate but soon returns to stillness. Once the word loses its presence, say it again. Ok back to OJ. So that last part is like squeezing the juice from the fruit. Now we examine what has arisen from our squeezing. Let's look at our juice non judgmentally in terms of its color, its texture and its smell as a way of trusting that the inherent qualities of this fruit are good for me and appreciating what is naturally there. Just watch wordlessly at what arose from the phrase, stanza etc. and consider what it personally means to you. Lastly we drink the juice and let it provide sustenance to our bodies. In this last stage we rest with the feeling of what we have extracted, returning again to the practice of meditation. To say this a bit easier, we allow what we are contemplating to become the object of meditation for a period of time, then we return to either using the breath or other object of meditation or engage in a formless meditation practice.
I learned the practice of contemplation from a Catholic Priest who is also a practicing Buddhist. The Catholics call it lectio divina or divine reading. Lectio Divina has four stages:
......The first stage is lectio (reading) where we read the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us. Any passage of Scripture can be used for this way of prayer but the passage should not be too long.
The second stage is meditatio (reflection) where we think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us.
The third stage is oratio (response) where we leave our thinking aside and simply let our hearts speak to God. This response is inspired by our reflection on the Word of God.
The final stage of Lectio Divina is contemplatio (rest) where we let go not only of our own ideas, plans and meditations but also of our holy words and thoughts. We simply rest in the Word of God. We listen at the deepest level of our being to God who speaks within us with a still small voice. As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within. Obviously this transformation will have a profound effect on the way we actually live and the way we live is the test of the authenticity of our prayer.
There are many ways to contemplate. I suggest finding a practice that fits you're unique style.
Below are some lyrics from some of my favorite artists that I've contemplated over the years. Enjoy!
Ignorance is a poison and knowledge will nourish-KRS-ONE
It’s a paradox we call reality, so keeping it real will make you a casualty of abnormal normality-Talib Kweli
The only bridge ive ever burned along this legacy I dance is the one that linked the cities of prosperity and chance.-Aesop Rock
Your insanity is my clarity, not to mention convention is a great war weapon.-El-P
Its your brain against my mind-Q-Tip
Global mass awakening vs. debt enslavement engines
Racing neck and neck toward a photo finish ending. -Bigg Jus
They pray four times per day, they pray five. Who ways is strange when its time to survive? –MF DOOM
Study and be wise in these days of darkness - Killah Priest
I pray to you for the light you might give them, mother make them know that you're living with them, you begin them and end them in silence, frankly if they knew you they would understand violence –KRS, Higher Level
Wisdom is better than rubies, silver, or gold
It's higher in value plus more durable - LMNO
All over the world hearts pound with the rhythm
Fear not of men because men must die
Mind over matter and soul before flesh
Angels for the pain keep a record in time
which is passin and runnin like a caravan freighter
The world is overrun with the wealthy and the wicked
But God is sufficient in disposin of affairs
Gunmen and stockholders try to merit my fear
But God is sufficient over plans they prepared. - Mos Def
Took a picture of the truth and tried to develop it
Had proof, it was only recognized by the intelligent - Common
To know everything is to know nothing, nothing is zero so zeros my hero- Yaggfu Front
The pleasure I receive's beyond measure, because I believe I can control the weather. And I choose the sunshine, even though sometimes it rains. My head never hangs in the confines of solitude, I do what I gotta do to maintain my attitude of gratitude. For even breathing. What do you believe in? How long you've been self-deceiving that you're helpless, and life is dark and dismal. A thought that I don't resemble and I won't fall into. - Pep Love
Vibration is sound. Now who makes the sound? –Slug
Remember these good times and these hard times But it's like that, and that's the way it is And that's the way it was, but that ain't how it gottabe Reflect your mind, it works every time Cuz if I knew then what I knew now, I'd be doin' fine Reflect your mind, it works every time Cuz if you knew then what you know now, you'd be doin' fine- Aceyalone
I know that Yeezus was a mortal man & HOV ain't Jahova just a normal man you see we all lambs to the slaughter we all die but some die harder. - Oddisee
I just know that one day, that anything I needed I could mold get everything you want it ain't always good for the soul a mix of self worth, some help, a little control & I don't know the rest, good as mine is your guess the recipe ain't the best, to make it though is our quest & if you choose to except, the meaning of life is yes. – Oddisee
Rebellious to darkness, let there be light. Your very existence brings life to the shadows that dance on the walls in my mind. Creatures with no faces, no expressions, no colours, no emotions, wait Dimensioning, no mind of their own. These are slaves of mimic, see they mimic you. And they are your slaves for as long as you shine tears of sorrow, signs of grief, threaten your very existence. Let your thoughts remain calm and you will shine forever. – One Be Lo
Overly anxious can't just wait. To see when death is gonna pull you to your fate. It's inevitable there's no escape. There's no mistake. Every time a life is given it's another one you have to take. Then your electricity and and your energy's released. Born into another soul after your physical's deceased. May you forever rest in peace. Although your current is concurrent there is no deterrent. You will cease to be no more. The war has been won, the warrior is rested and your duty here is done. Just when you think you're having fun, it'll snatch you up and run. For a second you appreciate the sun. For a half a second you appreciate the stars. For a half a second you reflect on who you are and what you where. And in a flash it's all a blur. – Aceyalone
Harvested love only comes after rain. Even though it brings overwhelming strain. It falls from all skies so I can't complain. Without it, our growth would not be the same. Most people like to have someone to blame But it falls randomly, not taking aim. It makes up one half of the yin and yang. Without the water, you can't have the flame. Without the water, you can't have the flame. Some are content holding ground in their game. But when my soul steps to exit this frame I will be reincarnated as…rain. – Eyedea
Now it's all about purpose, progress, not perfection. Seeing beneath the surface, faith followed by action. I live it all now, with a hunger and a passion. And when I get stuck I let go and keep mashin'. And when I get stuck, I get still and just ask Him. For knowledge of His will, then my third eye transcends. – Gift of Gab
Control what I hold and of course be the boss of myself, no one else will bring my wealth. – Big Daddy Kane
My conversations with God always seem to leave him speechless. – Big K.R.I.T.
Hiphop Alive
Justin F. Miles is the founder of Hiphop Alive and pioneering practitioner, theorist and educator at the intersection of Hiphop culture, mindfulness and contemplative studies. He is the leading voice championing the use of Hiphop infused contemplative modalities to foster resilience, emotional intelligence, and community empowerment.