Guided Meditation And Christianity: Exploring The Safe Practice

There are many different types of meditation, and while some are incompatible with Christian teachings, others are not only compatible but actively encouraged.

Meditation is about practicing self-awareness or mindfulness. It involves relaxation techniques that help a person focus their attention and still their body. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes it as a mind and body practice that increases relaxation and improves overall well-being.

Meditation has become increasingly common in secular settings, such as workplaces and schools, as a way to de-stress and improve mental health.

Some Christians are wary of meditation because of its association with non-Christian religions and the potential for it to be misused. However, when approached in a wise, biblical way, it can be argued that meditation is not only safe for Christians but can also help them to deepen their connection with God.

The Bible contains many references to meditation and the importance of reflecting on Scripture. For example, in Matthew 6:6, Jesus instructs his followers to pray in a private, quiet place, creating the perfect atmosphere for meditation.

So, while Christians should be cautious about the type of meditation they engage in, it can be a safe and beneficial practice when rooted in Scripture and focused on connecting with God.

Mindfulness meditation

When meditating, become aware of your breath, attuning to the sensation of air moving in and out of your body as you breathe. Feel your belly rise and fall as the air enters your nostrils and leaves your nostrils. Pay attention to the temperature change when the breath is inhaled versus when it's exhaled. The goal is not to stop your thoughts but to get more comfortable becoming the "witness" to the thoughts. When thoughts come up in your mind, don't ignore or suppress them. Simply note them, remain calm, and use your breathing as an anchor. Imagine your thoughts as clouds passing by; watch them float by as they shift and change.

Secular meditation

The practice involves bringing one's attention to the present moment. It is about noticing thoughts and feelings and anchoring oneself in the breath, to quiet the mind, reduce stress, and cultivate awareness.

> ...an attempt to appreciate the deep mystery of being alive and to acknowledge being vitally connected to all that exists... I like to think of mindfulness simply as the art of conscious living. You don’t have to be a Buddhist or a yogi to practice it. In fact, if you know anything about Buddhism, you will know that the most important point is to be yourself and not try to become anything that you are not already.

Kabat-Zinn's approach to secular mindfulness has been supported and furthered by neuroscientist, author, and meditation advocate, Sam Harris, who believes that:

> Whatever is true about mindfulness and meditation and any introspective methodology that will deliver truths about the nature of consciousness is non-sectarian. It’s no more Buddhist than physics is Christian.

Spiritual meditation

There are many types of spiritual meditation, including:

• Hindu japa mala and mantra meditation
• Sufi dhikr or remembrance of God
• Jewish kabbalistic practices
• Loving-kindness or metta meditation in Buddhism
• Marananussati bhavana or reflection on one’s mortality in Theravada Buddhism
• Zazen meditation in Zen Buddhism
• Trance states in Shamanistic traditions
• Christian contemplative prayer

• Choose a comfortable position: Find a place and position where you will be comfortable. Stay away from city noises and surround yourself with nature if possible. Close your eyes lightly.
• Experience the process: Let go of your usual urge to plan and execute tasks in a controlled manner. Instead, be a passive spectator and let the process happen on its own.
• Acknowledge the thoughts: Allow thoughts to come and go without reacting to them.
• Focus on your breath: Observe your breath as it goes in and out.
• Reflect on yourself: Turn your attention to your body and your presence in the space. Observe how your body feels. Relax completely and stay calm.
• Open your eyes: Slowly open your eyes and sit in the same position for some time. Let the effects of meditation sink in.

• Relaxation and stress reduction
• Improved sleep
• A sense of inner peace and bliss
• A stronger sense of self and self-acceptance
• Increased creativity and self-esteem
• A more balanced sense of being

Lectio Divina

The practice has four steps: Lectio (read), Meditatio (reflect), Oratio (respond), and Contemplatio (rest). At each step, the chosen verse of Scripture is read again.

Firstly, a passage of Scripture is read, and its meaning is reflected upon. This is followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God. The focus of Lectio Divina is not a theological analysis of biblical passages but viewing them with Christ as the key to their meaning. For example, instead of analysing why Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27), the practitioner of Lectio Divina enters and shares the peace of Christ. The focus is on achieving peace via a closer communion with God rather than a biblical analysis of the passage.

The second step involves meditating upon and pondering the scriptural passage. When the passage is read, it is generally advised not to try to assign a meaning to it at first, but to wait for the action of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the mind, as the passage is pondered upon.

The third step is to respond in prayer. The fourth and final step is to rest in God's embrace. Be still and contemplate what gift God has given you to take away from this prayer.

A Safe Practice

Christian meditation vs Eastern mysticism

While meditation has gained popularity in recent years, it has developed a bad reputation in Christian circles. However, it is worth noting that meditation practices can be found in many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Christian Meditation

Christian meditation is about practicing self-awareness or mindfulness and involves relaxation techniques where a person focuses their attention and stills their body. It is about becoming more self-aware by paying attention to thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment or engagement.

Christian meditation is often guided and can include reading and reflecting on Scripture, prayer, and deep breathing. It is a way to contemplate God's Word more deeply and connect with Him.

Eastern Mysticism

Eastern religions, including Buddhism and Hinduism, view meditation as an inner journey to find the center of one's being. The goal is often to reach a state of enlightenment, peace, and happiness, or to achieve a sense of unity with the cosmos.

Eastern meditation practices may include movement linked to yoga, mindfulness meditation, focused meditation, mantra meditation (using repetitive sounds like "om"), and transcendental meditation.

Comparison

Both Christian and Eastern meditation emphasize the need to turn away from "outward things" and focus inward. However, Christian meditation is ultimately about connecting with God through His Word, while Eastern meditation is about finding one's true self or achieving unity with the universe.

While Eastern meditation may be seen as having secular or horizontal focus, Christian meditation is vertical, emphasizing the relationship between the individual and God. Christian meditation is also often more verbal and guided, while Eastern meditation may emphasize silence and stillness.

Both Christian and Eastern meditation practices offer benefits such as improved mental well-being and reduced stress. However, as a Christian, it is important to approach meditation in a way that aligns with biblical teachings and keeps the focus on God, avoiding any practices that may contradict one's faith.

Frequently asked questions