"John [of the Cross] taught that in contemplation God 'fires our souls in the spirit of love' and 'supernaturally instructs us in divine wisdom.'  Contemplation 'is knowledge and love together, that is, loving knowledge.'  Contemplation shares in God's own loving knowledge that purifies and transforms our human knowing and loving so that we know and love as God knows and loves.  We receive contemplation by opening ourselves to it, just as we receive sunlight into a room when we open the shutters on the windows.  The loving knowledge of God communicated to us in contemplation transforms us and unites us with God in love." -- Mary Jo Meadow