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Christian Meditation
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)
"In the Christian tradition, the experience of
prayer, the experience of meditation, is of unity, of oneness. It is an
experience that changes the whole of our perception of reality.
We see reality as a whole, unified by the basic energy of the cosmos,
which is the energy of love. This is the message of the truth that sets
us free."
John Main, Moment of Christ, p. 41. |
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What is Christian Meditation?
Christian Meditation is a
prayer of Stillness. The body and mind are completely silent and still. "Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10
In the stillness we bow in faith before the majesty of God who can reveal His unlimited love for us. Meditation is a simple direct method of making us present to God in love. | |
Christian Meditation is a Prayer of Faith. It is more
important to experience its power in our lives than to try to
understand or explain it. It is unlike other forms of meditation with
which you may be familiar. Here there are no words, no thoughts, no
concepts, no images. We pray with Jesus dwelling within us. It is no
longer 'our' prayer for "we do not know how to pray." - Romans 8
The basis of the Prayer is the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit. Deep within all of us dwells the Blessed Trinity.
At the depth
of our being the Father continually loves the Son while the Son
responds to the Father in love and prayer through the Holy Spirit. In
our Prayer of Meditation we desire to be part of the love and prayer of
Jesus to the Father. Rather than think up words or aspirations or
images of our own, we wish to unite ourselves with the loving prayer
going on continuously within us. In this prayer we also seek to open
ourselves completely to the Holy Spirit that He may bring about in us
conversion, repentance and faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ.
How to Meditate
- Sit down with your feet firmly on the ground, your hands resting on your knees, your back as straight as possible.
- Take some deep breaths or listen to some music. This will help focus your attention.
- Close your eyes gently. Begin to say in your heart (or in your mind) your prayer-word or mantra.
The word we recommend is "MARANATHA" - "Come Lord." (This lovely Aramaic phrase is the earliest known prayer of a Christian community.) Slowly, reverently and lovingly, say it as four distinct syllables - MAR-AN-AH-THA. Say it for the whole time of your meditation without any thought as to its meaning. Say it in total faith and love - like St. Peter walking on the water. You can also say "Jesus" or a phrase like "Come Holy Spirit" or "Be merciful to me a sinner." However when you choose one, keep to it: do not replace it to suit a changing mood.
- Meditate every morning and evening for 20 - 30 minutes, each and every day of the year.
- Distractions will inevitably come; let them float past you. As soon as you become aware of them, return gently to saying your mantra. In this way you are choosing Jesus above the distraction.
Your prayer-word is a silent act of love and faith. It is an expression of your desire to be united in the loving prayer of Jesus rather than following any thoughts or ideas of your own. It is your way of leaving all behind, of following Jesus and of wanting only to do His will.
- Adapted from "A Brief Introduction to the Prayer of Christian Meditation" by the late Monsignor G.T. Fehily, P.P.
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