Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation is the process of consciously focusing on specific words, phrases, and or thoughts and thinking about them.  The intent is to increase ones closeness and or understanding of God.

Historically, the word meditate came from Hebrew passages in the Bible’s Old Testament.  The words ‘haga’ and  ‘siha”  meant to think about, to concentrate or to rehearse  in the mind.  These words were then translated into the Greek work ‘melete’, which incorporated the emphasis and use of the human heart when thinking or concentrating in the mind.

The word ‘melete’ then becomes translated into its Latin form  ‘meditatio’, which in turn becomes meditate in English.

The word meditate is found approximately 25 times, mostly in the Old Testament’s Book of Psalms.

In the 12^th Century, a monk named Guigo II, described  the use of meditation for Christians as a way to obtain a closer relationship with God.  He suggested that this relationship should be a four step process.

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This process begins with:

1.) Bible reading, or hearing the word of God , ‘something spiritual’, which in turns leads to:

2.) Thinking about what was said and or heard, its significance and reflecting (the meditation component),

[These 2 stages, as Guigo saw it,  lead to prayer, the 3^rd stage]

3.) Prayer, which then leads to the last component;

4.) Total contemplation on God.  Which some might  presently  view as being a deeper form of meditation.

Since Guigo II, various saints and historical figures approached,  carried out,  and suggested different forms of meditation.  We will attempt to site some of these in the future.

Today various forms of meditation exist. However, some  are not considered acceptable by Christian standards. For example in 2003, the Vatican announced that “the Church avoids any concept that is close to those of New Age.”

Christian Meditation is very different from eastern styles of meditation and is not to be confused where individuals rely on repeating  ‘mantras’, (a repeated syllable or word or phrase),  over and over to reach a state of enlightenment.

New Age meditation is not to be confused with Christian Meditation. This form of meditation is a cross between “self awareness” and “reflection” and compiling Western ideas  with traditional eastern religions and philosophies.  Its roots are traceable to Hinduism, Taoism, Neopagan and Gnostic traditions.

Suggestions for things to meditate on can be found in the Bible: in Philippians chapter 4, verse 8; where in the New International version it states:

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is  pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy; think about such things.”

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_meditation

Book of LUKE  1 : 37

“Nothing is impossible with God.”

Scholars believe Luke wrote his Gospel anywhere between A.D. 59-63 to the later 70s or early 80s. He was a physician by profession and a close companion of Paul. The Gospel he wrote was directed to Theopilus who might have been a Roman official or a person of high position and wealth, and possibly even the patron of Luke. The purpose Luke had for writing was to praise the spreading of the Gospel into the world. In Chapter 1 verse 37 Luke states,”  For nothing is impossible with God.” This statement is referring to the two miracles which were referenced in the Bible.

God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, had given the Virgin Mary and her extremely older relative, Elizabeth, who was barren, gifts. Both were given the gift of being with child, and would give birth to Jesus and John the Baptist, respectively. Elizabeth had prayed many times over to be able to conceive, because a woman who could not bear children in that society was looked down upon. In Elizabeth’s case, her husband, Zachariah, did not believe that his wife was pregnant. So God caused him to become both deaf and mute, until she gave birth. He did this because Zachariah was a priest and did not believe or trust that God could make his wife pregnant after all these years, especially since she was post menopausal and extremely old.

Mary’s conception was viewed as immaculate or perfect because she had never been touched by a man, and was still a virgin (hence the name Virgin Mary).

The statement, that with God all things are possible came about because of these two spectacular  miracles, and it’s just a positive spin on “nothing is impossible with God”. Then if God could make anything happen for anyone, at any time in their life; he can do it for you and I. One just has to believe.

Christian meditation techniques are a lot different from the forms of Eastern meditation. Some Eastern forms are better recognized by names such as Yoga, New Age, Zen, TM, (which stands for Transcendental Meditation), and the Now. Basically they have come to us from the Hindu, Buddhist and Indian religions. And frankly there are a large number of Christians who do not meditate because of their lack of clarity on several main issues, such as:

1.) lack of understanding of the term to meditate, which has be muddled by the confusion of the way it has been characterized by Eastern meditative styles, and…

2.) Most Christian’s have ambivalence toward meditation as a means to increase their relationship with God; because they believe they would be sinning by participating in a non-religious activity. The  general objection of meditation as it relates to the Eastern styles of meditation is the voiding of the mind of all thought taught by some forms, and the use of mantras that are calling ancient non Christian gods into your mind.

This is the major antithesis of Christian Meditation as it relates to Eastern meditation. For in Christian Meditation one concentrates on God or on a Psalm or Scripture which is about God or what God has done or will do. Christian meditate to aid in spiritual reflection, understanding, and to increase their relationship with God. Actually initial meditation techniques of all forms may be somewhat similar, the process changes when the actual meditation takes place. God actually commands Christians to meditate through His Word in the Bible. There are actually over 80 references made by God, Prophets, Apostles, and others to meditate on God and other spiritual matters.

So what techniques should we utilize when we want to go about meditating? As mentioned above, the beginning process is very similar to any form of meditation. So you will need to find a nice, comfortable, quiet place with absolutely no distractions. Decide whether you would like to sit yoga style on a pillow, a soft rug, or even your bed. Whatever you decide you’ll need to maintain an upright posture with your back. Some people like to use a favorite easy chair but again keep your back upright, this will keep the mind alert. If you push yourself back in an easy chair, individuals sometime have the tendency to drift off to sleep.

The next step is to place your hands gently in your lap and decide whether or not you want to use typical yoga posture of placing your index fingers on your thumbs and place the tip of your tongue on the back of your upper teeth. Using these yoga forms is okay as it is just the position of the body; you are not inviting ancient God’s into your mind. After this is accomplished it would be wise to tense the muscles in your body for a period of 3 seconds, not too hard, and then let them relax. Do this a couple of times to help your body relax and then start the process of deep breathing. If you know what diaphragm or belly breathing is you can use this form because it actually increases the oxygen content to your body, which will aid in your relaxation. If not concentrate on breathing slowly in through your nostrils, hold for account of three, and then slowly breathe out through your mouth using pursed lips. As you settle into this process for a couple of minutes it is now time to start contemplating on the word of God, this is something you should have figured out previously as in a Psalm, a section of  Scripture, or a word or concept about God.

What you will find happens as you try to relax and meditate on God, is that your mind will start to rush with all sorts of unwanted thoughts. Such as things you needed to, things you’ve been wondering about, things from the past that didn’t go right, and what might happen in the future. Try not to fight the thoughts but continue concentrating on your Christian thoughts. In order to assist in this process you might consider using some type of guided christian meditation. All this means is some additional way to help direct you through this procedure. Actually you are already doing this by concentrating on your breathing. Other items would be things such as using a fan to mask bothersome background noise, using soothing music, picturing a relaxing scene or different colors in your mind, and or using Christian Meditation CDs.

These CDs combine soothing music, along with selected Psalms and Scriptures from the Bible, making it easier to shut out the unwanted noise and thoughts that will flood your mind. They are especially great for beginners. And like they always say, practice makes perfect, if this is a novel situation for you, the only way to master Christian meditation is to practice daily. Usually one to three times a day would be great for about the fifteen to twenty minutes each time. But any amount of time is better than no amount of time and once the principles have been mastered. You will be able to meditate at any time, any place, and in any situation just as easily as you breathe in and out throughout the day.