As one who questions yoga and all things remotely New Age, meditation scares me.
I’m sorry, but if that is meditation, you’ll find me running in the opposite direction. Yes, I “enjoy an indestructible sense of well-being,” thank you, but only because I am upheld by Grace. No need to close my eyes and repeat mantras.
Then why does the Bible teach meditation?
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
Biblical meditation has nothing to do with self-awareness. It has everything to do with God-awareness.
Not an “induced mode of consciousness,” but a God-given ability to dwell on that which is eternal.
Not an “internal effort to self-regulate the mind,” but an intentional saturation of the mind with truth.
And so, day and night, we come to the Word of God to meditate. For unlike mental repetitions and bodily contortions, the Word can actually bring a deep sense of calm and healing to the soul.
It may mean we confine ourselves to hammock and breeze of mountain air so as to turn off the noise.
It may mean we fill idle moments with Word-songs until they’re stuck on repeat in our voices and ears.
It may mean that, as we read and study Scripture, we journal every Spirit-sent thought so that it’s burned forever in our hearts.
Whatever it takes to meditate – to center our minds on God and allow his Word to permeate our thinking and change our lives.
The result can only be genuine, lasting peace.
I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
I remember the days of old. I meditate on all that you have done.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.Selections from the Book of Psalms
[image credit: pixabay.com]
Journey of the Word 
Important post. If it was not for me repeatedly meditating on His mighty Word, I doubt I’d be alive today: it’s what tethered me through PTSD (https://joyofthespiritwithin.wordpress.com/2016/08/26/loyal-hes-holding-you-tight/). Then, turning His promises to Him in daring questions is what made the Word start to truly come alive in me: BOTH my mind AND my heart (https://joyofthespiritwithin.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/daring-questions/).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this. So much insight here. Things I had never considered. God is truly using you to help others grow stronger. I’m going back to my devo right now to do a little more meditation on God’s a Word. Much needed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
*Not God’s a Word (forget the a)
LikeLike
Thank you for linking up with Small Victories Linkup
Meditation is so important and I do think it helps.
LikeLike
Thought you’d enjoy reading this: http://unlockingthebible.org/five-steps-to-meditating-on-the-bible/
LikeLike
Yes, thank you!
LikeLike
I did meditation as part of my therapy for anxiety. What I did was find “the room in my head,” which was my dream room decorated the way I wanted it. This room was a dream, because I envisioned Jesus there. I received hugs and words to encourage me there. It worked and I found our relationship intensify.
I wanted to learn so much more about this man in my dream room.
Julie
LikeLike
Interesting. I would be curious to know where you got this idea of finding a dream room. Are you saying Jesus was there, but you wished you could learn more about him? Was that longing just in your dream or does it express a longing in your life? The meditation you describe is very different than the biblical meditation I’m referring to. As I said in the beginning of my article, I’m leery of any meditation that is not Scriptural. So I would be curious to know more about the experience you had and what led you to that point.
LikeLike
I agree with you whole heartedly. People can be so gullible to accept Yoga and new age meditation and think it is okay because they chose a Christian word to hum. Godly Meditation is thinking about God and His Word. Dr. Kenneth E. Hagin would say, Meditation is thinking about God’s word, and mumbling to yourself what God is saying to you about it. Softly and slowly repeating the scriptures. Thank you for sharing your inspiring post with us here at Tell me a Story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! I agree with your post so much! There is so much being taught today that is deceptive to young believers. Thanks for sharing at Together on Tuesdays 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You hit the nail on the head. Christian meditation should be focused on “God awareness.” When He is magnified in our lives through our focus on Him, God is glorified and we are thus blessed. Thanks for sharing at the #LMMLinkup.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your viewpoints with us on #FridayFrivolity
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not emptying our mind but filling it with Christ that is biblical meditation!
LikeLiked by 1 person