Christian Meditation

We have discussed meditation, its meaning, and history as it relates to Christians. In this post we will explore the term ‘guided meditation’, its meaning, purpose, and types; specifically how it relates and is applied to meditation when using CDs.

As stated earlier in this blog, the purpose of Christian meditation is to calm and focus the mind on a specific word or subject in order to better understand a religious concept, and or increase one’s relationship with God. It can be very difficult to separate oneself from the immediate external and internal environment in order to reach a state of calm, especially as a beginner. It seems as soon as one starts the meditation process of calming the mind all sorts of external variables flood the brain. Things such as: the comfort of the surrounding area (sounds, smells, temperature, and tastes; as well things that pop into the mind eg., what one needs to do, what has been done in the past, how it could have been different, what needs to be done in the future, how come it’s so difficult to control the mind, etc. etc.)

In order to make it easier to reach this desired focus point individuals can utilize the assistance of various tools. Guided meditation is the act of one using these tools to help achieve a meditative state. Using a tool makes it easier, faster, and fun; many people who meditate use guided meditation to achieve their goal. The more one practices, the more one’s body and mind become conditioned to the meditative process, and the easier it becomes to meditate without ‘guided’ assistance. One will be able to clear and focus the mind at will, any place and any time. Let’s look at some assistive tools to help one meditate.

The following items can be used by themselves or together to achieve a meditative state. An individual who is trained or experienced in meditation, such as a ‘guru’, can assist one in the quest for meditation, one can take classes, purchase a CD, MP3 or DVD. Simple things such as using a mantra, a word or phrase which one repeats and concentrates, facilitates focus abilities. Breathing meditation is guided meditation. Here, in order to help one concentrate and block out extraneous stimuli, attention is placed on the breath going in and out of the body. This form of guided meditation is often used for beginners, an example can be found in the how to meditate section. The sense of smell is one of our most powerful sensations.  The use of incense, and or essential oils such as mugwort, sandalwood, and lavender have been known to support and or heighten one’s meditative journey.

A deeper and more intense focus can be realized when one employs the use of chakra balancing and pineal stimulation during meditation. This could be a topic all on its own, briefly meditation stimulates the pineal gland, and the sixth chakra, known also as the third eye also relates to color indigo. The theory is by envisioning one’s mantra or word phrase at the point where the third eye is on the body, as well as seeing an indigo hue; the pineal gland will be stimulated, thus allowing the meditative experience to be more deeper and spiritual in nature.

Music can illicit meditative characteristics in our brains just by itself; it is uplifting, joyous, peaceful, and a powerful adjunct to the concentration process. By adding music with other guided tools or when combined with specialized word phrases. One of the systems that encompasses peaceful music with up lifting Biblical phrases that individuals find to be very effective for Christian meditation is Faith-Builder. It is easily used in a MP3 by individuals beginning to meditate as well as individuals who are more advanced.