Celebrities such as Russell Simmons, Tina Turner and Richard Gere have advocated for forms of daily meditation they practice. Simmons in particular has practiced various types over more than a decade, such as transcendental meditation, during which practitioners sit still and silently repeat an assigned Sanskrit word, or mantra, for 15-20 minutes in the morning and evening in efforts to reach a “deeper level of consciousness.” Closing an article praising this and other types of meditation he practices, Simmons called meditation a “path” to overcoming personal suffering and experiencing life as “intended,” which he described as “an ocean of energy, intelligence, and bliss.”
But comparing Simmons’ and other common forms of meditation to biblical meditation, they are at sharp odds. And the stark contrast is another reminder of how God’s Words and ways are so different from our world’s.
BIBLICAL MEDITATION v. POPULAR MEDITATION
Recently, I’ve read, watched and discussed topics that have led me to reflect on the meaning of various popular forms of meditation as compared to biblical meditation.
Many types of meditation are rooted in New Age philosophy, which is commonly accepted in our culture but contradicts Scripture.
In my mind “New Age” is somewhat of an amorphous concept. Although I know some about the philosophy and can identify many of its manifestations, I cannot carefully articulate it neatly in my own words. However, it has been described, (only somewhat neatly:),) as “a non-religious Western spiritual movement that…draw[s] on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and…infus[es] them with influences from self-help and motivational psychology, parapsychology, consciousness research and quantum physics. It aims to create a spirituality without borders or confining dogmas that is inclusive and pluralistic.”(In other words, its an amalgamation of ideas!)
A cornerstone of New Age philosophy is pantheism, the view that “God is in everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God.” From that perspective, through engaging in various “self help” methods New Age teaching promotes, a higher, enlightened state can be reached – a “god” state. The common idea of being “spiritual but not religious" is often tied to New Age philosophy.
In contrast, Scripture teaches that there is only one God, and Jesus is the only way to Him. Further, believers in Christ are to follow God only and commit themselves to a study of distinct “dogma” – i.e., biblical doctrine, for spiritual growth.
Relating the philosophy to meditation, New Age teaching borrows from Eastern religious meditative practices, such as Buddhism. A major goal of the Buddhism is to put humans on a path to ending personal suffering, physical or mental, by eliminating desire, or craving, which is the “driving force of dissatisfaction” that breeds suffering. When the “craving is dispensed, suffering comes to an end and nirvana…a feeling of bliss and excitement” can be attained. Sean O’Callaghan, “The Compact Guide to World Religions,” pgs. 149, 151. The “Eightfold Path” to ending suffering includes the concepts of “right awareness” and “right concentration,” which call on people to make “right choices,” achieve peace and an increased sense of happiness through meditation. This relates to the feeling of experiencing life as “an ocean of energy, intelligence, and bliss” that Simmons has discussed.
Moreover, popular forms of meditation, also borrowing from Eastern religions such as Buddhism, teach that one gains a “spiritual awareness” from careful concentration of the mind that, in turn, allows the person to see things “as they really are.” In other words, achieving a “higher consciousness” is the impetus for revelation through meditation.
Biblical Meditation
Biblical meditation differs from meditation derived from New Age or other similar philosophies in several important ways.
“Material” Differences
First, the meditation “material” is different. While popular forms of meditation generally require a person to focus on a particular word, phrase or object, biblical meditation has far more material on which to focus. In the NIV (©1984), there are 16 references to the word “meditate.” Every single one describes meditation as focusing on aspects of God’s character, works, Word, or ways. Further, most of the references speak to meditating on His “statutes,” “laws” or “decrees,” meaning His Word. Some examples:
Joshua 1:8
Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Psalm 1: 1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 119: 15
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
Psalm 48: 9
Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.
Psalm 77: 12
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
(The 16 uses of the word “meditate” in the NIV (©1984), all found in the Old Testament, are linked here)
“Method” Differences
Also, the method of biblical meditation is different. The Bible does not prescribe a specific “formula” or object for meditating on His Word – in fact, we are told to do it day and night – any and everywhere! We can be in a quiet place reading His Word, or we can memorize it, in public or private; reflect on it in prayer, spoken or written; listen to it through a song or a message. When we ingest it in several ways, all day long, we learn to set our minds on things above rather than earthly things, and to think excellent, praiseworthy things.
“Revelation” Differences
Further, the “revelation” is also different. Popular meditation puts power in the exercise of meditation itself as a means of reaching a “higher consciousness” and gaining so-called revelation. By contrast, God has put Revelation in His Word, which is revealed to us as we read and memorize it in our present consciousness. Also, there is no “power” of revelation transferred by saying, or repeating, a particular word or phrase in the Bible as an "exercise" or "chant," or any “magic” from merely picking it up. Rather, when we meditate on God’s Word, we do it to understand, in our present consciousness, what God has said in it. In turn, His Spirit shows us how to apply it to our lives.
