Christian Meditation
A second method of prayer is Christian Meditation. It is truly different in its approach from lectio divina and other forms of meditation where the mind is a vital component of the prayer. Christian Meditation is a contemplative approach to prayer that centers on silence. It hopes to eliminate, or at least quiet down, all thinking and the imagination during the period of prayer. The silence invites God to be active in our prayer. The spirit of poverty is the goal. We simply seek to create an emptiness that is the best invitation to the Spirit, where God prays within us. “In the same way the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.” (Rom 8:26)The individual is asked to silently repeat the holy word, maranatha, which means “the Lord will come.” The choice of the word is arbitrary, and it is important not to think of its meaning. The simple and slow repetition of the mantra has a clear goal: the creation of silence that suppresses the mind and imagination. This happens by drawing the focus to the holy word or mantra. The repetition connects to one’s breathing. The slow repetition of the word is the individual’s prayer.
The mind and imagination are the source of the distractions. There is a fear on the part of the ego that the silence will lead to the loss of the ego’s control. The gentle repetition of the mantra frees us to let go. We want to open space for God. Simplicity and emptiness need to be the goal. The repeating of the word symbolizes and encourages the faithful surrender to God. Our hope is that we grow in purity of heart with openness to God’s grace.
The prayer is experiential and practical. People need to start the journey and let the experience be the teacher. The purpose of the simple repetition of the mantra, maranatha, is to clear the mind, to get beyond thinking. We want to move from the head to the heart. We need to pay attention to how we say the mantra. Our effort should be calm but firm in our prayerful repetition. This clears the mind enough to make space for the Spirit. The highly recommended schedule for this prayer is twenty to thirty minutes in both the morning and evening. We must never forget that the final measure of effective prayer is a life more in tune with the values of the gospel, walking with Jesus.
How to Meditate
The most important thing to learn about meditation is to meditate. It is extraordinarily simple. This is the problem. Few believe that something so simple is so effective and transforming.To meditate, sit still and upright while seeking the awareness of God’s presence. As you relax, close your eyes. Slowly begin saying the mantra in four syllables. Do not think or imagine anything. As distractions come, return to the mantra softly but decisively. Even good thoughts are to be excluded. The target is twenty to thirty minutes in the morning and evening.
There are three simple goals to guide the two meditation periods each day:
1. Say the mantra for the complete time of the meditation. This is a skill. It will take time to create a habit.
2. Say the mantra throughout the meditation without interruption. The task here is to continually return as soon as possible from the persistent distractions that are the ego’s hunger for control.
3. In saying the mantra, let it draw you into the depths of your being, beyond thought, imagination, and all images. Rest in the presence of God dwelling in the depth of your heart.
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