MEDITATION: SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL WEALTH AND BODILY HEALTH

Abstract

Meditation is a vital tool for anyone who wants to make progress in his/her social and spiritual life. When one meditates properly one gets an abundance of physical health and well as spiritual wealth. Meditation is highly valued in the Eastern tradition and in the Christian world. The psalmists valued meditation, mentioning it sixteen times, and urged us to reflect on aspects of God’s character (such as unfailing love, Ps. 48:9), God’s works (Ps. 77:2; 143:5; 145:5).
The use of Scripture for meditation is very beneficial for Christian growth. Just as there are many ways to pray and study Scripture, Christians throughout the ages have found many ways to meditate on the scripture. Silence, posture and place are of utmost importance when we meditate. Bible study should not be confused with meditation, but Lectio Divina (reading a passage, meditating on that passage, praying and contemplating God) is closely associated with it.
That meditation is good does not mean that there are no difficulties with it. We often battle with distractions, feel sleepy, cannot stop the mental chatter in our heads, feel restless, cannot achieve the state of absolute focus.
To meditate properly, we need to visualize the scene of the bible passage and make active use of our five senses. To get the fruit of meditation - bodily health and spiritual wealth - we need to do our mediation regularly and faithfully. Meditation needs discipline, fidelity, consistency and resilience.