Christine de Pizan, Le Livre des Trois Vertus

Paris: H. Champion, 1989. Introduction par Charity Cannon Willard et Eric Hicks. Translation (c) Garay and Jeay. p22-23.

This describes the two holy ways, the contemplative and the active.

Here is what you must do if you want to be saved. The scriptures tell of the two ways which lead to Heaven: the contemplative life and the active life. Without following these paths it is impossible to enter there. What do they involve? The contemplative life is a way and state of serving God wherein one loves Our Lord so deeply and so passionately that she completely forgets her father, mother, children and everybody, even herself, on account of the all-consuming attention she unceasingly devotes to her creator. She never thinks of anything else; nothing else is of any importance to her; no poverty, trouble nor suffering (which could certainly damage another) preoccupies her heart, the heart of the true contemplative. Her lifestyle completely disregards everything in the world and all its transient pleasures. She remains solitary, isolated from others, kneeling on the ground, her hands joined and pointing towards Heaven, her heart lifted up in such lofty thought that she ascends, in contemplation, into the presence of God. She sees the Holy Trinity and the heavenly court, with all of its delights, through divine inspiration.

The perfect contemplative is frequently so ravished that she no longer seems to be herself, and the consolation, sweetness and pleasure she experiences can scarcely be related, nor can they be compared with any earthly joy. She feels and tastes the glories and joys of Paradise. Through her contemplation she sees God in spirit. Because of her burning love she has all she needs of this world and feels no other desire. God, delighting in his servant, offers the delights of his holy Paradise. Pure, spiritual, heavenly thoughts give confident hope of joining that joyful company. No other exultation compares to this, as those who have tried the contemplative way know. I am sorry that I cannot speak of that exultation any more than a blind man can describe colours. But, above all others, this is the way that is most pleasing to God. Some holy contemplatives are said to have physically levitated, by God's miracle, lifting above the earth in their contemplation, as if their body was following the thought as it rose towards Heaven. I am not worthy to speak of this holy, elevated life, nor to describe it as fully as it deserves. But the holy scriptures are full of information on it for those who would learn more....

Although both ways [the active and the contemplative] are excellent, Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed his view concerning which is the more perfect. Mary, the representative of the contemplative life, seated herself at his feet, as one who had no desire for anything else and was completely consumed by holy love. Her sister Martha, the example of the active life, was the hostess, busily serving Our Lord and his apostles, complaining to him that her sister did not help her. Excusing Mary, Our Lord said: "You are very diligent Martha, and your work is very valuable and necessary for the assistance and support of others. However, the contemplative life signifies the rejection of the entire world and all its requirements, to think only of him. This is of greater worth and is more prefect."

This is why holy men founded religious orders long ago, for that life is the nearest estate to God. Those who desire to love in contemplation can detach themselves from the world for God's service without any other concerns. As well as pleasing themselves, such contemplatives, when they observe their duty, are very pleasing to God.