Meaningful leisure is the antidote to both the modern world’s laziness as well as its bustle, but more than that, leisure leads to the highest human calling, contemplation.
“Leisure is,” according to the German philosopher Josef Pieper, “the contemplative reception of reality through our highest activities.” In other words doing activities that allow the mind to grasp the world as it truly is.
Examples of leisure that promote this kind of contemplation could be reading, taking a walk, being in nature, sitting on porch with a cup of tea, deep conversations, feasts and fasts, partaking in the Lord’s Supper, the arts, or even washing the dishes (while daydreaming, of course). The key is to be doing something that allows or spurs the mind into contemplation, or deep thought about reality (and remember, oftentimes poetry can understand the nature of reality more clearly than prose can. Imagination is important here).
To say that the modern world is hell-bent on destroying this kind leisure might be an overstatement, but I doubt it. We are drowning in noise, entertainment, superficial relationships, and an unhealthy ideal of “keeping busy.” We are probably less productive than our constant rush over unimportant tasks leads us to believe — lose your mobile phone for a week and see if you have more time for contemplation. Silence is golden here, as are quality conversations with good books or people to spark great thinking. Without this we are slaves — slaves to mammon, music, entertainment, and bustle. Slaves cannot participate in leisure. Only a free person has the time and education to live lives full of contemplative leisure.
The aim of education ought to be to facilitate this kind of contemplative life of the mind. This calls for both logic and imagination. A well informed mind that can both argue persuasively and love the true and beautiful (this is why a classical education is best).
In work St. Benedict’s motto, “oro et laboro” (pray and work), allows even mundane tasks to be full of “the glory and the dream.” Don’t be swept away by the rat-race of modernity. Invest in the life of the mind.
The highest form of contemplation is found in the worship of God. In the sacraments, given to the church, the body partakes in physical means of grace while the mind contemplates eternal realities. But the greatest contemplative state will be had in heaven, when the soul, stripped from the failings of the flesh, will contemplate God in the Beatific Vision.
Reflective Wanderer 