Meditation is against christianity?

[Albalida]

Prayer is talking to God.

Meditation is listening to God.

Or meditation is emptying your mind so that Satan can possess your body because you did something vainglory and godless for the worship of the flesh and the world, I forget which. ;)


Seriously, though, some prayer can be meditative. Perhaps the objection is with the term "meditation" because it indicates that what you do was refined by another culture, associated with another philosophy and religion. But I wouldn't listen to accusations of cultural appropriation from xenophobes.

Originally Posted by Albalida

[COLOR="Red]Or meditation is emptying your mind so that Satan can possess your body[/color][color="Blue"] because you did something vainglory and godless for the worship of the flesh and the world, I forget which. ;)

Good point, this is also what I was thinking ...
Your family members might be thinking this is what happens during meditation & either forgot or are not aware of the part highlighted in blue ...
Rather than explaining/ defending your reason(s) for meditation lovingly ask each one what they do to listen to God, for peace of mind, as quiet reflection - however you want to preface your question ...
In asking questions, they will be thinking out loud ...
In doing so, hopefully they might be able to see what they do/their practice & meditation are similar, if not related - done for the same reason(s) ...

[Celera]

The Old Testament particularly has numerous references to meditation, especially in Psalms. We are encouraged to meditate on God's law, on the goodness of God, and in Philippians Paul says "Whatever is true, honorable etc, think on these things" which seems very suggestive of meditation.

Meditation was not a word much used among Evangelical Christians for much of the 20th century, so when Eastern versions of meditation became popular it seemed like something a Christian shouldn't do. But I think that is a misunderstanding. If past lives seems inconsistent with your christian beliefs, don't meditate on that.

[Riboflavin]

Solo kum, Christians have been meditating for thousands of years, and meditation itself predates Christianity. Some evangelicals don't want people to meditate because of it's association with eastern religions.

Most of these modern day "churches" are new organizations that have only sprung up in the last century. They have no history of their own and badmouth every other christian tradition as well as other religions.

Also, if your in a "religion" that thinks everything is an "anti-christ" or "the devil" then your probably in a brainwashing cult. I would either try to get out fast if I could or if your parents are in it then to go along with everything they say and never question anything. If you do you will be shunned and outcasted. IMO the truth isn't worth losing your parents over.

Meditation that is 'good' and 'relaxing' for Souls is great if one benefits the 'good' for their Soul, Heart, Mind and Body ie "God is Good and Loving". I don't given that my Soul, Heart, Mind and Body is more restful praying and it brings me closer to God. However, other people find meditation beneficial to them and anything that is 'good and great' for us is fine.

At the end of our day the most important things are to (i) believe in Him, (ii) follow His Commandments to the best of our abilities, (iii) to ask for forgiveness when we have sinned/broken His Commandments, (iv) be kind in our thoughts and in our actions to our Brothers and Sisters in Christ, (v) if possible to receive Him (His Holy Eucharist) through our Churches (go by His New Testament as His Holy Guide) through His Holy Appointed as His Most Loving Guides interpreting His Scriptures if at all possible.

Love and wishes

However many people have already studied His Holy Scriptures (Miss H I know you have mentioned this previously on a Thread) and have gone into profound levels of your Faith and Holy Relationship with Jesus/God.

For the first time I read about Howard Storm's NDE, a Minister/Pastor in the U.S? (never been into these) with the exception of my M.I.Law's experience. I noted that Howard said he was told by God's Holy Beings/Angels that if one opens Jesus' Bible and selects a Reading asking God to explain His Holy Message, that He will.

Spot on. Over the years (and in particular last year) this happened to me continually and I was guided (after asking Him) if He could show me sins of my past through His Bible in order for me to ask for forgiveness and heal (from my past/Childhood and Adulthood) and assist me in His correct interpretation of His Holy Scriptures.

Apols for going off track in relation to meditation although it is related given we need to sit and be quiet (meditation) in order to be in Holy Communion and come closer to God.

Love and wishes

[Miss Hepburn]

...we need to sit and be quiet (meditation) in order to be in Holy
Communion and come closer to God.

- Starofthesea

Yup. He is in the silence and stillness, the calm waters...so subtle, we must be
empty to have our cup filled....how can we be filled with chatter going on...
There is no room for Him.
Pure logic.

This is such a good point to raise. My opinion is, through prayer we call God into action, whereas when we meditate, we empty ourselves and let God enter within and through us. Both are equally important.

Although the practice of meditation is not taught within Christianity, there is elements to God that a busy mind cannot take you. It is hard to build a momentum with, especially within this western world. However, once you sustain that peace and you are constantly unmoved in God. Who is to know?

A really good book that I found helped me understand in how meditation is used within the concepts of christianity, is a book called Prayer and Meditation by Jesus and Kuthumi. An old book. You could pick it up cheap online if you wanted it.

I hope this helps.

David

[Jatd]

My Christian church also believes Mediation is wrong, and evil. I; however, still meditate. I have come to realize that on their part this is just pure ignorance. They get angry at, and shun anything they do not understand - which is a little frustrating for me, but I try not to judge either way. I more or less continue about my own way and trust my inner knowing and voice to guide me. Trust yourself and don't let anyone else sway you on how YOU feel.

[Amilius777]

How can meditation be against Christianity when meditation is listening to God, praying is speaking to God?

Prayer and Meditation is what molded Jesus' life.

How else do you describe Jesus' conversations with the Father on a daily basis?

Was he someone hearing "voices" in his head like a crazy person?

Or was he communing with the Father?

The New Testament talks about Jesus going to mountains and outside the busy world at times. But why?

To meditate on the Father, the first Person of the Trinity.

All the Catholic Saints were mediators. I don't understand the issue.

If you mean Yogic technique meditations- then yes they are considered dangerous. Do I think they are? Probably not. But it is said that you can do a lot of damage to your psyche with yogic techniques if you are not saintly to begin with.

But meditation and prayer are the ways of receiving and giving with God.