Part II, Chapter V

Of Considerations, Which Form the Second Part of Meditation

After the act of the imagination follows meditation, or the act of the understanding, which consists in making reflections and considerations, in order to raise up our affections to God and heavenly things. Hence meditation must not be confounded with study or other thoughts or reflections which have not the love of God or our spiritual welfare for their object; but something else, as, for example, to acquire learning and knowledge, to write or dispute. Having, then, as I have already said, confined your mind within the limits of the subject on which you desire to meditate, either by means of the imagination, if the matter be sensible, or otherwise by a simple proposal of it, begin to form considerations on it according to the models I have proposed to you in the foregoing meditations. Should you relish the fruit of any one of them, occupy yourself without going further, like the bees, who never quit the flower so long as they can extract any honey from it. But if, upon trial, you succeed not with one consideration, according to your wishes, proceed to another, calmly, tranquilly, without hurrying yourself or fatiguing your mind.

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