Meditation

[Mystic-als]

I was raised in a church that totally disregarded meditaion as a form of connecting with God. They told me that to clear your mind of everything was to make space for the devil to enter.

I am uncertain about the place in the bible where this comes from. So if anyone can help me with the scripture or even a good explination from a christian point of view of why meditaion is not good.
The more I read the bible the more I see the words Selah or meditate in it. Is this in a different context or does it have a different meaning to clearing your mind.

 

[Damien Sid Malery]

That is the most contradicting thing I have heard in a while. If one is clearing their mind would that not also include evil thoughts? That just doesn't make any sense.

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

I just gonna chime in sorry since this is a same faith debate. It truthfully matters type of meditation you are using. I use three types, none of which ascribe to a "quiet mind" none ascribe to nothingness. Oh and I've had pastors that used contemplative meditation on God to receive his will.

 

[Mystic-als]

So then it's not "clearing" your mind but rather filling it with more agreeable thoughts?

 

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

At first I let my thoughts flow through my mind and then just brought myself back to a simple thing like my posture. Then after time I was able to focus on one thing. Then I begin contemplating on a certain topic and let my mind wonder and brought my self back to the topic and started a new train of thought or I would just focus on that one thought until revelation. It could be God, compassion, verses you are having trouble with, a common everyday problem you need to work out. After a while I just let my thoughts flow uncontrollably and found a certain "feeling", for lack of a better word, I love. I have since then read a little bit more in depth about this subject and have found it best described as the essence of my mind. It's impossible to describe, but its nothing i've ever felt before and I am able to bring myself back to. I

That being said. My pastors would think of it as being a sort of connect with God. Kind of like praying, but allowing "God" speak to them about what to do. Not in a voice, but in a "soft hand of guidance" as one of my pastors put it.

Since these men took the Bible to be the infallible word of God I do not think that it was mentioned that it could not be practiced.

 

[XGraceX104]

I agree that there are different types of meditating. One way that I meditate is to clear my head of all worldly things and just talk to God and be in His presence. This is a good way to hear that "still small voice" of His.

Another way I meditate is to completely remove myself from distraction and sit/lay/kneel in the dark. Clear my head of everything and wait. This is my time that I listen for again that still, small voice to talk to me. But this is nothing that I am specifically asking for. This is the time for God to give me things that I would not have known otherwise. I might pray in tongues prior to this meditation session and wait for the answers.

And the other way I meditate is maybe on a specific thought. Maybe it is a dilemma I am facing or a specific scripture passage that I read. This is where I will think about it and not test it with my own experience or my own knowledge, but with God's wisdom and knowledge that He has given to all of us. This gives time for the Holy Spirit to really work in me and give me that full revelation of what to do or how to interpret something.

Those are ways that I meditate. Meditating is probably one of the best ways (besides studying the word, of course) that I know of to really let God take control of your thoughts and your life. I believe this quiet, peaceful, alone time with God is imperitive to living a joyous, blessed and ful-filling life.

I hope that helps you.

Grace & Peace,
Carrie

 

[Mystic-als]

If it is a focusing of thought and talking to God (whatever you see it to be) then is it not in fact the same as prayer?

 

[XGraceX104]

I believe that mediatation is a form of prayer. There are many types of prayer.

I pray, also in many different ways. Sometimes it will be a quick question or praise or something. Sometimes I just sit and talk my head off to Him about anything and everything going on in my head. Sometimes I am thanking Him for my day and sometimes I am asking for help. Sometimes it is the silent types, like I explained in how I meditate.


It is all what you want to do. God wants a willing heart. If you want to sit and think about something in His presence, do it. If you want to sit and talk with Him like you would your friend, go for it. God just wants your heart. He wants to be #1. He wants to be included in every detail of your life!! How you do that is essentially up to you!

 

[Sasa]

I think that many people consider meditation to be associated with New Age belief systems. This is unfortunate, because as a Christian I have found Meditation to be wonderful.

For those people who believe that a cleared mind will allow Satan to enter - pfft - trust me, he can enter a cluttered mind much more easily.

 

[Hacker]

I think that many people consider meditation to be associated with New Age belief systems. This is unfortunate, because as a Christian I have found Meditation to be wonderful.

For those people who believe that a cleared mind will allow Satan to enter - pfft - trust me, he can enter a cluttered mind much more easily.

:shout Well said!

 

[Mystic-als]

I agree, But the way meditation is portrayed these days in the movies (general education) is something buddists, karate guys and loonies do.

This is very unfortunate, because it is a great life tool to become better as a person and more in touch with what the great divine wants from us.

 

[ChrisP]

I'm sorry for intruding, but as a former Christian and a current practitioner of mind-no mind I have one question that I hope can be answered.

In the OP you've requested Biblical scriptural reference for this claim (from wherever it comes).

At this point there has been nothing beyond "my pastor/spiritual leader says so"

Are there any scriptures that prohibit no-mind meditation?

 

[finalfrogo]

I was raised in a church that totally disregarded meditaion as a form of connecting with God. They told me that to clear your mind of everything was to make space for the devil to enter.

I don't know much about meditation in Christianity, but it may have been just an expression of contempt or a warning against eastern religions which heavily endorse meditation.

 

[michel]

I think that many people consider meditation to be associated with New Age belief systems. This is unfortunate, because as a Christian I have found Meditation to be wonderful.

For those people who believe that a cleared mind will allow Satan to enter - pfft - trust me, he can enter a cluttered mind much more easily.

Very well said! I personally use meditation as a 'focus', and as a way of concentrating. As you say, the cluttered mind is easy prey.

 

[Mystic-als]

ChrisP - That is why I asked the question. Because I cant find anything in the bible that tells us not to meditate. This is why I asked for scripture.

 

[MaddLlama]

I agree, But the way meditation is portrayed these days in the movies (general education) is something buddists, karate guys and loonies do.

This is very unfortunate, because it is a great life tool to become better as a person and more in touch with what the great divine wants from us.

Also jumping in, I apologize but this struck me as odd. What exactly do you mean by "loonies"?
Meditation, as it is popular today, comes from the eastern traditions and not western ones, so obviously that is the context you will see it in. That doesn't mean that people who follow western religions should be forbidden to meditate, but I think that it's important to honor the origins of the traditions and rituals you do.

 

[Mystic-als]

Loonies to me means people who are mad to some extent. But it is no mentally handicaped or Downsyndrome people.
On some TV programs or in movies its usually the stupid people that meditate. This is bordering on offensive to me. As I have found meditaion to be a huge turning point in my life.

As to your comment MaddLlama. I totally agree. You can never really know a thing or practice it fully without knowing it's origin or roots.

 

[ChrisP]

ChrisP - That is why I asked the question. Because I cant find anything in the bible that tells us not to meditate. This is why I asked for scripture.

But this has been turned into concentrated meditation not mindless meditation? Is there a distinction made in scripture? Is there anyone who can answer this?