Contemplation

My whole being desires you … Your constant love is better than life itself, and so I will praise you. … I will give you thanks as long as I live … My soul will feast and be satisfied … all night long I think of you … I cling to you. Selected from Psalm 63:1-8

It reaches out beyond all human feelings. It is neither the sound of the voice nor the movements of the tongue nor articulated words. The soul, bathed in light from on high, no longer uses human speech, which is always inadequate. Like an overabundant spring, all feelings overflow and spring forth towards God at the same time. In this short moment, it says so many things that the soul, once it has recovered itself, could neither express nor go over them in its memory.
John Cassian

Columba went to seek a place remote from men and fitting for prayer.
Adamnan

Cuthbert dwelt (at Lindisfarne) also according to Holy Scripture, following the contemplative amid the active life, and he arranged our rule of life which we composed then and which we observe to this day along with the rule of St. Benedict.
Life of Cuthbert by an anonymous monk of Lindisfarne

Cuthbert finally entered into the remoter solitude he had so long sought, thirsted after, and prayed for. He was delighted that after a long and spotless active life he should be thought worthy to ascend to the stillness of Divine contemplation.
Bede

There is a contemplative in all of us
almost strangled but still alive
who craves quiet enjoyment of the Now
and longs to touch the seamless garment of silence
which makes us whole.
Alan P. Torey

Lord, you are my island, in your bosom I rest
You are the calm of the sea, in that peace I lie
You are the deep waves of the ocean, in their depths I stay
You are the smooth white strand of the shore, in its swell I sing
You are the ocean of life that laps my being
In you is my eternal joy
Attributed to Columba