Meditation is one of those words with a dictionary worth of connotation.
The mere utterance conjures up images of a little bald dude in a large orange robe, barefoot and cross legged, trying to get in touch with his “inner-self” while humming to the tune of “in the jungle, the mighty jungle.” As much as this may be a convenient stereotype of our Tibetan friends, the practice has a bit more to it.
Meditation is not just an eastern-religion thing. It’s a God-thing too. The thing to note is, the two are pretty much completely opposite.
In short, eastern meditation (Hinduism, Buddhism etc) is all about reaching a point of mindlessness. The obvious problem with trancing out in your own nothingness is that you leave your mind pretty darn vulnerable to pretty dodgy spiritual forces.
On the other hand, the Bible talks of meditation in a number of places. The significant difference is that it’s always a conscious study of God’s Word and His character, not a state of mindlessness. Like the cow that brings up its food to chew over once more, we reflect on things we read in the Bible, seeking its application in our lives. Biblical meditation is not just a once-over-read during breakfast, but a full submersion in the Word of God.
Word to check out: Joshua 1:8, Psalm 77:12, 1 Peter 5:8, Philippians 4:8.
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