In the past I have written about the importance of perspective in symbolic understanding, such as A Symbol Is More Than a Sign and The Beehive of Wisdom. Another place we find symbolic perspective at play in the Christian contemplative tradition is the way The Cloud of Unknowing talks about the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark is a symbol of contemplation, the ceremonies and sacred objects associated with it are the blessed virtues. How we approach the inner worship of contemplation depends on the perspectival stance we assume.

“This grace of contemplation is prefigured in the Ark of the Covenant: in the sense that Moses, Beseleel and Aaron, in their dealings with the ark, are three types of how we exercise ourselves in this grace” (Trans by Walsh)

The perspective of the wilderness prophet is Moses, who receives the instructions for the ark. This represents our beginning as one who does not know how to build a temple. We must go out into the wilderness, fasting for forty days and forty nights, hoping Wisdom will reveal herself. Moses’ fast ties into Jesus in the desert and connects the symbols together. The path of Moses was described above in standing on the heights. 

The perspective of building the temple is Bezalel, who works according to the plans Moses received. This is the hard work of establishing a meaningful rule of life. It is the sacred space in which the inner worship of a monk takes place, as well as the means by which the ark is carried from place to place – communicated from one person to another. The author of The Cloud sees themselves as playing the role of Bezalel precisely because they are instructing a student and helping to form the structure of their prayer.

“In this exercise I hold the office of Beseleel. Perhaps I am speaking childishly and foolishly; for in a way I am fashioning and making plain on your behalf the nature of this spiritual ark. But you can work far better and much more worthily than I do, if you will take on the office of Aaron: that is to say, to exercise yourself continuously in it for yourself and for me as well.” (Trans by Walsh)

The perspective of priest is Aaron, who tends the temple he has received. The manner in which we attend to the altar is just as important as how we construct it. Before the liturgy of the heart may be performed, the anointing oil needs to be prepared and the whole temple blessed. The instructions Moses received from God were for Aaron to,

“Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (an equal part of each), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy, and you shall beat some of it into powder and put part of it before the covenant in the tent of meeting, where I shall meet with you; it shall be most holy for you.” (Exodus 30:34-36)

Reflecting on this scriptural passage, Evagrius of Pontus associated the four ingredients used to make the holy incense and anointing oil with four practical virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Courage. The first of 153 sayings in his famous Chapters On Prayer is an invitation to carry the practical virtues with us into the life of contemplative prayer.

“If a man wishes to prepare a fragrant perfume he must make a mixture of pure incense, of cinnamon, of onyx-stone and of myrrh in equal parts as the law prescribes. This mixture is the fourfold number of the virtues. If they are found in full strength and in due proportions then the spirit will not be betrayed.” (Trans by Bamberger)

The inner worship of contemplation, performed by one who assumes the role of Aaron, begins by mixing the incense. Gather together the ingredients, your reasoning mind being the perfumer. Season the incense with the salt of holy tears, weeping as you pray to the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb.

Beat the spices together with fasting, combining equal parts of every virtue until nothing of any particular spice remains. Part of the mixture will be used as incense in the holy of holies (contemplation) the other part is to anoint all the sacred objects used in the ritual (spiritual virtues).

Everything the anointing oil touches becomes holy, carefully and attentively ensuring our inner temple is a well oiled machine – in preparation for the sacrifice of the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Whatever spiritual practices you may have, be sure to bless them with common sense, self control, respect, and dedication.

Within the golden altar of incense, the practical virtues bless the Ark of the Covenant in the tent of meeting, where God will make herself known. The incense is burned every morning and evening, reminding us to daily invoke the practical virtues – sanctifying our prayers with their sweetness, purifying the tent of meeting in preparation for the worship of God. It will be a sacred time for you.

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