“Goal” Differences
Additionally, the goal is different. The objective of most non-biblical methods of meditation tends to be achieving things such as relaxation or calmness, happiness (i.e., “overcoming” suffering), or being more “balanced” or “centered.”
However, as God’s Word teaches, as Christians our goal in life should not be calmness; happiness or the sort of “balance” spoken of (however defined), but, instead, to bring God glory. The Bible also teaches that through suffering God’s glory is often revealed. The Apostle Paul, who suffered for preaching the Gospel to the ends of the earth, said that his personal suffering helped him fellowship with – understand – Christ better; experience God’s power in his own weakness; know His character more and live as an example for others.
Further, Jesus said that victory over suffering comes from Him. As He counseled His disciples on how to live, He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jesus was victorious over the ultimate suffering for us – no meditation “exercise” can do what He did! And because of what He did on the cross, He gives us the strength to handle any situation in life, no matter how difficult.
Moreover, when we meditate on His Word, we are able to make the right decisions by following His guidance that if we seek Him first, His kingdom and righteousness, He will help us through every other aspect of our lives. That’s incomparably greater than what any “balance” or “centering” activity can achieve!
OUR RESPONSE
What should a Christian’s response be to non-biblical forms of meditation? I believe the Bible is clear that Christians have to be extremely careful what ideas or practices we follow, and that we are not to subscribe to any that contradict Scripture. Because most, if not all, forms of non-biblical meditation are done for the explicit purpose of achieving some form of “enlightenment” as defined by religions and philosophies that contradict Scripture, we should avoid them.
From the Word
Scripture teaches that anything that contradicts God cannot stand with God. Right now I‘m seeing this truth exemplified in my read through the Old Testament. After entering the Promised Land, the Israelites disobeyed God by worshipping other gods, baals, that the Lord had commanded them not to worship. Yet they also claimed to be worshipping God at the same time. God used the prophet Elijah at Mount Carmel to show the Israelites the error in their ways. Before a showdown between God and the Baals after a three-year drought in Israel, Elijah challenged the Israelites about their bifurcated “worship”. In I Kings 18:21, he asked, pointedly:
“How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
My commentary says this about the verse: “Elijah stood before them and challenged them to end their double-mindedness, wavering between two opinions. It was not good to try to ‘walk the fence’ worshipping two gods. Apparently the Israelites thought that if Yahweh [God] let them down they could turn to Baal, and vice versa. Elijah was saying that if One is the true God and the other false they should follow the true One wholeheartedly and forget about the impotent impostor.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary, p. 526.
I love the description of worshipping God and other gods as “waver[ing] between two opinions.” In our context, as we often hear, an idol is anything we place before God. But, as described in I Kings, it is also anything we subscribe to that presents a different “opinion” that contradicts God. Many common forms of meditation, including New Age, present positions that are at odds with Scripture, as described by comparing New Age philosophy to biblical theology; common forms of meditation to biblical meditation. Scripture is clear that we must choose one – or the other – we cannot be in between.
We may be tempted to think that activities such as non-biblical meditation rooted in philosophies conflicting scripture “enhance” our lives, as the Israelites thought a different “opinion” could for them. But if we want our spiritual growth as followers of Christ to flourish, we have to choose God alone and reject anything rooted in a contradictory philosophy.
In the New Testament The Apostle Paul also explains how we are to get our “fullness” – all we need in life – from God. He tells the Church of Colosse these very relevant words:
Spiritual Fullness in ChristI think verse eight is especially key (i.e., “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ”). It sounds a lot like the purpose of New Age philosophy and its attempt to reach some “spiritual” height or dimension while rejecting Christ. God’s Word is clear that Christ has all the spiritual fullness we need – and more!
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. NIV © 2011; Colossians 3:6-10.
NAVIGATING
Is it wrong for Christians to learn about different philosophies or religions that contradict scripture? I would say no– I believe that, as long as a Christian has a solid understanding of Scripture and is meditating on The Word daily, knowing about other ideas can actually help us understand and reach our world for Christ better. However, as Scripture points out, we are not to practice ideas or philosophies that oppose Christ.
Today, common forms of meditation rooted in New Age philosophy and other ideas contradicting Scripture have seeped into our culture through areas such as media, physical activity, counseling– it’s everywhere. As Christians, we need to have the discernment to recognize what we should stay away from. We only gain that wisdom through studying God’s Word. Romans 12:1-2 tells us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds. Our minds are renewed by meditating on Scripture, which helps us know what His good, acceptable, pleasing, and perfect will is. Let’s meditate on God’s Word, night and day – and not get taken by hollow and deceptive philosophy.
No comments:
Post a Comment