There are times when a person sits in a stillness that is guarded and wakeful

But after much converse with the Scriptures | continuous supplication and thanksgiving at his feeble state | with his gaze extended unceasingly towards God's grace | following on after great dejectedness in the stillness | and from that starting point little by little some spaciousness of heart is born | and a germination (takes place) which gives birth to joy from within | even though that (joy) has no origin from that person himself | by some kind of initiating (process of) thought. | He is aware that his heart is rejoicing | but he does not know the reason win. | For a certain exultation takes hold in the soul | at the enjoyment of which everything that exists and is seen is disregarded | and the mind sees, through its power, whence comes the foundation of that rapture of thought — | but why (it occurs) he does not comprehend. | He sees that the mind is raised up from association with everything else | is lifted up and finds itself above the world in its upsurge | and (above) the memories which came into being below it. | it (now) spurns and removes the whole world of time away, faraway from itself | but it does not discern (any) extension of intellect at (this) leaping of the heart | or (at) the drawing out of the mind during its vexation. | 34.2, pp. 146-7