Dr Paul Allen

The practice of meditation in its many forms (transcendental, mindful, body scan, awareness, zen, etc.) has suddenly metastasized into a lucrative industry, assimilated by Western corporate conglomerates. Even the marines are taking a stab at the practice. The frenetic noisiness of modern life has fertilized the market for a new crop of meditation apps (e.g. Headspace and Calm), productivity pundits (e.g. Leo Babauta of zen habits(dot)net fame) and business section bestsellers aimed at secular readership (e.g. 10% Happier by Dan Harris and conclusions in Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss). Some Christians, who are rightly wary of imbibing any gateway drug to New Age worldviews or practices, are curious about the intersection of Eastern-origin and biblical meditation.  “Is it permissible for Christians to engage in meditation?” And the answer is… Let’s define our terms.  Meditation is a biblical term, used 22 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Here’s a smattering of exampl...

“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” ( Joshua 1:8 ) This well-known verse contains the first use of the Hebrew verb for “meditate” (hagah) in the Bible and, significantly, it is a command to meditate on the Scriptures. Such meditation is not mere quietness or daydreaming, but is thoughtfulness with a purpose—to obey “all that is written therein.” Meditation for its own sake, without being centered on God’s Word, is often useless or even harmful. Witness the Western proliferation of Eastern “meditation cults” (T.M., etc.) in recent years, which lead their devotees into pantheism and occultism. Isaiah 8:19 warns against “wizards that peep, and that mutter [same word as ‘meditate’].” “Why do . . . the people imagine [same word] a vain thing?” ( Psalm 2:1 ). Th...

Cross (Photo credit: Photographic Textures ) "Exceeding great and precious promises." 2 Peter 1:4 If you would know experimentally the preciousness of the promises, and enjoy them in your own heart, meditate much upon them. There are promises which are like grapes in the wine-press ; if you will tread them the juice will flow. Thinking over the hallowed words will often be the prelude to their fulfilment. While you are musing upon them, the boon which you are seeking will insensibly come to you. Many a Christian who has thirsted for the promise has found the favour which it ensured gently distilling into his soul even while he has been considering the divine record; and he has rejoiced that ever he was led to lay the promise near his heart. But besides meditating upon the promises, seek in thy soul to receive them as being the very words of God . Speak to thy soul thus, "If I were dealing with a man's promise, I should carefully consider the ability and the c...

Image via Wikipedia "O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day." ( Psalm 119:97 )   This emotional stanza in Psalm 119 bursts with passion for the Word of God . "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" ( Psalm 119:103 ).   Previously, David 's 19th psalm opened with praise for the "speech" and "knowledge" available in "the heaven" ( Psalm 19:1-6 ) and gave his most open praise for the "perfect" laws ( Psalm 19:7 ) of God that are "more to be desired . . . than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb" ( Psalm 19:10 ).   The focus of this particular stanza ( Psalm 119:97-104 ) is on the practical effect that knowledge of the Word of God has had on the psalmist's ability to give a powerful witness. "Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me" ( v. 98 ). "I have...