Faith In Action

‘Viewpoints’ Column for News Journal
by Rev. Herb Weber, Pastor
St. Peter’s Catholic Church

Discovering Meditation For some, the word “meditation” may conjure up an austere image of a monk rising at four in the morning to kneel on the floor with outstretched arms. For others, there is perhaps the memory of Transcendental Meditation with the Maharishi Mahesi from the 1960's. Neither image seems mainstream religious practice or inviting to the average person.

Meditation as a form of prayer has a long tradition in Christianity.

Nonetheless, meditation as a form of prayer has a long tradition in Christianity and other religions. (As a Christian, I will only address that heritage.) Furthermore, meditation is accessible to anyone and not just to the clergy or the spiritually advanced. In short, meditation is praying without prayers. Its focus is more on listening than on speaking. Although it is sometimes called “mental prayer,” it does not over-emphasize the intellect. If anything, it energizes the imagination.

Before looking at ways to meditate, it may be worthwhile to discuss its value. I recall talking to an old man who had many life experiences. When he started to describe how his prayer-life had changed through the years, he said that more and more he simply tried to put himself in the presence of the Divine. Like Moses being drawn to the burning bush, he felt that he wanted to be close to God. In that closeness he felt both comfort and challenge. Meditation provides an inner peacefulness because it requires the participant to step out of the busy-ness and chaos of daily life. Discovering God within one’s own center, a person who meditates becomes re-charged and energized. That graced moment has a power to help one make sense out of the rest of life’s activities.

Meditation is not just a “feel good” exercise.

At the same time, upon coming into contact with God, there is usually a thrust to move on or change one’s life. Meditation, in other words, is not just a “feel good” exercise. It is a time when God often calls a person into something more or better. For anyone who wants to meditate, the first step is to get away from the normal activities of the day. Finding a quiet room or place may be very difficult. Even soft music can prevent true listening to God although I sometimes use the music to calm the spirit before the prayer begins. In terms of stepping away, the one who wants to meditate must also take a step away from task-oriented prayer. Although prayers of petition are very powerful, in meditation, one is distinctly not trying to accomplish anything. Instead, meditation is just for being with the Lord.

Some people initiate their prayer by employing their imagination. They may read a bit of the Gospel and then picture themselves as one of the characters in the story. Some read a few words that Jesus spoke and simply repeat those words over and over to themselves, trying to become a listener. I often find a phrase that fits the mood of the day, like “My Lord and my God,” or “Lord, have mercy,” and repeat that phrase almost as a mantra. After creating a setting and an image, then meditation freely focuses on the presence of God in one’s life. The temptation is to want to be busy in this prayer. You can usually tell if you have fallen into this trap if you are doing too much talking. Listening is key. Distractions will come. Thoughts like remembering to put out the trash or needing to stop at the bank will work their way into one’s consciousness. All that the person trying to meditate needs to do is to gently re-focus on the scriptural scene or the chosen words.

I have found physical positioning to be very important for meditation. Although some folks can lie on the floor to meditate, I tend to fall asleep in that posture. Instead, I sit upright with back straight. If I am in a chair, I try to plant both feet flat on the floor. For whatever reason, that position seems to keep me more alert. I also try to breath slowly, but deeply, as a way of stepping out of the hectic pace of the rest of the day. Although one does not need to meditate for long periods, the frequency of spending time in this kind of prayer helps its practitioner feel its impact in his/her life. More and more one starts to find a new depth in one’s spirituality.