Contemplative Spirituality: A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but often wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of contemplative spirituality is interspiritual (all paths lead to God) and panentheistic (God is in all). Common terms used in this movement are “spiritual formation,” “the silence,” “the stillness,” “ancient-wisdom,” “spiritual disciplines,” “spiritual directors,” and many others.
Spiritual Formation: A movement that has provided a platform and a channel through which contemplative prayer has entered the church. Find Spiritual Formation being used, and in nearly every case, you will find contemplative spirituality. In fact, contemplative spirituality is the heartbeat of the Spiritual Formation movement.
To more fully understand contemplative spirituality and Spiritual Formation, read A Time of Departing by Ray Yungen.
They are also using the words, “rhythms” and “habits” to shy away from using the word “disciplines” in spiritual formation.