I was raised in the South. Like me, all of my friends and family were Christians. The denominations varied, but the core of it remained. All that we knew was what we knew and when something…different…came along, then it was to be regarded very carefully.
In retrospect, it’s no wonder that when my 23-year-old self pranced into my parent’s house exclaiming the joys of meditation, I got the head-cocked-to-the-side stare. However, I’m the rebellious, will-try-anything-once, black sheep of the family. So, understandably, they shook their heads, brushed it off, and changed the subject.
Fast forward two years. I was chatting with my stepfather, raving about an upcoming retreat that I’ll be participating in later in the year. I was going on and on about the gives of the trip: meditation sessions, yoga and dance, three deliciously prepared meals per day, beach excursions, and the whole nine. He listened (I think), and then afterwards warned me to be careful. Of what? A shark attack? “No, of being converted.”
I mentally sorted through all that I’d told him and couldn’t think of how, in the whole wide world, he saw “the danger of conversion” in anything that I’d told him. He went on to clarify. “That meditation and stuff. They’ll take you out on that island, have you chanting all kind of stuff, and praying to the wrong god. The scripture says that…”
I was in awe. Before I knew it, my thoughts spun out of control and reverted to a number of conversations with longtime friends and family. Whenever I would mention my spiritual journey, the responses were never curious, interested, or approving. I had to ask myself: Is this the Christian perception of meditation?
Do Christians equate meditating to a violation of the First Commandment?
Could this be the reason that so many Christians have burning questions that must be deferred until they meet their maker?
As we all know, communication works two ways: talking and listening. When we pray, we’re talking to God. For the most part, we’re either making requests and/or showing appreciation. Then, we’re told to wait. You are to pray until something happens.
That never sat right with me and when I began meditating, a new world was revealed to me. All of my questions had been answered. Even more shocking:
I discovered that all of my answers were there in my heart all along.
It was there in the scripture all along as well; Psalms 4:4 instructs us to search our hearts and be silent. That’s exactly what meditating is: quieting our tongues and minds, going within, and searching our hearts.
There, in my own heart, I learned that:
- God could never forsake me because God dwells within me.
- There’s a difference between praying inward, upward and outward.
- Power doesn’t come to us. Power is already here. All we have to do is tap into it.
- As soon I as gained the courage to fulfill my life’s purpose, then every resource that I would ever need to do so would be supplied.
- After I pray (talk to God), then I need to meditate (listen to God).
Since, my life has never been the same. It is one of my greatest wishes that we all, Christians included, unearth the beauty of meditation.
What are your thoughts? Feel free to share. I’ll give you a penny 🙂