What is contemplative prayer?

"St. Teresa (of Avila) answers:

"'Contemplative prayer [oración mental]
in my opinion is nothing else than
a close sharing between friends;
it means taking time frequently
to be alone with him who we know loves us.'

"Contemplative prayer
seeks him 'whom my soul loves.'
(Song of Songs 1:7; cf. 3:1-4)

"It is Jesus, and in him, the Father.

"We seek him,
because to desire him
is always the beginning of love,
and we seek him
in that pure faith
which causes us
to be born of him
and to live in him.

"In this inner prayer we can still meditate,
but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2709