| The purpose of all kinds of meditation is to create | | | | The "Five R" Method of St. Theresa of Avila, |
| a deeper understanding of the self through | | | | which includes: Ready, Read, Reflect, Respond and |
| concentration and reflection. Christian meditation | | | | Resolve is a five step path to complete |
| at its best can be described as a form of deep | | | | concentration while meditating on the Lord. |
| concentrated conversations with God. It does not | | | | The "Five R" Method of St. Theresa of Avila: |
| require the use of praying beads, or mantras or | | | | Ready: The first step involves preparing the mind |
| any specific postures; it is merely a channel to | | | | to accept God's presence by reflecting on your |
| free the mind. | | | | love, devotion and faith in him. Ask pardon for |
| Christian meditation is more of a contemplative | | | | your sins and seek a purpose to your meditation. |
| payer using the mind and is perhaps the most | | | | Read: Once you have accepted God's presence |
| efficient way of communicating with God. | | | | the next step is to read a verse or passage from |
| The early Christian monks would read passages | | | | the Bible or read any prayer or even look at a |
| or verses from the Bible slowly and then reflect | | | | picture and thinking about it. |
| on the meanings and messages of these verses. | | | | Reflect: This step is about reflecting on the |
| They called it the "divine reading", and this is | | | | chosen passage or prayer by focusing your |
| perhaps the earliest form of Christian meditation. | | | | thoughts on it and then seeking answers to |
| This form of reflective readings of the scriptures | | | | questions that will force the mind into deeper |
| led them towards having loving thoughts of God | | | | contemplation. |
| and his greatness. They called this contemplation. | | | | Respond: This is the part where the mind is free |
| This experience of reading the Bible, reflecting on | | | | to initiate a dialogue with God. When you have |
| its meanings and messages which in turn led to | | | | reached this stage, you can now talk to him more |
| loving thoughts of God ultimately ending in deep | | | | freely and openly from the inner depths of your |
| contemplation came to be known as the ladder of | | | | soul. |
| prayer. | | | | Resolve: This is the last part of the meditative |
| During the twentieth century two forms of | | | | process and should be concluded by thanking God |
| Christian meditation came into prominence. The | | | | for everything he has blessed you with and for |
| first involved the chanting of mantras called | | | | his time. |
| Maranatha which is Aramaic for "Come, Lord". | | | | Christian meditation is about focusing the mind on |
| The other form of Christian meditation is the | | | | God and shutting the mind off to everything else. |
| Centering Prayer. This form uses a sacred word | | | | While it is a profoundly deep spiritual experience |
| to convey one's intention to be in the presence of | | | | one should keep in mind that it is not a means to |
| God. Another part of this contemplative form of | | | | salvation. Like prayer, Christian meditation is a |
| prayer is the individual's detachment to his | | | | mere form of spiritual discipline, a deeper kind of |
| psychological problems. | | | | worship, and a more intimate meeting with God. |