C ELEBRATION OF D ISCIPLINE

BY

R I C H A R D J. F O S T E R

THE DISCIPLINE OF MEDITATION

In contemporary society our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in muchness and manyness, he will rest satisfied. Psychiatrist Carl Jung once remarked, Hurry is not of the Devil; it is the Devil. p. 15 What are we missing when we never turn down the noise of our lives?

BIBLICAL WITNESS
Read the following scriptures to find out if there is instruction and precedence of meditation: y y y y y Genesis 24:63 Joshua 1:8 Psalm 1:2 Psalm 119:97-104 Psalm 119:145-152

THE NATURE OF MEDITATION

Christian meditation, very simply, is the ability to hear God s voice and obey his word. Is Jesus alive? Is God idle? Does he still desire fellowship?

THE PURPOSE OF M EDITATION

Read p. 19, paragraph beginning with In meditation Is the Lord s presence a theological notion or a reality to us? Consider the words of the hymn he referred to, In the Garden . And He walks with me And He talks with me And He tells me I am His own And the joy we share as we tarry there None other has ever known

I come to the garden alone While the dew is still on the roses And the voice I hear, falling on my ear The Son of God discloses

What happens in meditation is that we create the emotional and spiritual space which allows Christ to construct an inner sanctuary in the heart. p.19 Read Revelation 3:20, is that letter written to unbelievers or believers? What does this mean concerning your fellowship with Christ? Is it automatic?

THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF MEDITATION

What is a primary difference between Eastern Meditation and Christian Meditation? p.20 1. Eastern meditation is an attempt to _______ the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to _______ the mind. 2. Eastern meditation focuses on becoming _________ where Christian meditation is about becoming _________ to _______.

DESIRING HIS VOICE

Why are we reluctant to delve into meditating? Where does the desire to seek God arise from? Human beings seem to have a perpetual tendency to have somebody else talk to God for them The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, a mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between. In this way we do not need to go to God ourselves. Such an approach saves us from the need to change, for to be in the presence of God is to change. p.24 Being in the presence of God = change Can you accept God s saving grace without Him drawing you? Do you have the capacity to understand God s spiritual truths unless the Holy Spirit enables you? Guess where the desire to seek God through meditation comes from? Step 1 is asking God to create in us desire for Him.

PRACTICAL MEDITATION TIPS

It is impossible to learn how to meditate from a book. We learn to meditate by meditating. p.26 Try using your sanctified imagination pp. 24-25 Set aside a specific time p.26 Find a posture that enables you spiritually and physically p.28 (What posture does the author use?) Regardless of how it is done, the aim is to center the attention of the body, the emotions, the mind, and the spirit upon the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor. 4:6). p.28

4 T YPES OF M EDITATION
1. Meditation on Scripture - Therefore, my suggestion is that you take a single event, or a parable, or a few verses, or even a single word and allow it to take root in you. Seek to live the experience, remembering the encouragement of Ignatius of Loyola to apply all our senses to our task. Smell the sea. Hear the lap of water along the shore. See the crowd. p.29 2. Centering Down What is the exercise of Palms Down, Palms Up ? p.29 3. Creation Contemplation Majestic monotheism, contemplating the glory revealed through creation 4. Current Event Contemplation

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
What obstacles to meditation will you likely face in your daily routine? For you personally, what is the most important benefit you seek in meditation?

CHALLENGE
1. Select a scripture passage to meditate on this week. Write it out, carry the passage with you, use the spare moments in your day to reflect on it. Set aside 1 20 minute session for focusing on it prayerfully. 2. Try the Palms Down, Palms Up exercise once this week.