2022: A Contemplative Review as This Year Becomes Last Year

It is a challenge to write a contemplative review of any year, and 2022 is more of a challenge than usual.

Each year is filled with its own truths, in overwhelming, specific detail. 2022 is no exception. Parts of the year whizzed past as if blown by hurricane winds. I seem to recall something about a Winter Olympics and a few other sporting events. There were elections with unexpected results and the gradual recognition we live in a world of pandemics.

We seemed to talk more about climate change during 2022 than do much to affect it.

A significant part of the challenge in a contemplative review of 2022 is being contemplative. This is not simply the story of the economy or the political narrative during the year. There is more to the idea of a contemplative review than first meets our eyes.

We are not simply remembering what happened during the course of 2022. Our review is about remembering and reflecting. What questions and insights have we gained from our experiences this year?

It seems to me, as I begin to reflect on it, there are a few aspects of contemplative life which fit together in our review.

One thing we want to include is how we have lived contemplative life during the last twelve months. What is the story of our own contemplative practices in 2022? Also, in what ways is contemplative life growing and developing in us?

We also want to take a look around and see what we can discern about the state of contemplative life in general. Are there signposts for directions in which we would like explore during the year to come?

Are there dramatic changes waiting for us just beyond the horizon, or will this year simply become next year?

2022: How Is Contemplative Life Living Within Us?

Some of us seem to believe there is one correct, appropriate way of living contemplative life, and all others are wrong.

One of the many aspects of contemplative life which attract me is how it gives us life. It is not a matter of finding the right way and sticking to it.

In my life contemplative spirituality supports and encourages me as I explore and discover. The contemplative practices I follow open my eyes to tremendous possibilities. There are few rules about what or what not to do.

Listening and being open are two of the essential elements of contemplative practices for in my experience. The practices I follow are opportunities to take time to pause and listen. I sit still, close my eyes, and pay attention to the sacred stillness within me and in the world around me.

When I take time to pay attention to the spiritual life in the stillness I begin to feel it wrap its arms around me. There have been times this year when the closeness, the embrace of stillness has been palpable to me.

Of course, each day is different. Some days are more of a struggle. I believe spiritual life is still there with me. The more I take time to lean into its embrace, the more I can depend on it.

2022: How is Contemplative Life Growing Within Us?

Contemplative spirituality is not a game or a system in which we earn rewards as we continue playing.

The life of contemplative spirituality is not a contest, it is a relationship. As we commit time and openness to contemplative life, our relationship develops.

Spiritual life is not trying to trick us into giving up what we enjoy and making us dependent. It is the opposite.

As our relationship grows we begin to understand and appreciate contemplative spiritual life, and we learn to trust.

We begin to follow a meaningful practice and learn what spiritual life feels like. As our trust and appreciation grows, we learn to recognize where in our everyday lives spiritual life is drawing us. Our relationship is based in mutual attraction, not in all the ways we need to change our behavior.

As we continue following contemplative practices we begin to recognize how spiritual life has been living within us all along. We can be caught off guard by contemplative moments which are unrelated to the time we spend practicing.

Spiritual life is alive in us and in the world around us. We hear it drawing us to try new ways of putting our spiritual values into practice.

2022: What is the State of Contemplative Life in General?

Where were the places we caught glimpses, or more, of contemplative life during 2022? Some of contemplative life’s fingerprints on 2022 were hard to miss.

2022 was a year of turmoil; war, famine, pestilence, and death; economic insecurity and a closely contested election. I know contemplative life was at work in me strengthening my centered self. When our times become turbulent contemplative life holds us steady.

If we had seen where this relationship might take us, would we have taken our first step?

Where will we find ourselves in a year when next year becomes last year?

2022: Where are we drawn to explore during the year to come?

Even if we experience 2022 softly and smoothly becoming last year, there are changes waiting for us beyond the horizon.

Spiritual life, even the contemplative variety, is not inherently safe. I believe the purpose of contemplative practices is to help us see and become who we really are, our true selves.

We set out on a journey not knowing who we really are or where we are going. It is a journey of discovery, and we discover ourselves on each step. We explore places which make us most afraid, discovering why we are afraid to be true to ourselves.

Contemplative spiritual life does not command or demand we follow its orders. It draws us into its arms and embraces us as we are. Contemplative life holds us and whispers the truth in our ear.

Where is contemplative life most alive in us as 2022 becomes last year?

How has contemplative life become more real to us during 2022?

[Image by oatsy40]

Greg Richardson is a spiritual director in Southern California. He is a recovering assistant district attorney and associate university professor, and is a lay Oblate with New Camaldoli Hermitage near Big Sur, California. Greg’s email address is StrategicMonk@gmail.com.