Meditation: Buddhist-based or Bible-Based?
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night “ Joshua 1:8.
“His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” Ps.1:2.“
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your Word” Ps. 119:15-16.
Meditation is hugely popular in our culture. Everywhere you turn, for whatever you’re dealing with, you’re told to meditate! But Bible based meditation is not the same as the Buddhist-based form of meditation promoted today.Stress reduction is one of the most common reasons people try Buddhist-based meditation. According to my research, this form of meditation isn’t about emptying the mind but rather training it to be more aware of disturbing or stress-inducing thoughts and letting them go. Buddhist meditation teaches that taking charge of our minds is the most crucial human undertaking.
In this teaching, Christians would agree! Because our minds—when they’re not focused on God’s presence, power, and promises—are often the source of our stress, anxiety, toxic thoughts, attitudes and decisions.The Apostle Paul writes, “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The power of our minds, our thinking, and our self-talk is taught throughout Scripture. But the focus of a Christian’s mind is not to be on our breath, or observing our thoughts and feelings without judgement and letting them go. The focus of a Christian’s mind is to be on God’s Word and what He wants us to know and cherish and live by.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” wrote David (Psalm 139:23-24).
Unlike Buddhist-based meditation, we want the Holy Spirit to see our heart condition, to show us where we’re harboring bitterness or self-pity or discontent or anger with God or others. Why? So we can confess it, ask for forgiveness and gain the power to let go of its poisonous effect on our lives.
One morning I was struck by the words, “Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Peter 1:22). And as I slowed down and meditated on it, the face of someone I most definitely did not love deeply from the heart flashed into my mind. I remember praying, “Lord, isn’t it enough that I’m polite to that man? “No,” came the instant response! “Poppy, I’m calling you to love him deeply.”I knew I couldn’t do it because of the pain he had caused me, but the Holy Spirit prompted me to cry out, “Then, Lord, You have to give me the willingness to pray for your blessing on his life."This is the life-changing, attitude-changing, heart-changing power of meditating on Scripture and responding to it.
Let me encourage you: Read even a short passage of Scripture regularly. Do it slowly, savor it, and ask God to speak. He will! Meditation on His Word will change your heart and who you are!
Qu: Has God’s Word changed you? I’d love to hear.Blessings,Poppy
For further insights read the chapter, "Where Do I Find the POWER to Grow?" from my book, I'm Too Human to Be Like Jesus.
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