Soul Care - Meditation

by Mary Elsbury

During my college days, I studied Psychology as part of my Social Work degree. One of my professors was into relaxation techniques to use with individuals that were highly stressed. In the early ‘70s, eastern religions and New Age was the thing. At the time, his favorite methodology was transcendental meditation (TM). This method involves sitting silently in a comfortable position, closing the eyes, relaxing the body, and concentrating one's thoughts only on breathing and the mantra. Practitioners were said to report feelings of peace, well-being, and a deep sense of relaxation. Some describe their experience as "a loss of sense of self and a union with things around them." This sense of oneness is the ultimate goal of the meditation experience. 

Needless to say, I disagreed with the professor about many things, but this one took the cake. 

For Christians, whose goal is to center on God and grow closer to him, mindfulness and other secular meditation methods promote an unhealthy degree of self-focus. We are constantly reminded in Scripture to “fix our eyes on Jesus,” and to look to God for wisdom and guidance. 

Christian meditation involves quieting the body while actively concentrating one's thoughts on the Lord, his Word, his will, and his ways. The motivation is never to achieve self-enlightenment, self-awareness, or even loss of self and union with things around them. The Apostle Paul reminds us that Eve was led astray by focusing on the serpent rather than God (2 Corinthians 11:3). 

Prayerful meditation is more powerful and effective than secular mindfulness techniques because prayer puts us in communication with the God of all peace:  

Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7, NLT

In our busy culture, speed is the thing – fast food, road rage, first impressions, even skimming news to get a quick fix. Meditation slows us down and gives attention to God. The book of Psalms is filled with words like “reflection” and “ponder” that encourages us to develop a love for looking to God for sustenance. It allows us to escape the noise around us, and experience peace that only comes from the Father. 

If you are interested in developing meditation into your routine, I suggest using the Lectio Divina. Find a short passage of Scripture (example Isaiah 43:1-5). First, Read the passage slowly. Ask the question, “what word or phrase seems to shimmer, as if it was reaching out to me?” Hold this word in your heart. Second, after considering the word or phrase, read the passage again and this time, ask, “why was I drawn to that word or phrase?” What are you feeling? Is there a specific situation that relates in your life right now? Third, after some reflection, read the passage again. This time ask, “what might God’s invitation be from this Scripture? And how might I wish to respond? Fourth, after considering God’s invitation to you from Scripture, simply rest in the goodness of God and His faithfulness to you.  

Meditation is another weapon in our arsenal to defeat the devil and give praise to God.