Vocal prayer, meditation and contemplation
Vocal prayer uses words and embodied attention; meditation engages thought, imagination, desire, and feeling; contemplation is a receptive, loving attention to God. These forms are not a competitive ladder of personal worth. A simple prayer said faithfully can belong to deep holiness. Practice, silence, Scripture, and a sustainable rhythm help, but contemplative prayer is not something manufactured by technique.
Follow the sources
An original library introduction, with sources for further study. This is a starting point rather than a complete treatment or a finished formation lesson.