Posts Tagged ‘guided christian meditation script’
Guided Christian Meditation
Tuesday, May 10th, 2011
Can Christian Meditation Transform the Church?
As I sat in church this past week listening to the pastor talk about clarity and contemplation, I wondered if the congregation really grasped the significances of what he was sharing. He spoke of prayer and spending time with God, but did it register or was it just another Christian ideal that sounded good but had no real practicality. Knowing what I have learned about contemplation, meditation, and prayer, it takes discipline to carve out time everyday to spend time with God in stillness and reverent solitude. As I continued to listen, I wondered if mere words were enough to demonstrate the magnitude of such a practice. Was a sermon about contemplation and meditation enough or must further steps be taken? Do pastors not only need to talk about reverent silence, contemplation, and Christian meditation, but practice it as a body as well? And if so, how?
The service I attended consisted of praise and worship, some scripture reading, teaching, and ended with gospel music playing so loudly that you’d have a hard time hearing your neighbor talk to you. Where was the contemplation in that I thought? If we are to talk about meditation (or words similar to it), isn’t it just as important that we teach it and practice as a body of believers?
In the course of our church services, I imagine believers entering the main sanctuary in silence and holy reverence to God as they turn their hearts over to Him and enter into His presence. This would be followed by 10 to 20 minutes of scripture meditation with eyes closed and as we slowly grazed over the scripture passage selected for the day. Christian meditation would allow God’s word to wash away every care and dissolve every weight that we carried in with us- the act of hiding God’s word in our heart. As we mentally repeated the scripture passage, following the principles of meditation, any time we discovered our minds wandering off in thought, we would gently returned our attention back to the verses, thus creating a greater space to hear God and fellowship with Him from within. For those who attend church for the entertainment factor or an emotional experience, this might not go over so well.
And as the congregation saw the real affects of true contemplation and meditation acted out in service each week, they could then take the same practice to their homes. Once they got a taste of a true spiritual connection with God, not based on doing, but on “being” and “dwelling” in his presence, I believe it is something that they couldn’t live without. Many believers would discover their own link to God, the source of all their power and strength. This is the basis for when Jesus said that “when the Spirit comes, you will not need a man to teach you for the Holy Spirit will teach you all things.” The problem for most believers is that we don’t know how to access that Spirit living inside us because it is continually crowded out by distractions, noise, thoughts, and deceptions. We’re often like Samuel who kept hearing the voice of God calling him in the middle of the night and continuing to say, “Is that you Lord?” But unlike Samuel who had the Prophet to guide him and tell him it was the Lord calling, go and listen, we don’t have any one doing the same for us. So we just dismiss the voice and go about living on the same earthy plane and miss out on the intimate fellowship we can have with God.
Through Christian meditation and contemplation we experience transformation from the inside out. We learn that true blessings come from within, in the form of peace, joy, and contentment, instead of without, which we are frequently taught, even in many churches. They say your blessing is right around the corner or over the next mountain. God says you possess them already, for God has given us everything we need for a life of holiness and godliness, but we must access them from within. It will never be in the next relationship, the spouse, the house, the new car, the job or some external desire or perfect circumstance. These things don’t satisfy the real void in our heart. They only mask them for a short time.
Jesus said that “the kingdom of God is within you,” and that is the only place we will find lasting joy, contentment, purpose and peace. But take note that entering the kingdom of God, this sacred place, has nothing to do with more dancing, shouting, preaching, or doing. We enter it through stillness and silence, by “being still and knowing that (He) is God.” We enter it by quieting our minds and shutting out or eliminating all the distractions that interfere with us touching the hem of Jesus’ garment- the fears, illusions, and doubts. “For if I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be made whole,” said the women as she crawled on the ground, maneuvered through the crowd, singly-focused and intent on reaching and touching the only one that provided her any hope of being made well and whole. And in an instant she was transformed. Jesus responded by saying, “Who touched me, for I perceive that virtue has come out of me?” Although he was being pushed and thronged by many and on every side, only the touch of one with the single intent to know Jesus made an impression.
Jesus said, “You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart,” but for many believers that means gracing a weekly church service and an occasional Bible reading. They don’t understand that to walk with God is to give of your very lives, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. And they don’t know because it’s not what they are taught. Most believers live their lives on the testimony and teaching of others without investigating for themselves. Job illustrated it clearly when he said, I have heard of your power, but now I have experienced you for myself (paraphrased). They are told to join more committees, or attend more groups, and if they miss a church service they may be on the verge of backsliding from God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, these are important, but like Jesus told the Pharisees when they paid their tithes but neglected to show mercy and faith, you should have done this as well as that.
Seeking God with all your heart, soul, and strength begins with prayer, contemplation, and meditation, but not the kind of prayers that petition God for more. Instead, the type of prayer and meditation that demonstrate that God is already enough, where we abide in the vine, where we become one with the Lord, and where we put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says that “God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in truth, for these are the types of worshippers the Lord seeketh.”
I understand that church is a time of celebration, fellowship, and corporate worship and that these are important functions, but what better place to teach corporate meditation and contemplation. Many Christians don’t even know what it means to be still before the Lord or they avoid it altogether. For the stillness shines a neon light of what is really in our hearts and what is missing from our lives. The good news is that we can take this awareness to God for inner healing. Shouldn’t church be the very place to teach this? What if during our church services we created a special time of silent worship, scripture meditation, and inner contemplation? I can only imagine the transformation that would take place in sanctuaries all around the world. For when we allow the light of God to flood our hearts and minds, it will dispel the darkness- the hate, the worry, and the fear.
About the Author
Learn about
Guided Christian Meditation
CDs and resources that will enhance your life and relationship with God. Are you ready to transform your life and live with more purpose and passion? Visit
Detox Your Life
Now and & Awaken Your Inner Spirit to learn about this 10-week Christian Faith-based program.
|
|
Meditations2Go Guided Audio Meditations CD Set 1 $14.99 Meditations2Go CD Set 1 features two full-length, fully immersive guided audio meditations (synchronized music and narration) on a single Audio CD. Track 1: “Restoring Balance and Clarity” (26:48 minutes). This guided audio meditation helps restore your natural calm and balance, emotionally, mentally, and physically, gathering in your strength, your energy and your clarity. It’s excellent as a ge… |
|
|
Guided Meditations: Fill What Is Empty; Empty What Is Full $7.92 … |
|
|
Guided Meditation and Deep Relaxation $0.99 … |
|
|
Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child $7.52 Are you outwardly successful but inwardly do you feel like a big kid? Do you aspire to be a loving parent but all too often “lose it” in hurtful ways? Do you crave intimacy but sometimes wonder if it’s worth the struggle? Or are you plagued by constant vague feelings of anxiety or depression? If any of this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing the hidden but damaging effects of a painful… |
|
|
Getting in the Gap: Making Conscious Contact with God Through Meditation (Book with CD) $6.78 The practice of meditation takes us on a fabulous journey into the gap between our thoughts, where all the advantages of a more peaceful, stress-free, healthy, and fatigue-free life are available, but which are simply side benefits. The paramount reason for daily meditation is to get into the gap between our thoughts, and make conscious contact with the creative energy of life itself. Dr. Wayne W…. |
|
|
Starbright–Meditations for Children $5.94 Driven by the desire to help her three-year-old daughter settle down into a peaceful night’s sleep, Maureen Garth devised meditations that would help her daughter feel secure and cared for. Starbright is a collection of the stories Garth created as her child grew older. These innovative meditations are simple visualizations parents and teachers can read to their children to help them sleep, develo… |
|
|
Guided Tour Of The Bible $14.99 “A Guided Tour of the Bible is a bird’s eye overview of the historical flow of the biblical narratives and of the development of theological truths, along with personal applications in the prayers. By selecting the 365 key chapters of the Bible, the reader can move through Genesis to Revelation by reading only one chapter per day in the course of a year. Each day consists of a one or two paragraph overview, an invitation to read the relevant chapter, a prayer of response, and a meditation passage forthe day.This practical and easy-to-use daily guide will be a great source of knowledge for all wanting to know more about the Bible.” |
|
|
