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Meditation is a wonderful tool, and I hope you either already use it or begin to after reading this article. Does stress seem to be sucking the life out of you, becoming increasingly inescapable as the months and years go by? Are situations overwhelming you to the point that you feel you have no resting place? Do you feel like the world needs to stop spinning for just one moment, so you can take a deep breath and relax? Does your inner person feel like it is crying out for something different, but you do not know what to do about it? These can all be warning signs that you are suffering from internal conflict or burnout, and now is a great time to stop the confusion and torment.
What is Meditation?
Since ancient times, and continuing into the present, meditation has been practiced by people in nearly every culture. During this practice, focus is typically placed either on one individual thought, or on no thought at all. In Eastern mysticism, meditation is often used to empty oneself in an effort to unite with the infinite universe, which is believed to be our natural state. Christian meditation stems from a different goal. Christian meditation seeks to quiet the self from the cares of the world for the purpose of uniting with the Lord. It is a time during which we decrease stimuli from the world around us in order to focus on our spiritual relationship with God. By practicing sensitivity to him instead of simply obeying the impulses of our own urges and sensory input, we poise ourselves to be easily led by his still, small voice.
How to Meditate Using Scriptures
Christian meditation has been practiced by thousands of godly people, for hundreds and hundreds of years. This means you do not need to figure out from scratch how to do it, which is a big blessing. One ancient form is called lectio divina, and serves as an excellent model you can use alone or in a group setting. Here are the stages:
Lectio (reading/listening)
Choose a text from Scripture (e.g., John, Psalms, if you are looking for a starting place). The goal is NOT to cover a certain amount of text; instead, this is a time to slow down and listen. Find a comfortable position, and take a moment to become silent. Breathe easily and deeply, not rushed. Read slowly, not focusing on the bigger picture, but on what strikes you. Consider a word or phrase that stands out, whether or not you understand why it does so.
Meditatio (meditation)
Let the word or phrase digest into the deepest part of yourself. Slowly repeat it, and as memories or thoughts interact with the scripture you are repeating, allow this ‘rumination’ process to form your dialog with God.
Oratio (prayer)
Speak to God, using the impressions that have now begun to take on some form of meaning. You have allowed his still, small voice to speak to you, using scriptures, which you now offer back to him in your dialog.
Contemplatio (contemplation)
You are in a relaxed place, so now rest. Words might not be necessary here, even internally. Allow him to envelop you, as you feel his presence. Allow yourself to take joy in the communication exchange that has taken place.
Let me encourage you to continue this dialog daily. Relationships thrive with communication, and our relationship with the Lord is no exception.
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