When you think of meditation, Christianity is usually not the first thing that comes to mind, right? Usually you think of someone meditating in a lotus pose with their legs crossed and palms facing upward on their knees. Yet, meditation is not limited to yoga. In fact, it is considered an essential spiritual discipline that is actually a wonderful opportunity to spend some time being quiet in the Lord.
What is Meditation?
There are many types of meditation used by various religions, but the actual definition of meditation is, according to WordNet web, "the continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature" and "contemplation of spiritual matters." That being said, no one faith has a monopoly on meditation, because it really is just quiet contemplation of something. In the Christian's case, meditation is the deep contemplation of something having to do with his or her faith.
Today meditation is used everywhere from yoga to therapy. There are numerous types of meditation that focus on breathing, objects, feelings, and more. It is designed to help people grow in understanding themselves, the world around them, their faith, and even healing physical and emotional wounds.
Origins of Meditation?
No one is really sure of when meditation began. There are mentions of it in Hindu scriptures that date back 5,000 years. Yet, some people consider forms of prayer to be a type of meditation. Some researchers have even dated meditation back to hunter/gatherer societies. Still, most people attribute meditation to Buddha, who became a meditation icon.
Still, Christian meditation does have its own history. It is often referred to as contemplative prayer. We can find meditation in the Bible both in Joshua 1:8 and Psalms 46:10. Since the 4th century A.D. it was used mostly by monks, but has seen a resurgence by everyday Christians today.
Why Use Meditation?
So, if meditation became popular via Hindu and Buddist practices, should Christians be practicing meditation? Well, the key to practicing meditation is the technique that brings you closer to God. In both Joshua 1:8 and Psalms 46:10, we are told stillness is the key to knowing God. A relationship with Him is not based on us providing a litany of wants or woes. A relationship is also spending time with him in silence and listening to Him.
Meditation is one of those quiet practices that allows us to clear our minds of what's going on in our world to just relax in the Lord. It is especially useful when we are feeling disconnected from God or bound up in worries and doubt. Meditation is a spiritual discipline that allows us to become content in God, create a sense of intimacy with him, and be present in the Lord.
How Do I Meditate?
There are two forms of modern age meditation that make it simple for Christians to focus on God. The first is called "Concentrative Meditation." In this type the individual focuses on breathing along with one thing, which could be a scripture, image, or sound regarding his/her faith. By narrowing your focus, the item you want to focus on becomes more clear as you sit silently and just breath. You learn to let go of everything around you and focus on God.
Another type of meditation is called "Mindfulness Meditation." This type of meditation focuses on feelings. This is a good type of meditation when you just want to feel God's presence around you. You just allow yourself to sit silently allowing whatever goes through your mind to travel through it, but you don't react to any of the thoughts or images.
