The First Degree Of Prayer Or Mystical Theology. THIS word is much used in the holy Scriptures, and means simply an attentive and reiterated thought, proper to produce good or evil affections.
Meditation therefore is made as well for evil as for good.
Every meditation is a thought, but every thought is not meditation. And be this kind of thought as attentive as it may, it can never bear the name of meditation, but should simply be called thought. In fine, thoughts and study may be upon any subject, but meditation, in our present sense, has reference only to those objects whose consideration tends to make us good and devout. So that meditation is no other thing than an attentive thought, voluntarily reiterated or entertained in the mind, to excite the will to holy and salutary affections and resolutions. The holy Word explains in a truly admirable manner, and by an excellent similitude, in what holy meditation consists.