Thoughts on Meditation

Thoughts on Meditation

Meditation:                to reflect upon; ponder; contemplate; to plan or intend in the mind; a devotional exercise of contemplation; a contemplative discourse, usually on a religious or philosophical subject.

v  Meditation is very practical and rational.

v  It is the process of raising our consciousness to a higher plane to allow us to commune with God.

v  Meditation is heavily dependent upon listening, openness and willingness.

v  Meditation seeks the interconnectedness of life (Eastern mindset – the symbol of the circle of life).

v  Meditation resists linear thinking (Western mindset – the straight line).

Preparation for Meditation

v  Breathing

v  Centering

v  Eliminating distractions and the outside

v  Filtering

v  Focusing

v  Inward contemplation

v  Listening

v  Raising consciousness

v  Reflecting

Defining a Subject for Meditation

v  Choose a verse of scripture

v  Define a pressing problem

v  Choose a  theme or person

v  Ask a question

v  Success

v  Failure

v  Sorrow

v  Event

v  Emotion

v  Feeling

v  Thought

v  Who

v  What

v  When

v  Where

v  When

v  How

The activities of Meditation

v  Writing

v  Brainstorming

v  Sitting and thinking

v  Drawing

v  Painting

v  Visualization

v  Active imagination – Ephesians 3:18-21

v  Sculpting

v  Day dreaming

Meditation occurs within the monotony of life.

v  Running and other forms of exercise

v  Mowing the lawn

v  Driving

v  Laundry

v  Washing the car

v  Washing the dishes

v  Cleaning the house

v  Other types of “mindless” activities

Daily experience of Meditation

v  Be guided by the foregoing suggestions on the daily discipline of prayer.

The necessity of imagination and creativity

v  Take time to listen and be empowered

v  Be patient

v  Embrace nature – walks in the park, scenic drives, vacation, daily play

v  Use the Sabbath

v  Break out of the box in your thinking and approaches

v  Expect a revelation of some sort – Habakkuk 2:1-4

v  Utilize technology (TV, computers, music, radio, etc.) – realize that these are double-edged swords because they possibly create multiple stimuli that interfere with the process.

Learn the beauty of silence and the wealth of solitude.

v  Seek external quiet

v  Listen for the voice within you

v  Focus on you and you alone

v  Receive the peace that God only gives to those who seek it.