WHAT IS MEDITATION?

Enter by the narrow gate…  Jesus; Matt 7:13-14

Meditation means literally to stay in the centre. By being attentive with our whole being to a word or phrase we become centred and still in body and mind, so that the spirit can grow.

The methods outlined below are three of the most common aids to stilling the mind.

a) Concentration on breathing; this keeps your concentration in the present moment: the only gateway to higher consciousness.

b) Mantra – mantras are words that, by their vibrational qualities link us with higher levels of consciousness.  Om is well known to many; Amen is its Christian equivalent. For more on mantra meditation click here.

c) Focusing on an object:  gazing at a candle flame or sacred picture.

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Meditation is pure prayer although it doesn’t replace other forms of pray.

Prayer itself is more than speaking to or thinking about God.  It is being with God.

There is nothing simpler than meditation.  There are no difficult theories or techniques, it is simple fidelity.  There should be no expectations.

Meditation is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition.  It brings us into union with the spirit of Christ and opens us to Christ praying within us.

Meditation is a work of selflessness because it takes the attention off the ego.

The root of distraction is self consciousness.  With meditation we leave self behind.

Early Christians believed you live as you pray and that if you cannot understand the silence of Christ you will not be able to understand his words.

Reciting the mantra brings us to stillness; we come into the eternal silence of God.  The mystery of God absorbs us.

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The Governor on his travels stepped in to pay homage to the Master.

“Affairs of State leave me no time for lengthy dissertations.” He said.  “Could you put the essence of religion into a paragraph or two for a busy man like me?”

“I shall put it into a single word for the benefit of Your Highness.”

“Incredible!  What is that unusual word?”

“Silence.”

“And what is the way to Silence?”

“Meditation.”

“And what , may I ask, is meditation?”

“Silence.”     One Minute Wisdom  Anthony de Mello