Do we have to meditate?

ILoveJesusChristOurLord

Active Member
Sep 1, 2015
39
17
✟7,754.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Hi people!

I used to be a Sikh and in practising that religion, to help become closer to God you'd normally (not fully required) sit down with legs crossed and close your eyes and meditate on God's name and recite his prayers written in the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book and the last Guru). It's been a few months now since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour and I've been wondering, apart from reading scripture, could one just sit down and think about God's name? Sikhism is a religion that accepts there is one true God and even mentions Jesus in the Guru Granth Sahib and accepts that there have been prophets sent by God before Sikhism was introduced so there are a few similarities between it and Christianity. Could I just sit down and think about God's name and Jesus? or would it be better to keep reading the Bible and praying?

Bless you
 

toLiJC

Senior Member
Jun 18, 2012
3,041
227
✟35,877.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Hi people!

I used to be a Sikh and in practising that religion, to help become closer to God you'd normally (not fully required) sit down with legs crossed and close your eyes and meditate on God's name and recite his prayers written in the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book and the last Guru). It's been a few months now since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour and I've been wondering, apart from reading scripture, could one just sit down and think about God's name? Sikhism is a religion that accepts there is one true God and even mentions Jesus in the Guru Granth Sahib and accepts that there have been prophets sent by God before Sikhism was introduced so there are a few similarities between it and Christianity. Could I just sit down and think about God's name and Jesus? or would it be better to keep reading the Bible and praying?

Bless you

unfortunately, all the doctrine of yoga is satanic, so all the meditation, as it is depictured by the gurus, yogis, brahmins, etc. such as krishna and patanjali, is a satanic method bringing all kinds of satanic spirits in the world and especially in the life of the one who exercises/practices yoga, it is a process of satanic spiritualization, which may be very high(deep) including very sublime, blissful and graceful/glorious, and there may be all kinds of (misleading) signs and wonders except the signs and (the) wonders of the true salvation(i.e. the salvation in the true Lord God), and what makes such a meditation contrary to the Will of the true Lord God is exactly its nature of idleness in regard to doing good for the neighbor - the yogi just sits physically motionless, while internally it seeks some its own profit and may participate in a very intensive occult activity, the one which is concentrated in the (biblical) "sea"(the place forbidden for the humans to exercise control over it), not (legitimately) in the "heaven", that is why the meditation carries risks even if it has, prima facie, nothing to do with the doctrine of yoga, and for that reason no one of the biblical prophets recommends/teaches yoga/meditation, and no one of them can be seen to exercise/practice yoga/meditation, but Jesus, the Lord, says that nothing can remove all the evil from the humans but only the good prayer and the good fasting(care/concern/solicitude) (Mark 9:29)

Blessings
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Gentle Lamb
Upvote 0

Albion

Facilitator
Dec 8, 2004
111,138
33,258
✟583,842.00
Country
United States
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
sit down with legs crossed and close your eyes and meditate on God's name and recite his prayers written...

No. That idea is foreign to Christianity. We do have some people who value meditation, but it's a different kind of exercise, not trying to focus on a word or sound, even the name of God, until you lose yourself into something or other. And it won't actually bring you closer to God, although it can make you appreciate him better.

If you were to think carefully (and without any particular physical component to it) about the events in Christ's life, his teachings, or upon the meaning of God in your life...that might be--and is--called meditation by Christians, but it's different from what you referred to.
Hi people!

I used to be a Sikh and in practising that religion, to help become closer to God you'd normally (not fully required) sit down with legs crossed and close your eyes and meditate on God's name and recite his prayers written in the Guru Granth Sahib (the holy book and the last Guru). It's been a few months now since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and saviour and I've been wondering, apart from reading scripture, could one just sit down and think about God's name? Sikhism is a religion that accepts there is one true God and even mentions Jesus in the Guru Granth Sahib and accepts that there have been prophets sent by God before Sikhism was introduced so there are a few similarities between it and Christianity. Could I just sit down and think about God's name and Jesus? or would it be better to keep reading the Bible and praying?

Bless you
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

tturt

Senior Veteran
Supporter
Oct 30, 2006
15,761
7,236
✟789,115.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I wouldn't meditate in the same manner in order to distinguish between my earlier behavior/life and now. Biblical meditation is to focus on or think like Yahweh wants such as:

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isa 26:3
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice" Philippians 4:4
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" I Cor 10:5
 
Upvote 0

ateares

New Member
Nov 12, 2015
3
3
37
✟7,638.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
The term "meditate" shows up in the Bible roughly 20 times, depending on your interpretations of the Greek or Hebrew words.

I have actually debated this a time or two with my wife. I formerly believe that meditation - clearing one's mind - to be a good thing. But what you will find in the Bible on the verses that discuss meditation, is what is know as object meditation and not the transcendental meditations taught in other religions.

In this context, Jesus and God's word (scripture) is to be the object of your meditation. Joshua 1:8 ""This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it."

Simply, we are to focus on Jesus. In contemplation, study, prayer and meditation (dwelling on Him in thought). Remember that Peter did not fall into the water until he took his eyes off of Jesus.

In the parable of "the return of an unclean spirit," Jesus tells us that clearing your mind is not enough. (Matthew 12:43-45) If you don't renew your mind and fill it with God's law and righteousness, you are subject to be in worse condition than when you started. In this way, meditation can feel like it is helping temporarily (sweeping up a house), but unless it is occupied by Christ, you will face worse and worse demons.

If you wish to clear you mind and order your thoughts that can be a healthy activity, so long as you remember to fill it with Jesus.
 
  • Like
Reactions: paul1149
Upvote 0

Goodbook

Reading the Bible
Jan 22, 2011
22,090
5,106
New Zealand
Visit site
✟78,865.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
In Relationship
Reading the bible is meditating on his Word.
You dont need to be in a certain posture or clear your mind to do it, the word once you start reading it will renew your mind.

It is not one word over and over, although Jesus is our salvation, I think he wants you to read the whole story. Start with the gospels.
 
Upvote 0

Dave-W

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!
Supporter
Jun 18, 2014
30,521
16,866
Maryland - just north of D.C.
Visit site
✟771,800.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Reading the bible is meditating on his Word.
It is much more than that.

Hebraic meditation is taking a passage of scripture and turning it over and over in your mind; examining it from every conceivable angle. Comparing it and contrasting it with similar passages. Unlike eastern meditation which requires emptying the mind, Hebraic meditation FILLS the mind with the Word of God.

Also - unlike eastern meditation which is almost by definition a solitary endeavor; Hebraic meditation can include discussion of the passage with someone else.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gentle Lamb
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

vespasia

Franciscan.
Supporter
Oct 15, 2004
5,805
407
Back
✟51,460.00
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Private
You will find Christians as a whole will not always be in agreement with each other in how to practice what could be termed adoration and meditation.

In the Christian monastic traditions there are two very good sources that I have found helpful. The first is from what is known as Desert Spirituality and is known as 'The Jesus Prayer' the other comes from Benedictine spirituality and is known as Lectio Divino. [To savour Gods word] Christ has many titles throughout scripture and I see no reason not to make space to sit with God and reflect upon them and their meanings if that is something that will help you as part of your ongoing discipleship journey.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums