Word: contemplation

Associations

Contemplation means deep thinking or careful consideration about something. It often involves reflecting on thoughts or feelings in a quiet way.

• Example 1: "She sat in contemplation at the lake, thinking about her future." This shows someone taking time to think seriously and quietly.
• Example 2: "After much contemplation, he decided to change careers." Here, it emphasizes a thoughtful decision-making process.
• Example 3: "The monk spent hours in contemplation, focusing on his spiritual journey." This indicates a deep, reflective state often linked to spirituality.

The word has a synonym "reflection." However, reflection often suggests looking back on past events, while contemplation can also mean thinking about future possibilities or abstract ideas.

Substitution

If you want to express similar ideas, you might use:

• "meditation" which generally refers to a practice of focused thought, often for relaxation or spiritual purposes.
• "introspection," which focuses on looking inward at one's thoughts and feelings.
• "rumination," which often implies being stuck in thought about something problematic or troubling.

Changing the word can alter the nuance; for instance, "meditation" may suggest a more structured or repetitive practice compared to "contemplation."

Deconstruction

The word "contemplation" comes from Latin "contemplatio," which breaks down into:

• "con" meaning "with" or "together"
• "templum" meaning "temple" or "sacred place"

This suggests a gathering of thoughts in a sacred or important mental space. The idea is that you're not just thinking, but you're entering a thoughtful state similar to a temple of the mind.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a time when you engaged in contemplation? What were you thinking about?
• How might your thinking change if you were contemplating a decision versus reflecting on a past experience?
• In what situations might you need to engage in contemplation, and how does it help you?