Orientation to Meditation

First, for our purposes in these meditation series, we hold a specific meaning for meditation. Some think of meditation as a synonym for prayer. Others refer to meditation as "thinking." For our purposes, we hold a highly specific definition of meditation as a structured, disciplined, and dedicated process to allow God to speak directly to our hearts, minds, and/or spirits. That is, it is "a listening." Therefore, by this definition, meditation is not a time for us to speak to God, either for intercessions or for thanksgiving or praise. As advised in Ecclesiastes, "…, there is a time to speak, …." But, now is not that time. Now is "…a time to be silent…."

The meditations appearing in this manuscript follow a category of meditation known as Lectio Divina (Kaisch, 162-182). The main attraction to Lectio Divina for a meditations series like this that follows Gospel readings from a traditional season of the church is that Lectio prepares us in such a way that we, first, with faith and grace from God, close our connectedness to all things of this world, connect our hearts, minds, and spirit to God, followed by a living out of the words and life of Christ in a state beyond time, space, and physics. We are transcended by God into His world where He speaks directly to us, sometimes with undeniable clarity, sometimes in undetectable ways, and sometimes by His silence to our minds (but who knows but God of what may be recorded beyond our temporal sensory capabilities in our hearts and spirits.)

Other categories of meditation, however, for those who would like to expand their experiential horizons beyond Lectio, abound. These other types are:

· Contemplative Meditation
· Monologistic Prayer, like the Jesus Prayer (CF: Anonymous. R.M. French, trans. The Way of the Pilgrim. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1965.)
· Sensory Meditation
· Recollection

For our purposes, expect to be guided by God, using the meditation method of Lectio Divina, into an experience with Christ through the Gospels of the season.

Second, journaling is an important component in your spiritual growth and development. For your convenience, a Reflections Journal is available for download in the Meditations Library. Feel drawn by God to record His revelations to you. Do not feel obligated, however, to use this form of journal. Whether you journal in the Reflections Journal or another form of diary, is immaterial. It is the journaling process that is important.

Third, these meditations follow the Book of Common Prayer Gospel readings for the season of Easter, beginning with Palm Sunday daily through Easter Sunday and throughout Easter Week, followed by each of the seven Sundays of Easter. If you were counting on your fingers and toes, you noticed that we have twenty-one meditations in the He is Risen Indeed series. Considering that each meditation lasts at least twenty minutes, that is a lot of mediation. Therefore, do not feel compelled to engage in a structured meditation following the daily schedule of Easter Gospel readings as contained herein. It is more important that we are ready to listen to God, not rushing to complete the meditation series. So, if it takes six months to complete the series, or if you skip half of them, do not be concerned, but rather feel drawn into your conversations with God as He desires. You will know when the time with Him is just the right amount. Trust Him, not yourself, to gauge your schedule. If you feel drawn by God into a time of meditation, enjoy it. If you feel you are still absorbed in processing a past meditation, allow God to complete the process before moving on.

Finally, you may feel a particularly strong connection to God after a meditation. As you reflect on these revelations, prayerfully consider sharing your conversation, and any resultant change in your life or the lives of others, beyond your immediate sphere of influence. Should you desire editorial assistance in organizing your thoughts, I will be more than willing to help, as I am sure, will others close to you. As you share your mediations with me, depending on the topic and available space, it may be shared on our website and/or in a future meditation publication.

Click here to return to the He Is Risen meditation series overview or the spinning cross above to return to the Meditations home page.

He Is Risen Indeed, an Easter meditation series. Click here for online.

Or, if you prefer a printable version, click below to download this series in groupings of seven meditations each, complete with the Reflections Journal.

He Is Risen Indeed, vol 1 - Download PDF

He Is Risen Indeed, vol 2 - Download PDF 

He Is Risen Indeed, vol 3 - Download PDF

Anyone and everyone is invited to contribute to our growing library of Christian meditations. While not all submissions will be published, you are eagerly encouraged to expand your Christian journey horizons by engaging in the rewarding experience of allowing God to create a meditation. In order to assure consistency, it is important that meditations follow a standardized structure, although some flexibility is permitted to allow God to lead us all to new heights of Christian experience. Click here to to contribute.