I have come to this book due to my general interest in contemplation, yet I was aware upon picking it up that this would be a title mostly focused on the practice and thought of contemplation in Christianity. I am glad to have been more informed, and those with an interest in this particular focus would thoroughly enjoy this title.
I appreciate learning the philosophical approaches to contemplation more. This is a well-researched and written book, and Hart’s writing is objective but does not lack character.

Contemplation: The Movements of the Soul, by Kevin Hart, is part of the No Limits series. Of the five or six books I've read in the series, this is probably the only one I personally got less out of. That isn't a negative about the book so much as it is a statement about what it is compared to what I had hoped for.

I know that, especially in western society, contemplation is associated with religious thought. I had hoped this volume would be more expansive, more inclusive rather than paying lip service to non-religious practices. Hart does cover much of the pre-Christian ideas of contemplation, and does so fairly well, but always seems to bring it back to Christian practice as the default and the more closely perfect form and purpose.

I've studied Christian contemplative thought and found these aspects of the book to be quite good. The disappointment, for me, was in Hart's inability to truly treat alternative forms as equal and not as inferior. I don't believe that was his intent, and he probably feels he didn't do so. No doubt part of my reading is because I was hoping for something that isn't here, but whether intentional or not, the condescending tone is present.

For the above reasons I will heartily recommend this to readers interested primarily in religious contemplative practice but less enthusiastically to those wanting to see their own non-religious use represented. It is excellent at covering what is at the core of any act of contemplation, just be aware it will always be brought around to Christian use as a more ideal form and use.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

I teach meditation and write books about yoga philosophy and meditation so i really appreciate this book. Very well written and I will certainly promote it. That said, the title and cover are not a great hook.

Words like "meditation" and "mindfulness" are really eye-catching to people. The idea that the practice of contemplation is related to but different from "meditation" is important, but the cover doesn't convey that effectively. It also dosn't answer the fundamental question "why should I care?" for the potential reader. To the average person, the work "contemplation" is a verb they don't use very much. They probably don't even know "contemplation" is a spiritual practice similar to meditation. The interior of the book will explain all of this, but only if they open and read it. The cover needs to evoke that curiosity so they will get to the amazing content in its pages.

The cover art is nice but doesn't tell me what the book is about or evoke a feeling that ignites the desire to learn more about the book.

Suggestions:
• Use cover art that emotionally or intellectually invites curiosity for the content withing.
• Make sure the title or subtitle answers the question, "why should the potential reader care?" or "what problem or pain point will this solve for the reader?"
• Adding a "forward by" or a testimonial from someone noteworthy would be ideal. Ideally, someone known and trusted by the target audience.


Sample Titles:
Contemplation: Discover the Ancient Practice of Centering the Mind
Investigating Mindfulness: A User-Friendly Approach to Understanding Contemplative Practices
Contemplation for the Meditation-Challenged: A Simpler Path to Achieving Mental Focus


Happy to support this author in any way I can. Feel free to reach out with any questions or if Kevin Heart would like to be interviewed for my podcast.
Darren
https://linktr.ee/darrenmain

Contemplation, Kevin Hart
Contemplation, meditation, and developing a habit of reading and reflecting on scripture are some of the ways that we can grow in our faith and understanding. Prayer and meditation give us a certain level of depth in our understanding, with the work that is shared here we are given a framework to go deeper through contemplation, and an understanding of Lectio Divina as a practice. As the author states this “little book will turn on recovering elements of the Catholic and Orthodox heritage of contemplation. It is not necessary to have that as an understanding before reading the book. The author writes through a survey of Eastern and Western traditions that contribute to Spiritual exercise that can lead to our journey to and awareness of God.
Contemplation is work, the author notes that some move from meditation to contemplation, and because of the comfort that comes with meditation, fall back into meditating as it is comfortable. Passing from meditation to contemplation, the ligature is work that can be done individually or with the assistance of a Spiritual Director. Lectio Devina as a practice helps with bringing thinking, meditating, and contemplating into a coherent whole as a practice In reading we are encouraged to start this process simply and then grow in our commitment to approaching the health and fitness of our soul with the same intentional effort as our physical health. The book includes notes and recommendations for further reading. I appreciated the survey of Western traditions and the exploration of Medieval Spiritual practices that are not as prevalent today. To be published July 2024 by Columbia University Press.

This well researched academic treatise seeks to define contemplation as the movement of the soul in a sacred and secular manner, the reflection upon our moral and mortal selves and invisible phenomenon. It draws from nostly from. Catholic and orthodox trading and western and eastern philosophies. It does not discusses concrete contemplation techniques or distinguishes it from meditation.