Christian Meditation

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.

The Difference between Christian Meditation and Eastern Meditation

Section 1

Comparing Christian meditation with other forms of meditation?

There are many types, forms, and styles of meditation in use today. As a Christian it is important to determine the right type, style, and format that would be acceptable to God when using today. It is particularly important to know the major differences and correct approach. The major way that Christian meditation is similar to other formats of meditation in use is in its preparation or deliberation regarding the individual time that is set aside to contemplate, deliberate and or think about God.

Usually when a person thinks about meditating, they do so to free oneself from the stress and confusion of life. These benefits are also available to anyone utilizing Christian meditation; however, there is an additional benefit of understanding a word, phrase, or meaning about religion, and gaining a closer relationship with God. Another benefit of faith may be to understand the circumstances of a trying time in their life such as: the death of a loved one, job loss, temptations, relationship issues, divorce, or a myriad of other frustrating issues of life.

There are many differences of meditation when it comes to Christianity, however, the two major ones are:

• Meditation of the traditional nature, focuses on the self, primarily the higher self, but Christian meditation focuses on God, who is above the self. Individuals usually meditate on obtaining enlightenment or understanding about the  meaning of God’s Word, or increasing their relationship, and understanding with God
• Meditation in traditional forms, is where individuals seeks to evacuate one’s self; clearing their minds of all thoughts; in Christian meditation the believer seeks to be filled with knowledge and or understanding of God. Some Christian mediators’ believe that by voiding oneself of all thought opens oneself to being filled with other non- religious entities.

Throughout the exercise of meditation, non-Christians attempt to clear one’s active mind of all thoughts; focusing the brain intently on one thing, until an unoccupied miniscule amount of thoughts is allowed or present in the conscious mind. To accomplish this task, most often  tools or ‘guided’ devices are utilized.  This is talked about elsewhere in the  blog as in the term “Guided Meditation”. Music, incense, visualization and or a ‘mantra’ can also be utilized.

A ‘mantra’ as previously described, can be a word or a series of syllables that one repeats continually, over and over, until the mind is completely void. This ‘mantra’ either used alone or in conjunction with the other “guided medication” devices is supposed to help the individual achieve the ultimate in relaxation and cessation of stress. This helps one attain tranquility; in the midst of a chaotic state of mind, by just repeating or calling to mind the ‘mantra’, which when done repeatedly through subconscious replication, the desired effect is attained.

Christian meditation, is where the faithful seeker fills one’s thoughts with the truthfulness of God. Christian mediators’  attain this feat by concentrating their ‘mantra’ such as a ‘Word of God’, be it a single word, a phrase , a concept, a psalm, a scripture, and or a generalized concept about God. In Joshua 1:8 it says, “Thou shall meditate therein ‘the law’ day and night”, in Psalm 1:2 states, “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night”. Instead of  voiding and or clearing one’s mind, the Christian instead fills his mind with dreams , aspirations, hope, encouragement, and enlightenment about the promises of the Word of God.

Also Christians may  or on good things that God has done for him. Or he may merely just reflect on the astonishment and amazement of God, and in doing so the believer is attains tranquility, peace and oneness with God. Which is what non-Christians aspire to accomplish plus with the added feature of connecting with the Eternal.

The major difference is when one seeks to void one’s mind of everything, other entities can enter. There are different sub strata’s of the subconscious that one may not be aware of, and also when focusing on Mantras that are composed of various Yoga syllables one is actually evoking alternate pantheism. More to follow on what other forms of meditation actually is doing that Christians or those of other religions are not aware they are doing.

You can learn more about the original meditation here.