Entering into contemplative prayer

"is like entering into the Eucharistic liturgy:

"we 'gather up' the heart,

"recollect our whole being
under the prompting of the Holy Spirit,

"abide in the dwelling place of the Lord
which we are,

"awaken our faith
in order to enter into the presence
of him who awaits us.

"We let our masks fall
and turn our hearts back
to the Lord who loves us,
so as to hand ourselves over to him
as an offering
to be purified
and transformed."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2711