I am currently taking a course called Comparative Theology where we are studying and contrasting the 12 major world religions. I was excited about this course because I have not spent a lot of time looking into other religions and thought I would get a chance to learn about other belief systems. While I have definitely learned a lot, I was shocked to learn how much other belief systems have trickled into my own world and Western culture. A couple of these practices originated in India with the Hindu and Buddhist faith but have trickled into our everyday life here across the world. So what practices are these? Yoga and meditation. This blog is going to center on the practice of meditation – what Biblical meditation is, what Eastern meditation is, deciphering the difference, and my personal journey with meditation.

Meditation is a HUGE buzzword right now – there are apps devoted to it, websites teaching you how to do it, and it’s all over pop culture. In all honesty, I never knew this word had spiritual roots because it seems so secularized and mainstream. I knew that the Bible had verses about meditating but that seemed different than what was being advertised yet I had always thought of meditation being something neutral or from the psychology field. I had no idea that this “neutral” practice actually had roots in Hinduism that were thousands of years old. I think this can be confusing to Christians because meditation is in the Bible. And if it’s in the Bible, it must be safe right? I would argue that the practice of meditation that is popularized in the West (originating from Eastern religions) is very different from the meditation that scripture is talking about. I think it’s important to differentiate these 2 types.

So, what is Biblical meditation?

            The word meditate in the Bible is translated into many different terms in its original language (several Hebrew and a couple Greek). The first time it is mentioned is in Genesis where Isaac went out into a field to meditate (Genesis 24:63). Meditate in this verse is translated to the Hebrew word suah which according to the Blue Letter Bible means “to meditate, muse, commune, speak, or complain.” Given this definition, it seems that Isaac was speaking with God. Later in Joshua 1:8 we see the more common Hebrew word for meditate which is haga, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate (haga) on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Here the Lord is commanding Joshua who is taking over the role of Moses to meditate on the Book of the Law, likely Genesis through Deuteronomy. This Hebrew word, haga, according to the Blue Letter Bible means to imagine, meditate, mutter or roar. Over the summer our pastor was preaching through the Psalms and this same word haga came up. I have never forgotten what it means because he gave such a powerful illustration. He showed a picture of a lion laying down and feasting on some animal carcass and then he played the sound of a lion roar. This wasn’t a fierce roar but more like a purr, a sound of an animal who is completely satisfied. That sound, that roaring of satisfaction is what it means to haga God’s word. To be completely satisfied with it.

            Another Hebrew translation of the word meditate found in the Old Testament is the word siah which means, “talk, meditate, speak, complain, pray”. In the New Testament, the Greek word meletao is often used to describe a meditative practice like in 1 Timothy 4:15, “Be diligent (meletao) in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress”. Paul here is emphasizing the need to be diligent in preaching and teaching the word of God. 

            While the Bible speaks of meditating many times throughout scripture (especially in the Psalms), the object of Biblical meditation does not change. We are to meditate on God and his word. Scripture commands Christians to meditate on God’s word, on his law, his precepts, his decrees, and his promises. The idea behind Biblical meditation is to read, study, know, and align our hearts with God and his word. It is to take time away from the distractions of the world and focus your hearts on the eternal. I believe that God calls us to meditate so that our minds can be transformed, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

What is Eastern Meditation?

Now that we have a good grasp on what Biblical meditation is, let’s contrast it with Eastern meditation. Buddhism is derived from Hinduism and both religions use meditation as part of the core practices of their faiths. Jason Boyett states in his 12 Major World Religions book, “Meditation helps Buddhists clear their minds, minimize suffering, and understand the true nature of the universe.” There are many forms of Buddhist meditation but two that are highlighted are anapanasati or “mindfulness of breathing” and metta bhavana or “loving kindness”. I had never heard of these words, but I am very familiar with mindfulness meditation. According to the Buddhist tradition, this mindfulness meditation helps you connect with the present moment by focusing on breathing. Maybe this doesn’t sound harmful – I mean we want to be present right? Let me explain what the true purpose of this practice is: detachment. The whole purpose of this practice and the Buddhist teachings is to detach from suffering in this current world. Hinduism and Buddhism believe in reincarnation and that life is cyclical. You are essentially stuck in the pattern of reincarnation and while these religions have different methods of escaping this pattern, for the Buddhist, you are attempting to use meditation and yoga as a means to disconnect from the world, detach from suffering, greed, and even your personality so that you can achieve nirvana or liberation from reincarnation. 

My Journey with Mindfulness

Several years ago, Gabe was introduced to mindfulness in his recovery program (sobriety journey here). Mindfulness was introduced to him as a way to be present and help relieve stress. He heard about a class that was being offered at a local church in Chicago called Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. This course was marketed as backed by science and a way to relieve stress and anxiety and even to aid in alcohol recovery. We both took the course which lasted over a span of several months. In this course, we practiced body scans, mindfulness listening exercises, and even a silent retreat. I had no idea at the time that the founder of MBSR was a Zen Buddhist and that many of these practices were Buddhist in origin. The focus was on being in the present moment, to not unpack thoughts or feelings that came up but to simply let them pass by like clouds. I know it sounds a little woo-wooish but at the time I was totally on board with anything that Gabe thought would help him stay sober. Also, I want to state again that this was offered through a church! I totally had my guard down because of that. This course and the practice of mindfulness have gained a lot of popularity in the academic spaces (developed at UMASS) and culture today. 

While we haven’t kept up with these mindfulness techniques, this practice of anapanasati jumped off the page to me in my religions textbook. We were unknowingly practicing anapanasati, mindfulness meditation meant to detach from yourself and from the world in order to reach nirvana. I want to expound on the other practice mentioned too, metta bhavana or “loving kindness”. Boyett describes this as follows, “Its purpose is to cultivate a feeling of love or benevolence for the world. Practitioners begin by stimulating metta for themselves, then for friends, strangers, enemies, and the larger world.” I want to highlight this because I have sat through so many yoga practices where this is taught and sounds something like, “send love out to the world”. Now, the next time you hear it, maybe it will stand out to you too and you will be able to recognize its Buddhist origins. 

Why does this matter? 

This was a very brief overview contrasting Biblical meditation from Eastern religious meditation. I know that I have left a lot out but this is a blog, not a book. My goal in writing is was to help bring awareness and discernment between these different practices. In summary, Biblical meditation focuses your mind on God and his word. He is always the focus in Biblical meditation. Eastern meditation seeks to clear your mind of thought. If you have ever tried to meditate and not think of anything at all, this is also Eastern meditation. It is detachment from the world so that you can be “enlightened” and achieve nirvana.

  I don’t write this to shame anyone if you have been practicing Eastern forms of meditation, as I mentioned, I too fell into this unknowingly. One of my biggest takeaways from studying Theology is seeing where I have let other theologies come into my life unknowingly and influence me. As a Christian, I want to honor God with my actions. I want to meditate on God’s word so that I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind, not conformed to this world. I write this so that you will not be deceived like me, so that you will have your eyes wide open and will be able to discern the difference from what is Biblical and what is of this world. Before I was a Christian, I used to want to have an open mind about everything. Now, I want to have God’s mind and a Biblical perspective about everything. I leave you with this quote from G.K. Chesterton:

 “Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.”

Make sure you the things you are putting into your mind are worthy of swallowing.