Opinions (particularly Christian) on Meditation?

Question

Within the answer to another question about meditation, someone wrote,

"Meditation does not connect you with anyone, what it does is blank out your mind so you are very vulnerable to suggestion. It helps you be "open" to whatever spirit wants to say something to you or suggest something, so it makes you subject to the demonic."

I am curious to hear opinions and rationale of those who hold similar beliefs.

As a matter of reference, I am a Buddhist, I believe in G-d and I maintain a regular meditation practice, which often includes non-Buddhist points of reference, including the Bible.

Thank you to all, especially peacetime warrior (whose answer elsewhere prompted my question). I believe one of the things that causes confusion for those unfamiliar with Buddhist meditation is the concept of "emptiness". Meditation is not about creating a state of mind in which there is no thought and only 'blankness'.

There is not enough space here to adequately explain the concept, but emptiness generally refers to the concept that all phenomena are inherent and independent self. This is one subject on which one might meditate.

For example - I do not meditate in order to 'empty' the mind, but rather I meditate on the concept of emptiness, leading to greater understanding of interdependence. (Again, this is just an example of a possible meditation.)

Meditation on loving kindness, benevolence, goodwill (metta) is the same in any religion.

Peace, blessings and loving kindness to all.

2 Corinthians 6-8:“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

1 Timothy 4:15: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”

Phillipians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy G-d is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

BobbyJim - Please elaborate on your position re: meditation as relaxation.

Answer 1

I'll make a quick comment, as that was my answer :-)

I don't think that meditation (the process) is evil or anything. I just think that it makes one very vulnerable. The same as hypnosis, mind-altering drugs (including too much alcohol), being without sleep for a long period of time, etc.

In talking about spiritual warfare (dealing with demonic spirits), the Bible talks about the importance of mental alertness (Eph 6:18, 1 Peter 5:7-9). From these verses and from people I know who've done work with people who are or have been under demonic influence, I believe it to be incredibly spiritually dangerous to be awake but out of control of your mind. Mental alertness (it's fine to be at rest, but not "out of it" or blank) is so important that the verse in Peter even uses language of danger to talk about alertness (the enemy prowls about like a lion, seeking someone to devour).

Answer 2

Meditation opens one up to many things in the world.
For Believers, there is only one thing worth meditating upon:
God's Word.
Everything else is the flesh, sin, idolatry, and temptation.

Meditation as a technique of relaxation? Now you are talking about Eastern religious rituals. Flee.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

A Christian should meditate on the Word of God, the Scripture.


Here's a verse for you to meditate on John 20:31.

Answer 5

I am not a Buddhist and never have tried meditation and do not know why they meditate, but with this person's logic, if you open yourself to the divine, then the demonic can also get into your mind because the demonic were once the divine.

Answer 6

I think is good to do a meditation (to think more) about an subject. Don't let the mind go in haos.
About an subject we can read, we can hear about it from friends different opinions, and when we meditate, we think to all those , and we can receive new ideas from the intuition, which is the Will of God too.(for ex. when the mankind receive from God, the great science development- the light, -the computers......)
So an religious men can think more(meditation) about an religious subject, and can receive informations from how God was thinking, men name that way- intuition- but is the gift of the Universe science, which is God.

Answer 7

1 Timothy 4:15 "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
Meditating isn't bad for Christians , as long you choose the focus pleasing to God, like the above verse suggests.
Have a great one.

Answer 8

You are correct in the use of Eastern or Universalism meditation in "emptying" of one's mind. A Christian in "prayer and meditation" wants to infill the Holy Lord into one's mind.

Answer 9

I think meditation is a good spiritual tool.

Christians meditate then supplicate as a result of it.

Furthermore, I view 'the middle way' to be a good path to follow in as it keeps you from becoming an extremist.

Answer 10

Christian meditation is different, for the reasons stated, and I somewhat agree. Meditation in the Christian sense is not "emptying" the mind, but rather...filling it with the Word of God.

It's called "Lectio Divina". It's an ancient Christian technique....and - if you check out the link (or others) - you will see how it differs from Buddhist or Hindu meditation.

http://www.valyermo.com/ld-art.html