Dn. Raphael The Importance of Meditation
Psalm 1:2
But his (the Godly person’s) delight is in the Law of the LORD, And on His Law he meditates day and night.
Meditation must be pretty important if it is advised to do day and night.
Hey Deacon. I can’t find the time to read the Bible and pray more than five minutes a day… if I’m lucky. How am I supposed to meditate day and night?
Don’t fret. Let’s start by defining meditation.
One definition is to ponder and reflect with self-talk.
Another is to hatch a plot—with God as your co-conspirator. That means to apply God’s word to your life.
Meditation for the Buddhist and other religions is an emptying of the mind.
In Christianity meditation is filling the mind… with the right kinds of thoughts from the Bible, writings of the early church fathers and other beneficial Christian Orthodox texts, and prayer. It can also include journaling and taking notes. When you do this, you are moving toward delight in the Law of the Lord aka the Word of God.
Meditation transforms your mind and actions. The Apostle Paul says it like this in Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
My time of meditation can be an hour or more. I begin with prayer. Sometimes it’s a short one. Sometimes it’s Morning Prayers from the little red, “Pocket Book of Prayer for Orthodox Christians.” The Morning Prayers can also be found in “The Orthodox Study Bible.”
Then I like to read from “The Bible and The Holy Fathers for Orthodox.” This is a thick book with the epistle and gospel readings for the day with commentary from various church fathers. I usually take notes, pray, and meditate on what I read and write.
Then I like to study a chapter from a book of the Bible I am reading. I take notes, write my impressions and thoughts, and use the “The Jewish New Testament Commentary.”
If I haven’t already prayed for others in Morning Prayers, I do it here.
Then I just sit and contemplate on my meditation activities. Whatever bubbles to the top of my head. Or that which stands out as I reread my notes. Sometimes I review my notes from other days.
At this point I am praying again. This time asking God questions, framing them in my thirsty mind. I am drinking the living water Jesus spoke of when he spoke with the Samaritan woman.
I like to ask God this question, “What does that look like?” For example, “What does meditation look like?” Sometimes I find answers to my questions online. Sometimes the act of thinking and double checking my Bible will answer my questions. Sometimes I call a friend to ask him what he thinks. Kinda like iron sharpens iron.
Deacon, you’re scaring me. I can’t do that much.
I get it. Most seem to feel the same.
First, I want you to know I’m not bragging. When I worked a full-time job—ran my own print business—I also found meditation hard to fit into my busy day. I gave it as much as I could. I’m retired now. I have more time for meditation.
Start out small and slowly add more. Here are some ideas to help you meditate day and night as the Psalmist advises:
- Throughout your day, dedicate each task to God. As you work turn your thoughts to God in meditation. You may have some tasks that don’t require much of your mind, such as stocking shelves.
- Turn off the radio while you’re driving. Pray or ponder a Bible verse you have memorized.
- Go to bed a half hour earlier so you can get up half an hour earlier to meditate.
- As you read the Bible or Church Fathers, write 2-3 things you want to think about on a 3×5 card. Use the back to write questions that surface while meditating. Find the answers when you get home.
- Figure out a reminder mechanism to meditate and pray. Some people use prayer ropes. Some people use the alarm clock feature on their cell phone as a reminder to meditate.
You’ll find meditation easier to do and more fulfilling when you make it a habit. At some point it will become a priority. If you miss a day, it won’t feel right. At that point you will be looking for more time and opportunities to meditate… because it’s a delight!