The Bible mentions 23 occurrences of some translation of meditate: 19 of them appear in the Psalms, and of the 23, 20 refer specifically to meditating on the Lord in some way. We are told to meditate on his actions, law, or testimonies – all of which are found within his Word.
Where in the Bible is meditation mentioned?
The first time meditation is used in our Bibles is in Genesis 24:63. This Hebrew word is suwach. Strong’s gives the translation as: “to meditate, muse, commune, speak, or complain”. From the New Testament, we see the apostles actually using the Greek word for “meditate” in their letters.
What is a good verse to meditate on?
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” James 1:2-3 “2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Is meditation allowed in Christianity?
Teresa of Avila, viewed Christian meditation as a necessary step toward union with God, and wrote that even the most spiritually advanced persons always needed to regularly return to meditation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church encourages meditation as a form of prayer: “Meditation is above all a quest.
Is meditation a form of prayer?
Per the Oxford Dictionary of World Religions, “prayer” is “the relating of the self or soul to God in trust, penitence, praise, petition, and purpose, either individually or corporately” and “meditation” is “a form of mental prayer.”
What is meditation on God’s word?
To meditate, then, is to think deeply about what God has said to us in the Bible and to prepare our minds and hearts for prayer. Scripture is the foundation of our praying; meditation readies us for it by helping us focus, understand, remember, worship, and apply.
What does meditation do spiritually?
Spiritual meditation makes you realize the eternal truth and let go of all that had happened and will happen. The present is where you want to be and find solace in. The need to practice spiritual meditation comes from an innate longing to see and think beyond the chaotic world surrounding you.
What does the Bible say about mindfulness meditation?
Mindfulness exists as a concept within all major world religions, including Christianity. The Bible consistently exhorts us to exercise disciplined attentiveness to our minds and hearts, to set aside our attachment to ourselves, and to live in the awareness of God’s moment-to-moment provision.
How do you meditate in Psalms?
Pray and ask God to speak to you through his Word. Pick one chapter of Scripture to read. After you read, select one verse that impacted you as you read. Meditate on one word, phrase, or the entire verse for at least ten minutes.
How do you meditate on the Bible throughout the day?
Try Bible journaling or prayer journaling– even if you’re not an artist or a writer. Quote Scripture out loud to banish fear, worry, anxiety and to harness God’s peace. Keep a Scripture art print in a prominent place in your home. Pray Scripture as you clean your home.
Why is it important to meditate on the word of God?
Meditating on the word of God helps us understand how to apply it in our lives. As Paul told Timothy, the Holy Scriptures are “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus … that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15, 17).
How many times is meditation in the Bible?
The word “meditate” is found in the Bible nearly 20 times, depending on the translation you use. When meditation is listed in the Bible, it refers to meditating on God’s commands or character. Joshua 1:8 NLT teaches us the “why” of Christian meditation: “Study this Book of Instruction continually.
Is there a dark side to meditation?
Willoughby Britton, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry and human behavior at Brown University agrees, noting that the potential negative effects of meditation—including fear, panic, hallucinations, mania, loss of motivation and memory, and depersonalization—can be distressing at best and debilitating at worst.
What does God say about chakras?
While chakras aren’t mentioned specifically in the Bible, we can see that it is possible that just as God created our bodies with pathways for energy to flow (nerves, blood, lymph, meridians). He also created these energy centers throughout the body to receive and transmit energy messages.
How do I contact God through meditation?
- Get Quiet. Begin by sitting in a posture as for meditation.
- Greet and Offer Praise. Spend a moment or two setting the stage with a prayer of invocation or praise, or an offering of gratitude.
- Speak Your Truth.
- Connect.
- Make a request.
- Let Go.
- Immerse Yourself in the Sacred.
What religion believes in meditation?
The five major religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all practice forms of meditation. Meditation plays a part in all aspects of Indian spiritual life, to greater and lesser degrees depending on the individual practitioner, his or her chosen path and stage of life.
Is it OK to pray while meditating?
“One of the purposes of prayer and meditation is to regain our footing so that we can step out into the world and take positive action: we reconnect, re-center, recharge and gain the strength necessary to take steps that will create real change. In other words, prayer is the fuel that lights the fire of action.”
How do Christians meditate?
One way we meditate as Christians is through the practice of Lectio Divina, meditating on scripture to have a fruitful conversation with God. You can also meditate on sacred art through the practice of Visio Divina, or meditate on moments of Jesus’ life while praying the Rosary.
How do I meditate on Jesus?
After a minute, begin to gently recite the Jesus Prayer in your mind, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” Breathe in by saying “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,” recognizing that Jesus is residing within your inner world in this very moment.
How do I meditate on God’s promises?
Can you meditate lying down?
“In general, any meditation can be done seated and upright or else lying down,” says Atluri. But some lend themselves especially well in a lying-down position. Keep these benefits of meditation in mind. They may motivate you to keep up with meditation while lying down or in bed.
How long should I meditate per day?
Mindfulness-based clinical interventions such as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) typically recommend practicing meditation for 40-45 minutes per day. The Transcendental Meditation (TM) tradition often recommends 20 minutes, twice daily.
What is the first step of meditation?
- Sit upright comfortably.
- Breathe deeply.
- Gently close your eyes.
- Slowly scan your body, and notice any sensations.
- Be aware of any thoughts you are having.
- When your mind wanders, focus on your breath.
- Gently open your eyes when you are ready.
What does God say about being mindful?
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
Can too much meditation be harmful?
Meditation and mindfulness can cause some negative side effects in some who practice. In a new study, 6% of participants who practiced mindfulness reported negative side effects that lasted for more than a month. These effects can disrupt social relationships, sense of self, and physical health.