Christian Meditation

#42 “Basic Meditation”

Reflections on John Main’s Christian Meditation Lectures

Presented by The World Community for Christian Meditation

By Mary Sargent

Let us examine the four basic instructions John Main has given for Christian Meditation.

#1 – Sit still – We are not used to sitting still in American culture. Many people have tight hips that hold a lot of tension because we sit in chairs and in cars too much. We should be floor-sitters. We are taught to be athletic, self-motivated and always on the go to achieve. When we sit for meditation, we are sitting upright with a straight back and we are not moving. We stay this way for several moments. It takes practice.

#2 – Close your eyes – Sometimes, it is hard to close our eyes for long periods of time. We are awake, not asleep and we do not want to miss anything. In today’s busy world,, with the millions of visual stimulants, we are not used to this. It may be necessary to use a sleeping mask, blindfold or pod pillow to keep our eyes closed.

#3 – Empty to your mind of all thoughts – We have to completely relax and let our breathing guide us to a place of stillness in the mind. It may be silent outside, but if our mind is busy and chattering, we do not have the interior silence needed for meditation. It could take several attempts to clear the mind. With each breath, you clear your thoughts inhaling and exhaling them.

#4 – Say your mantra – Even a seasoned meditator will find it difficult to say the mantra silently in the mind for several minutes. How do you speak and listen at the same time? You are listening in contemplation for the voice and direction of Christ, and speaking the mantra in meditation. It is a delicate balance to hear God’s voice while you are speaking the mantra silently to avoid your own thoughts. Ma-Ra-Na-Tha is the suggested word to use. It is an ancient Aramaic word, the language Jesus, spoke along with Greek and Hebrew. The mantra or sacred word can lead to a place of stillness. It can shut out the thoughts from your mind like a bouncer keeps out patrons from a Sunset Strip nightclub. Meditation is a process. You are on the pilgrimage. You are seeking peace and communion with Christ. It can be found in your own heart if only you take the time to cultivate this precious power you possess.