Meditation

[GuelahPapyrus]

I like to meditate myself to sleep on nights when I'm restless, nothing big, just concentrate on breathing until I get into a more relaxed state and I'm able to sleep. What exactly is the Christian position on meditation unrelated to Buddhism/Hinduism? Is it a sin?

 

[Bonhoffer]

I've known of many Christians who meditate. I cant see why it would be a problem just because it isnt mentioned in the Bible.

All meditation does is relaxes you, calms you down, enlightens your thoughts and gives you a peace of mind. Surely all these things can be used in serving the Lord.

If all you ever did was meditate then there would be a problem. However I cant see how anything bad could be brought from this practice.

 

[Received]

Meditation from the Christian perspective -- at least according to many contemporary theologians (i.e. Richard Foster) -- is exactly the opposite of our Eastern conceptions of it; for while Eastern religious understanding of meditation focuses on emptying the mind, the Christian claim, according to scripture, means simply to focus on a singe point of reference for a specific number of time -- such as scripture, or God's attributes. The Eastern form of meditation is idealized in Hinduism, and from there the other major religions have followed (i.e. Buddhism, etc.). I personally have attempted the sort of meditation that works on emptying the mind...but have gotten not very far. It takes practice for those sorts of things; your posture must be worked to be without pain, your breathing must be clear and without ailment.

Of course, it comes to mind whether this sort of practice is 'good' for Christians, and once again I would point out the futility of a weak conscience attempting any of these things. While I may not practice it in the hopes to attain Nirvana, or further my hopes of ending reincarnation and being joined for eternity with Brahma, the practice itself can be very rejuvinating. The main point is regarding your conscience, and the revelation that there is nothing bad in itself, nor nothing dedicated to anything else, without the mind thinking so. This is what Paul argues in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 -- very cunningly overlooked passages by modern Christendom, for they reveal that a true Christian can do anything so long as his conscience, in love, does not contradict him. This goes with the whole idea of love being the end of the law.

 

[openeyes]

Meditation is fine, I meditate as much as I can. I learned my meditation tecnique from a Buddist meditation guide. IMO it's a better way to have solutions revealed.

This is what Paul argues in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 -- very cunningly overlooked passages by modern Christendom, for they reveal that a true Christian can do anything so long as his conscience, in love, does not contradict him. This goes with the whole idea of love being the end of the law.

Received,
HURAY.... I know what you mean by being overlooked, I just glad to see someone else that can see it.

 

[atoborch]

As a student of martia arts, i have come to a deeper understanding of Meditation. I do it almost daily. It is a great way to foucs your engery on your goal whatever it maybe. When I was still running, I always had a better time after I meditated. Another trick that I use is to take music that is about the pace you want to breath and if it is not the right beat either to fast or two slow change the beat on you computer to the pace that it need to be and meditate to that, personaly i'm a big fan of doing this to worship music, but what ever get you in the praying mood. As a person that strugles with ADD it is a great way to not get side tracked in my parytime before I start reading the bible. Most unorthadox I agree but it seems to work. As a underview Meditation like most things is a-moral, neither sinfull or God prasing by it self. It is only what you do that makes it one or the other if you use it for a God pleasing end than it will be the tool in which you use or vice virsa.

 

[wonder111]

I watched a show the other day on Christian meditation centres, pretty interesting.

I think my signature says it for me "be still and know that I am God"

 

[Lyle]

Depends what kind, because there are in reality two different kinds that come to my mind..

A. To relax, consentrate and think deeper (Issac did this in the Bible).
B. A medium to enter into the spirit realm, to find the god within us and in that sense become gods.. This is more often used as pagan worship and in rituals.. Though it is commonly taught in today's world..

 

[SavedByGrace3]

I like to meditate myself to sleep on nights when I'm restless, nothing big, just concentrate on breathing until I get into a more relaxed state and I'm able to sleep. What exactly is the Christian position on meditation unrelated to Buddhism/Hinduism? Is it a sin?

I mediate while walking, driving, before going to sleep at night. The ultimate goal of meditation in Christianity it to commune with God.

Genesis 24:
63 KJV And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.

Joshua 1:
8 KJV This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Psalms 1:
2 KJV But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalms 63:
6 KJV When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.

Psalms 77:
12 KJV I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.

Psalms 119:
15 KJV I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Psalms 119:
23 KJV Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Psalms 119:
48 KJV My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Psalms 119:
78 KJV Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

Psalms 119:
148 KJV Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Psalms 143:
5 KJV I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.

1 Timothy 4:
15 KJV Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

Psalms 77:
5 KJV I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6 KJV I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.

 

[GuelahPapyrus]

As a student of martia arts, i have come to a deeper understanding of Meditation. I do it almost daily. It is a great way to foucs your engery on your goal whatever it maybe. When I was still running, I always had a better time after I meditated. Another trick that I use is to take music that is about the pace you want to breath and if it is not the right beat either to fast or two slow change the beat on you computer to the pace that it need to be and meditate to that, personaly i'm a big fan of doing this to worship music, but what ever get you in the praying mood. As a person that strugles with ADD it is a great way to not get side tracked in my parytime before I start reading the bible. Most unorthadox I agree but it seems to work. As a underview Meditation like most things is a-moral, neither sinfull or God prasing by it self. It is only what you do that makes it one or the other if you use it for a God pleasing end than it will be the tool in which you use or vice virsa.

I have pretty severe ADD myself, and I can definitely agree with you. It's hard for me to start meditating in the first place, but after a while and I get in a more relaxed state, I can actually pray more easily, without having my mind wander off from prayer. ALthough i dont have the time to do it all the time prayer itself is pretty hard because i cant stay on prayer, and i think of other things...then get restless and hyper which in turn makes it harder to focus

 

[vajradhara]

I like to meditate myself to sleep on nights when I'm restless, nothing big, just concentrate on breathing until I get into a more relaxed state and I'm able to sleep. What exactly is the Christian position on meditation unrelated to Buddhism/Hinduism? Is it a sin?

Namaste,

thank you for the post.

meditation is secular, it's not tied to any particular tradition.

for more information about Christian meditation, i would suggest that you check out the World Council for Christian Meditation here:
http://www.wccm.org/cm01.html

 

[atoborch]

meditation is secular, it's not tied to any particular tradition.

like most things in the world it is simply a tool, thus amoral

 

[vajradhara]

like most things in the world it is simply a tool, thus amoral

Namaste,

indeed... rather like a shovel or a trowel