Mindfulness aims to achieve mental tranquility; contemplation aims for no less than “union with Reality,” to use Underhill’s phrase. A reduction in mental distractions is a common benefit of contemplative practice, but it is not the goal. In fact, contemplation often demands that the practitioner accepts distractions in prayer, and even grows comfortable with them, rather than trying to eliminate them. The anonymous fourteenth-century author of The Cloud of Unknowing encourages us to live with distractions, as if looking over their shoulder to where “God is hidden in the dark cloud of unknowing.” Aiming only for freedom from distraction—that is, for pure attention—falls short of genuine contemplation, as it tethers success and failure to our own desired outcomes. As such, mindfulness reinforces the self at the center of the spiritual project, whereas the goal of contemplative prayer is the opposite.
The last time I dropped acid — which was more than 45 years ago — the first thought that occurred to me as the drug started to take effect was that I would have to spend the rest if the day dealing with being high. I decided then never to drop acid again. And I never have. I did take some psychedelics after that — mushrooms — but that experience was different. Acid always seemed inorganic. Mushrooms felt more natural. I have found that centering prayer is better than either.
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