What is Christian meditation?

What is Christian meditation?

With the influence of eastern culture now permeating our lives, it is imperative for us to examine one of the most important spiritual disciplines for the believer today—meditation. A common question is, “How does Christian meditation differ from eastern meditation?” Christian meditation is about “filling the mind”, whereas eastern meditation is about “emptying the mind”. Most eastern forms of meditation take the stance that life is an illusion. As a result, to free ourselves from the deception, we must empty ourselves of our identity and become one with the inevitable nothingness of reality. In contrast to this form of meditation stands the Christian practice. In it, the worshiper is to focus on ultimate reality, which is God. There are a variety of ways to accomplish this; through nature, through art, through studying people etc. however, the one meditation method that is practiced the most is contemplation on the “Word of God.”

How does meditation affect me?

The Christian form of meditation is the process of allowing the reality of God to permeate your essence. It is accomplished through contemplating on God and His principles. Being a former athlete, I will give an analogy from athletics that I believe will highlight this process - the struggle of a Rookie. The one challenge young professional athletes have in transitioning from the collegiate level to the pro level is the speed of the game. The rookie must learn how to take large amounts of information and utilize it as though it were a natural part of their performance. So instead of having to take time during the game and consider the appropriate response for a given situation, the proper course of action should flow naturally from them without hesitation. This can only happen when the Rookie’s training becomes instinctive or a part of who they are.

Is meditation important for the Christian?

The Rookie analogy is similar to meditation. In meditation we focus on some aspect of God---for example --- Psalm 118:28 You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. If you focus on the first phrase, “You are my God…” start to consider all the ways this truth impacts your life. How does it affect your hopes, your dreams, your future, your pains, etc? Once this truth becomes a part of you, it naturally flows out of you. Once you’re out where the rubber meets the road, and meditation has become a habit for you, godly responses will naturally permeate from you instead of having to rummage through the Scriptures for an answer to whatever challenge you are facing. Over time and through constant meditation, the reality of the spiritual life will become more evident. The result will be an understanding that life’s myriad of challenges necessitate a specific godly response out of your heart, which was prepared through meditation.

What is the goal of meditation?

Ultimately, meditation is one of the spiritual disciplines that conforms us into the image of Christ. David coveys this idea the best in Psalm 119:11 he says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Meditation helps to bring us closer to God through focusing on ultimate reality, which is God. If practiced consistently, living out the Christian life will be less of a challenge and more of a joy; because the fruit of meditation is that we are not living out of someone else’s relationship, but we can now confidently live out who we really are, in Christ.