What Is Our Part In Contemplation?

Since contemplation is something that happens to us by the infusing or in-pouring work of God, the question naturally arises about what our part is in this process.
Our part is to develop skills and practices and a way of being that will best form and inform our inner life to receive whatever God is pouring in. To walk as one prepared for this is to walk as a contemplative person.
Michael Casey calls this inner life condition “a patient receptivity.” (Sacred Reading, Page 8)
One of the psalms indicates that God is watched and waited upon so intently by the psalmist that it is like a servant observing the slightest indication from a master – a subtle hand movement, an inflection, a twitch of an eyebrow.
The contemplative is not lost in the mist of his own juices, but is focused on the Lord, waiting for the slightest indication that He would say something, require something of us, or move somehow in a way that involves us.
“We should note that this kind of entering within is just the opposite of introspection, for we are turning away from an egocentrism and turning toward the supreme Other.” (Dubay, Fire Within, Page 58)
This is a very important distinction, which will make more and more sense over time. The abuses of contemplation are many, even within the faith. People get alone in the quiet and dream up their own “take” on Truth. While it is appropriate to associate the practices of contemplative prayer and lectio divina as a mysticism, and the founders such as Teresa and John of the Cross as Christian “mystics,” these terms lend themselves to a great deal of misunderstanding when taken out of their immediate Christian context; their theological housing, as it were. Improperly tethered, contemplation quickly loses all domestication, becomes senseless and wild.
The chief end of a contemplative person is to learn Christ. While God is pouring in, we are to be found doing one thing – turning toward the supreme Other.
Any thoughts? May God help you to hear Him.