How to Practice Meditation
In Rejoice in the Lion’s Den! Rejoice in the Fire!, I discussed scriptures that reveal the importance of meditation. I recommend, reading that post first and then read this one.
Somehow, in the Christian doctrine, meditation has been percieved as something unholy or unGodly. If you are spending time in the Word, you’re listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, that sounds like a beautiful holy act of worship to me.
Where do I start?
We’ve got to pray. We got to pray just to make it today. Then we need to be still.
“Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10
Be still. It doesn’t mean sit still; rapha means “let go, surrender, or release”. God doesn’t become louder; we must become quieter.” (Self Deliverance Made Simple p47)
How do I meditate?
Plan. Are you going to make time in the morning before everyone else gets up? Does before bedtime work better? How about your lunch break?
Start out with one minute, slowly add more time with each meditation.
Make quiet time in your schedule as part of your daily routine. Take time to hear from God.
Find a quiet place with no distractions.
Calm quiet music may help, but it becomes a distraction, it’s okay to sit in silence.
Listen to yourself breathe. Put your hands on your belly.
“Jesus, I give everyone and everything to you, God” is how the Pause App starts.
Ask God if there’s anything He wants to reveal to you. Is there anything God wants you to let go of, someone to forgive, an emotion or belief that needs to be addressed? (Psalms 139: 23-24)
Bucket Man
I learned so much about meditation and becoming connected with my spirit to the Holy Spirit through Self Deliverance Made Simple. I really highly recommend it. In a section of the book, “Bucket Man” p44-45, she writes about how she made a visual aid with a man with a bucket on his chest and a rope lowers the bucket to his belly.
“As soon as we drop down to our spirit and include the Lord, we should feel a gentle awareness that He is with us. We experience the peace of His presence.”
Write down what God revealed to you to keep a record of your journey to becoming baggage free.
It takes practice. It is a new skill. You may not be good at it right away. Keep trying, you’ll get better. (Thank you, Daniel Tiger) You may cry and that’s okay. Get some tissues and let it all out.
More Guidance:
If you would like more direct guidance on how to meditate, you can check out Body Groove’s “Discover Your Groove Module 3 Section 1. Meditation: It’s Easier than You Think“.
Why? Why should I meditate?
We meditate so that we can get out of our own heads and into the lap of God. We talk and pray with God so we can know how he thinks of us. We worship God because he is a good, good God who loves us so much. Prayer and meditation may not change our circumstances but it will change us. It will change how we view the circumstance, how we view God and how we view ourselves. It can give us peace that passes all understanding (Phil 4:7). I really hope that you will make time to spend with God. He wants you to know how much he loves you. He wants desperately to spend time with you.
You are dearly loved.
Tools:
Self Deliverance Made Simple
Abide Bible Sleep Meditation on Apple Podcast
Bible App
Pause App
Scripture Lullabies Album 1 & 2 (iTunes)
Me, Myself & Lies