In effect, nothing more is requisite for Meditation, than to be a reasonable creature, because Meditation is nothing more than an exercise of the three powers of the soul-memory, understanding, and will; that is, an application of these three powers to some particular subject, whether spiritual or temporal. Therefore, it is clear that Meditation, rightly understood, it not only easy, but universally practiced, since all, from the highest to the lowest, have some object in view; some scheme to accomplish; some business to pursue; and there is no one, if he wish to avoid being rash or foolish, who does not frequently reflect on and adopt the means most likely to insure success. A Saint is not distinguished from a worldling, precisely by reflecting or meditating more frequently and more profoundly; but by a difference in the subject of his reflections or meditations. It is on the concerns of the soul only that Meditation is found troublesome and difficult. For example, what difficulty does a merchant find in meditating, that is, in reasoning or reflecting on commerce? A farmer on husbandy? A tradesman on his employment? Those persons frequently call to mind what they have heard and read, for or against the plans they pursue, and thus they exercise the memory. They make serious reflections upon what they have found profitable or the reverse, and consider frequently how far their plans are calculated to insure success, or expose them to failure; this is the exercise of the understanding. Lastly, however, little capacity those persons may have, their reflections never fail to excite in their will hopes and desires of success, fears of danger, or sorrow for failures; this is the exercise of the will. And these same reflections afterwards urge them to take precautions against the accidents they foresee, and adopt such measures as may repair past losses, and insure ultimate success. The Catholics Manual.
