i want to learn how to meditate. can you give me sum info about meditation and prayer. i have been having visions and dreams but i wanna go to a higher level spiritualy, and advance. can you just give me some advice on how to grow in the prophetic? thanks
2007-12-06 16:34:28 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Take some time out of every day to turn everything off, e.g. turn of the tv close the window; try to get to a quiet area. Open your Bible and begin to read; anywhere, I have always felt that God leads me to certain verses in the Bible. After you read pray to God about what you just read. Most importantly remember that praying to God is a constant; you should never stop, it's like hanging out with a friend, you don't just talk to them every once in a while.
2007-12-06 16:40:39 · answer #1 · answered by shadowfaxngc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a long-standing traditional practice in Christianity that has been handed down from classical antiquity, and it is still practiced in remote monasteries off the coast of Greece. But I really don't think it's what you are looking for. If you want to know more about it, go to the bookstore and pick up "The Philokalia." You will have to wade through several volumes before you get to the instructions.
In your case, I think you would be happier with "The Cloud of Unknowing," "An Anthology of Christian Mysticism," "Practicing the Presence of God," "The Way of the Pilgrim," or "The Art of Prayer." You can look up those titles on Amazon and order them if you like. I also recommend the Spiritual Exercises of St. Igatius of Loyola, works by Thomas Merton, and works by Anthony Demello (I think I spelled that right).
2007-12-07 00:42:20 · answer #2 · answered by NONAME 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Praying and studying the bible is not meditation. It is the opposite of meditation. It is study and contemplation.
Meditation has *nothing* to do with religion. Meditation is the practice of learing to relax and calm the mind and body.
Get a book or do some research about Vipassana meditation.
2007-12-07 00:44:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Meditation consists of thinking about God and his word in the Bible (Psalms 63:6; 77:12; 119:27,48,78,148; 143:5; 145:5)
2007-12-07 00:58:03 · answer #4 · answered by cheir 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dear Zae,
While Eastern religions teach that meditation is "emptying yourself", Christian meditation is almost completely the opposite. It is filling yourself with the word of God and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct you as to how to apply His word.
Meditating on God's word involves first opening your Bible and spending time with God in His word. You can study just short phrases and really think about what that means. You pray responding to God's word and ask the Holy Spirit to direct you how to apply this truth in your life.
For example the passage may talk about sharing the gospel. You begin to ask the Holy Spirit for opportunities, you begin to ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to who to share the gospel with, and the Holy Spirit sometimes will impress thoughts on your mind and other times will answer your prayers in other ways.
Visions and dreams are great- but they aren't necessarily a sign of "higher spirituality." Paul himself, said that he desired love over prophecy. That is truly what you want- the Holy Spirit yielding the fruits of the Spirit in your life: love, peace, patience, joy, kindness, long-suffering, and growing in LOVE rather than in a demonstration of gifts. Remember that Jesus healed people- but His greatest demonstration of power was His love for us on the cross, his forgiveness of those who mocked him, His pursuit of the lost.
Hope that helps.
Kindly,
Nickster
2007-12-07 01:38:11 · answer #5 · answered by Nickster 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just go in a private quiet place. trying kneeling down or whatever is comfortable, and start praying..tell God everything on your mind, and when you get done stay in silence so he can respond. Too many ppl just say a prayer than they are done, they forget to listen.
2007-12-07 00:39:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
true christian meditation is an active thought [thinking, resolving] process whereby one gives himself to study of the word, praying over it, asking God to give you understanding by the spirit, putting it into practice in daily life, and allowing it [the scriptures] become the rule for life and practice as you go about your daily activities. this causes spiritual growth and maturing in the things of God as taught you by his holy spirit indwelling you as a believer
2007-12-07 00:37:48 · answer #7 · answered by Silver 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
sum? In addition, just rely on the old maxim, "you can't always get what you want...": as for spirituality, try Smirnoff
2007-12-07 00:45:51 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