From the Dutch catechism for adults
Whoever wants to constantly progress in the knowledge of God will come to set him on his thinking. He kneels. He thinks the words of a prayer, verbatim (the Our Father, a psalm, for example) or it reflects a narrative of the gospel or a certain behavior (patience, helpfulness ...).. He speaks with God. In this reflection, he removes light, strength and love. "Meditation" is the name given to this form of prayer, and nobody will ever know what role it played in human progress in the growth of goodness on earth.
He who meditates regularly for years ("trying to meditate," correct one who does) at some point discovered that meditation he became quite impossible. He tries to concentrate, but without success. Yet he wants to pray. His heart wants to be close to God, wants to be attentive to the depth of divine reality. Sometimes he will experience drought, yes, a feeling of aversion and total misery. Yet something in him wants to continue to pray. He experiments very strongly that it is rather that he acted acting. Sometimes it is the peace of God which will fill. It is then somehow transported. He feels that God is near him.
In this prayer reflection is then a smaller place, it prayer of rest (prayer of quiet). From meditation, prayer slips to contemplation. He who has devoted much time to reach this stage of meditation. Reached this stage, some believe they should still continue to think and express thoughts clear. They are not aware of being in another kind of prayer. A good advisor here could prevent many of disarray and suffering. He explains that prayer was not demoted, but it enters a more advanced phase. Do not try at all costs to produce ideas and words. It is simply about God.
An introduction to the Catholic faith, Ed French, IDOC, 1968, p. 407-408
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