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 “fill
ing 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 the 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.” 1
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 mediation hard work?
In order for the athlete to make information a part of his or her routine they must perpetually and intentionally study, practice and review. Austin Collie, rookie wide receiver of the Indianapolis Colts, provides us a great example of this preparation process. Football scouts agree that he [Collie] is a very hard worker and always does extra in practice [in order to be successful]. Moreover, Indianapolis Head Coach Jim Caldewell said he [Collie]had a ferocious study habit. “He is in [the film room] watching the film before anyone else gets an opportunity to see it. He watches it the night before; he watches it the next morning. No matter by ground or air, the point is made. In his first season, Collie has not just aggressively tackled his film regimen, he’s attacked it. The fruit of Collie’s work? ‘The receiver caught 60 passes this season as [Peyton] Manning’s third option outside of Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, picking up 676 yards and seven touchdowns.'”2 Through diligent effort Collie definitively transformed information into fruitful playing performance.
Is meditation important for the Christian?
The Rookie analogy is similar to meditation. In meditation we focus on some aspect of God. For example, the writer of Psalm 118:28 says, “You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you“. Focus on the first phrase, “You are my God,” and 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. When 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 you 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, heartfelt, and godly response which was prepared in advance through meditation.
What is the goal of meditation?
Ultimately, meditation is one of the spiritual disciplines that conform us into the image of Christ. David conveys this idea best in Psalm 119:11 when 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 the ultimate reality, which is God. When practiced consistently, meditation makes living the Christian life less of a challenge and more of a joy. The fruit of meditation is that we will not be living out of someone else’s relationship, but we learn to confidently live out who we really are in Christ.
References:
1. Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline, pg. 15
2. http://www.indysportsnation.com/sports/pro/football/isn-012009-colts-rookies,0,7953179.story
