general definition for meditation?

Question

what is the abstract general meaning of meditation?
what is the general theory/principle of mediation?
i'm not talking about a specific type of meditation nor special cases.

Answer 1

2705
Meditation is above all a quest. The mind seeks to understand the why and how of the Christian life, in order to adhere and respond to what the Lord is asking. The required attentiveness is difficult to sustain. We are usually helped by books, and Christians do not want for them: the Sacred Scriptures, particularly the Gospels, holy icons, liturgical texts of the day or season, writings of the spiritual fathers, works of spirituality, the great book of creation, and that of history—the page on which the "today" of God is written.


2706
To meditate on what we read helps us to make it our own by confronting it with ourselves. Here, another book is opened: the book of life. We pass from thoughts to reality. To the extent that we are humble and faithful, we discover in meditation the movements that stir the heart and we are able to discern them. It is a question of acting truthfully in order to come into the light: "Lord, what do you want me to do?"


2707
There are as many and varied methods of meditation as there are spiritual masters. Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly, lest they come to resemble the three first kinds of soil in the parable of the sower.5 But a method is only a guide; the important thing is to advance, with the Holy Spirit, along the one way of prayer: Christ Jesus.


2708
Meditation engages thought, imagination, emotion, and desire. This mobilization of faculties is necessary in order to deepen our convictions of faith, prompt the conversion of our heart, and strengthen our will to follow Christ. Christian prayer tries above all to meditate on the mysteries of Christ, as in lectio divina or the rosary. This form of prayerful reflection is of great value, but Christian prayer should go further: to the knowledge of the love of the Lord Jesus, to union with him.

Peace and every blessing!

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Christian meditation is meditation in a Christian context. The word meditation has come to have two different meanings: (1) continued, intent, focused thought; and (2) a state of quiet, intentionally unfocused, "contentless" awareness. This double meaning has contributed to misunderstanding and disagreement about the nature, role, and even the appropriateness of Christian meditation. Traditionally, the word meditation (meditatio) had the first meaning, and another word, contemplation (contemplatio) was used for the second. (These words, however, have nearly the reverse meanings in Eastern spiritual traditions, contributing to the confusion.) As the present article reflects this dual meaning, the reader is advised to keep the issue in mind.

Here is the link for the rest of the page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Meditation

Answer 4

Finding a point of stillness inside the heart and mind through observation of thought and not engaging in that thought(s) but letting them pass. Meditation can allow one to discover things about themselves without the constant chatter of the mind, it can also allow one to contemplate one word such as love just holding it in the mind and not 'thinking' just observing. The simplest form of meditation is focusing on the breath while sitting but in theory any action can be a form of meditation. You could be doing laundry and just observing what comes up for you without getting caught up in it. I could go on and on but this is the simplest answer I can give. Best to you.

Answer 5

meditation generally means to focus the mind upon something, and is often used as a form of worship or devotion. one can meditate on a part of scripture, a divine attribute, an image, etc. the goal of meditation (one, at least) is to train the mind upon the object of devotion for a set time, to reflect, and to grow in understanding and in faith through this practice.

Answer 6

Meditation: click below to learn:

http://www.vipassana.com/meditation/mindfulness_in_plain_english.php

Answer 7

Meditation is loveful commune of soul with supreme soul.meditation comes from latin word medree which means to heal ,meditation is to heal inner self.we one needs more clarification mail me at [e-mail]

In meditation we need to sit in relaxed pose with eyes open.Start visulaising your thoughts and see the patern where they are moving.Now being the master of mind give a command -My dear Mind now I had to think about myself.Here myself is not the body but the master of body and five sense organs-The soul. Start thinking on the innate and original qualities of soul i.e it is peaceful,pure,loveful,knowledgeful,blissful,happy,powerful and feel these qualities within .Feel the viberation of these innate qualities within your body.You will feel getting detatched from this body of bone and flesh.Now start contemplating on Supreme soul Shiva-The incorporeal father of all souls,who is ocean of all the above said virtues.feel the radition being showered upon yon you.Like feel the ocean of peace-sparkiling white star is radiating white rays of peace and rays are touching you and you are filled and charged with this light and becoming peaceful.

Answer 8

Meditation is the giving up of extraneous thought.

Answer 9

Calming the mind for better functioning capacity

Answer 10

2 continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation