| Various forms of meditation techniques are being | | | | becomes even more impressionable than that of |
| widely and fervently promoted as a way of | | | | a baby! The difference is that this blanking out of |
| attaining peace, promoting relaxation, and | | | | the mind has been achieved unnaturally and |
| developing a higher consciousness. However, | | | | carries consequences. |
| many people, Christians and non-Christians, who | | | | Whenever the Bible speaks of meditation, it |
| take up these techniques of meditation do not | | | | always consists of active thought, of filling the |
| realize the strong biblical warnings against such | | | | mind with the knowledge of God's law, not |
| practices. | | | | blanking it out. In fact, warnings are made against |
| Although the forms of modern meditation vary, | | | | failure to guard against an idle mind. Psalm 1:2 |
| they all share a central goal--the blanking out and | | | | says, "his delight is the law of the Lord and in his |
| emptying of the practitioner's mind. What is the | | | | law doth he meditate day and night." Joshua 1:8 |
| danger of totally clearing one's mind? First, it | | | | records, "this book of the law shall not depart out |
| should be understood that an empty mind is | | | | of thy mouth; but, thou shalt meditate therein |
| prime territory to be filled with ideas, thoughts, | | | | day and night, that thou mayest observe to do |
| suggestions, sounds, and imaginations. Essentially, a | | | | according to all that is written therein." Finally, in |
| blanked out mind is much like a dry sponge which | | | | Psalm 119:97, king David worshiped God saying, "o |
| absorbs practically any liquid with which it comes | | | | how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the |
| into contact. The cleared mind corresponds to the | | | | day." |
| dry sponge, and thoughts, imaginations, ideas, | | | | Should such biblical references be used to form a |
| suggestions, and sounds, correspond to the liquid. | | | | doctrine regarding meditation techniques? Is biblical |
| This truth is evident in the fact that very young | | | | instruction really valid for today's world? These |
| children whose minds have not had the | | | | questions have been anticipated and answered by |
| opportunity to completely learn a language, learn | | | | the all wise God whose word teaches that, "all |
| foreign languages effortlessly. Why? Because | | | | scripture is given by inspiration of God and is |
| there's no other language or sound pattern | | | | profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, |
| present to buffer the incoming language and | | | | for instruction in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). |
| sounds. As the child grows older, his ability to learn | | | | Man is also reminded that, "the word of the Lord |
| language in the same way as he did or could have | | | | endureth forever..."(1 Peter 1:25). |
| at a very tender age, departs forever. Again, this | | | | Meditating to blank out one's mind gives nothing |
| is why children are impressionable and why | | | | but a false and temporary peace because it is a |
| brainwashing is extremely difficult to reverse if it | | | | "peace" obtained through the breaking of God's |
| has taken place in a child before reaching the age | | | | instruction to, "be sober (have an alert mind), be |
| of four. | | | | vigilant (on the watch), because your adversary, |
| When an adult masters the "art" of meditation to | | | | the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking |
| the point of totally clearing his mind, his psyche | | | | whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). |