Post by Stephen on Jan 24, 2006 4:29:41 GMT -5
is meditation biblical?
Meditation. Is meditation a non-Christian practice? Or is meditation something the Bible clearly encourages us to do?
Many people view meditation as a means to develop their natural and psychic powers. In other cases, people practice meditation with the goal of self-relaxation. Whatever the case may be, the fact is, this kind of meditation -- that is, Eastern meditation -- is characterized by self-centered objectives. It employs techniques like concentrating on objects, exercising "controlled" breathing, and uttering mantras -- all this with the purpose of emptying the mind of all kinds of distractions which supposedly will enable a person to reach an altered state of consciousness, a state of harmony with himself and the universe.
Eastern meditation is very dangerous, to say the least, because it draws people away from God by encouraging them to look inwardly to themselves rather than to God. Additionally, the kind of meditation we are talking about right now is intimately tied to Eastern philosophies which run counter to biblical teaching. Not only that, but the notion of emptying one's mind opens up the possibility of demonic deception, manipulation, and yes, even possession.
Now, we have to be careful not to write off meditation itself simply because it's practiced by Eastern mystics. Keep in mind that the Bible in no uncertain terms encourages us to meditate on God's law day and night (Josh. 1:8)! However, biblical meditation doesn't involve looking within ourselves or emptying our minds for selfish reasons. Rather, it urges believers to contemplate and deeply reflect God's Person and faithfulness -- not only that, it also calls us to look to His Word (Psa. 119), and His creation (Psa. 19, 104). In fact, Christian meditation calls us to look upward and outward to God so that our minds may be filled with godly wisdom and insight, and so that our hearts may be filled with comfort, happiness, and joy. To echo the opening words of the Book of Psalms: "Blessed is the man...[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, who meditates on his law day and night." (Psa. 1:1-2 NIV). And remember, there is a quantum difference between getting into the Word of God and getting the Word into you -- so let me encourage you to hide God's Word in your heart.
Meditation. Is meditation a non-Christian practice? Or is meditation something the Bible clearly encourages us to do?
Many people view meditation as a means to develop their natural and psychic powers. In other cases, people practice meditation with the goal of self-relaxation. Whatever the case may be, the fact is, this kind of meditation -- that is, Eastern meditation -- is characterized by self-centered objectives. It employs techniques like concentrating on objects, exercising "controlled" breathing, and uttering mantras -- all this with the purpose of emptying the mind of all kinds of distractions which supposedly will enable a person to reach an altered state of consciousness, a state of harmony with himself and the universe.
Eastern meditation is very dangerous, to say the least, because it draws people away from God by encouraging them to look inwardly to themselves rather than to God. Additionally, the kind of meditation we are talking about right now is intimately tied to Eastern philosophies which run counter to biblical teaching. Not only that, but the notion of emptying one's mind opens up the possibility of demonic deception, manipulation, and yes, even possession.
Now, we have to be careful not to write off meditation itself simply because it's practiced by Eastern mystics. Keep in mind that the Bible in no uncertain terms encourages us to meditate on God's law day and night (Josh. 1:8)! However, biblical meditation doesn't involve looking within ourselves or emptying our minds for selfish reasons. Rather, it urges believers to contemplate and deeply reflect God's Person and faithfulness -- not only that, it also calls us to look to His Word (Psa. 119), and His creation (Psa. 19, 104). In fact, Christian meditation calls us to look upward and outward to God so that our minds may be filled with godly wisdom and insight, and so that our hearts may be filled with comfort, happiness, and joy. To echo the opening words of the Book of Psalms: "Blessed is the man...[whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, who meditates on his law day and night." (Psa. 1:1-2 NIV). And remember, there is a quantum difference between getting into the Word of God and getting the Word into you -- so let me encourage you to hide God's Word in your heart.