The Real Christian Meaning of Meditation 1Timothy 4:15
The meaning of meditation
Genesis 24:62 Now Isaac had come from the way that goes to Beerlahairoi, for he was dwelling in the land of the Negeb. 63 And Isaac was out walking in order to meditate in the field at about the falling of evening. When he raised his eyes and looked, why, there camels were coming!
The Hebrew word for “meditate” is haghah´. 01897. הגה hagah [haw-gaw’]; a primitive root [compare 01901]; to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder: — imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
Higgaion, hig-ga'-ion (Heb.)--hum; murmur; a low, vibrant sound; chant; enchantment; meditate, i.e., to speak in a low voice to oneself; thought; deep reflection; contemplation.
Lu 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight <2335>, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Both Greek θεωρία (Theoria) and Latin contemplatio primarily meant looking at things, whether with the eyes or with the mind
Among the Greek Fathers, Christian theoria was not contemplation of Platonic Ideas nor of the astronomical heavens of Pontic Heraclitus, but "studying the Scriptures", with an emphasis on the spiritual sense
2335. θεωρία theoria [theh-o-ree’-ah]; from the same as 2334; spectatorship, i.e. (concretely) a spectacle: — sight.
2334. θεωρέω theoreo [theh-o-reh’-o]; from a derivative of 2300 (perhaps by add. of 3708); to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively [experience] or intensively [acknowledge]): — behold, consider, look on, perceive, see. Compare 3700.
Acts 4:25 and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, ‘Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate <3191> upon empty things?
1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon <3191> these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
3191. μελετάω meletao [mel-et-ah’-o]; from a presumed derivative of 3199; to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind: — imagine, (pre-)meditate.
The Hebrew word for “meditate” is haghah´. 01897. הגה hagah [haw-gaw’]; a primitive root [compare 01901]; to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder: — imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
Higgaion, hig-ga'-ion (Heb.)--hum; murmur; a low, vibrant sound; chant; enchantment; meditate, i.e., to speak in a low voice to oneself; thought; deep reflection; contemplation.
Lu 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight <2335>, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Both Greek θεωρία (Theoria) and Latin contemplatio primarily meant looking at things, whether with the eyes or with the mind
Among the Greek Fathers, Christian theoria was not contemplation of Platonic Ideas nor of the astronomical heavens of Pontic Heraclitus, but "studying the Scriptures", with an emphasis on the spiritual sense
2335. θεωρία theoria [theh-o-ree’-ah]; from the same as 2334; spectatorship, i.e. (concretely) a spectacle: — sight.
2334. θεωρέω theoreo [theh-o-reh’-o]; from a derivative of 2300 (perhaps by add. of 3708); to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively [experience] or intensively [acknowledge]): — behold, consider, look on, perceive, see. Compare 3700.
Acts 4:25 and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, ‘Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate <3191> upon empty things?
1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon <3191> these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
3191. μελετάω meletao [mel-et-ah’-o]; from a presumed derivative of 3199; to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind: — imagine, (pre-)meditate.
Christian contemplation
In order to meditate properly, a person needs to be free from distractions, alone with his thoughts, so to speak. Isaac, for example, went out walking alone in the early evening to meditate, possibly about his coming marriage to Rebekah. (Gen 24:63)
It was during the solitude of the night watches that the psalmist meditated on the greatness of his Creator. (Psa 63:6)
The kind of deep, concentrated thinking in which a person seriously reflects on past experiences, ponders over current matters, or thoughtfully contemplates possible future events.
Meditation differs from prayer, even from silent prayer, in that meditation is thought about God and contemplation of His word and His works.
Meditation normally begins by reading from the holy Scriptures, the Word of God. In such contemplative thoughts the spirit of man becomes one with the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Cor 6.17).
There is also the type of meditation and contemplation done totally in silence, without any words or images or thoughtful activity at all, not even reading or chanting the psalms. The person merely sits in silence, and emptying his mind of all thoughts, imaginations and desires, listens to God in silence, the divine “language of the Kingdom of heaven”.
The meditations of the heart should be focused on beneficial things, on God’s splendour and works, on things pleasing to him (Psa 19:14; 49:3; 77:12; 143:5; Php 4:8), and not on the ways of the wicked.—Prov 24:1, 2.
By engaging in profitable meditation, one will not be inclined to give foolish answers. He will seriously think out these matters of importance, and as a result, the answers given will be from the heart and will not be something to regret later on.—Prov 15:28.
Meditation and sustained reflection upon the characteristics of God as epitomized and memorialized in His Name will of itself lead to a conformation of personality to that same Name. If we declare that Name to others, they too have the chance to be transformed by it- thus Moses comments: “Because I will publish the name of the Lord, ascribe ye greatness unto our God” (Dt. 32:3).
Meditation is the continual and contemplative thought; to dwell mentally on anything; realising the reality of the Divine Mind; a steady effort of the mind to know God; man's spiritual approach to God.
The purpose of meditation is to expand the mind higher into the Christ consciousness; to bring into realisation divine Truth; to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.
There are 4 steps to meditation. The first, relaxation, deals with the body and gives directions for physical training. The second, concentration, relates to the mind and its nature and concerns mental training. The third, is meditation. Meditation induces a union of the mental and the spiritual. The fourth is realisation in realisation we become more and more conscious of the Christ mind in us
meditation raises us into higher spiritual realms of thought, where we contact God and realise our oneness with Him. This realisation is an eternal state of consciousness.
Hear O' Israel.
Yahweh is our God,
Yahweh is One.
I am a Son of God,
I am a son of the living Father.
I am essentially One with Jesus
in the Communion of the Father.
I accept Jesus as my Personal Image,
whose Twinship is the Light of the World.
I seek all these things,
in the name of the Living One.
...Amen.
The Jesus Prayer is very simple:
"Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,"
Prayer helps us to be able to “stand in God’s presence.” Prayer helps us to focus our mind exclusively on God with “no other thought” occupying our mind but the thought of God. At this moment when our mind is totally concentrated on God, we discover a very personal and direct relationship with Him.
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