Meditation $13.95 “The second book in the new Exploring a Great Spiritual Practice series, Meditation, is a comprehensive, readable, and practical introduction to the time-honored spiritual practice of meditation. Includes overviews of the many types of meditations and the faith traditions from which they originate. Features “how-tos,” inspirational quotes, photos, line art, and an extensive glossary.” |
|
|
Guided Meditation $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever. |
|
|
A Guided Meditation $4.99 For everything you do, there’s a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go. |
|
|
Christian Meditation $9.99 Enter a Monastery Without Walls Christian Meditation introduces an ancient practice to a contemporary audience. James Finley a former monk and student of Thomas Merton presents the fundamentals of both understanding and practicing Christian meditation. He provides simple helpful instructions as well as explaining the deeper connection with the divine that meditation can bring. Above all he makes clear that the aim of meditation is to allow us to experience divine contemplation — the presence of God. |
|
|
Christian Meditation: Experiencing the Presence of God $13.95 “>Enter a Monastery Without Walls >”Christian Meditation” introduces an ancient practice to a contemporary audience. James Finley, a former monk and student of Thomas Merton, presents the fundamentals of both understanding and practicing Christian meditation. He provides simple, helpful instructions, as well as explaining the deeper connection with the divine that meditation can bring. Above all, he makes clear that the aim of meditation is to allow us to experience divine contemplation — the presence of God.” |
|
|
Meditation for Prosperity $14.99 “The book Meditation to Prosperity compiles a 31 days Suzan Laurenceau’s reflection on the Word of God. This book is written for sincere believers who want to achieve success in their Christian walk.” |
|
|
Guided by the Spirit $14.99 “”Guided By the Spirit” is filled with inspirational/Christian poetry, as well as stories relating to Psalms in the Bible. It has taken me a while to write them but I sense that God has wanted me to do this for a long time. At a young 74, I’ve finally reached that pinnacle in my life and I hope that you will find these stories and poems inspiring, encouraging and warm. If you do, then I feel that I have succeeded in my mission from God. My joy has been in writing them, I pray that you will find joy in reading them. If you have been inspired by this book, I thank you and God bless and keep you. Poetry has been a natural theme in my life since I was a child. I love writing and sharing words that form vivid imagery to the reader and I write from my heart and soul. It is my hope those who read my work will find at least some comfort, excitement, love or solace within these pages. I’ve been published in several World of Poetry Anthologies in the 1980’s and from 2002-2007 in books by Poetry.com and Nobel House Publishers. My first book “Echoes of Love” is in pre-production. “Guided by the Spirit” was inspired by my faith in God and my favorite writer of Inspirational Books was Helen Steiner Rice. I pray my God-given talent will be as joyous and inspiring to many who love poetry-both as readers and inspiring young writers. Helen VanEck Holub” |
|
|
The Essence of Christian Meditation $9.95 “no description” |
|
|
Guided Meditation For Sleep $4.99 We believe it is important to preserve what makes music special, and make it easy to craft listening experiences. At MOG, browse millions songs and play them instantly. Or just turn on radio where you can stop and replay songs. You can also create playlists for any occasion, and even download songs to your mobile. We are dedicated to employing the cleanest but most powerful technology so you can enjoy music as much as ever. |
|
|
Reflections: A Guided Meditation $4.99 For everything you do, there’s a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go. |
|
|
Dhyanam – Guided Meditation $4.99 For everything you do, there’s a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go. |
|
|
Angels – Guided Meditation For Children $4.99 For everything you do, there’s a song that hits the spot. MOG brings them all to you: a world of music on demand, unlimited mobile downloads and ways to discover music free from the limitations of Pandora. The music you love, with you everywhere you go. |
|
|
Christ-Centered Meditation: Handbook for Spiritual Practice $28.55 Used – Provides the reader with insights and tools to enrich his/her spiritual practice through “passive” meditative techniques, which involves stilling the conscious mind, and “active” meditative techniques, using guided visualizations and interaction with others. These are derived from Christian contemplative and Eastern meditation traditions. Unique to this handbook are exercises for couples and families. Included is a thirty-day plan of contemplation on Christ. |
|
|
Christ-Centered Meditation: Handbook for Spiritual Practice $60.95 New – Provides the reader with insights and tools to enrich his/her spiritual practice through “passive” meditative techniques, which involves stilling the conscious mind, and “active” meditative techniques, using guided visualizations and interaction with others. These are derived from Christian contemplative and Eastern meditation traditions. Unique to this handbook are exercises for couples and families. Included is a thirty-day plan of contemplation on Christ. |
|
|
Christ-Centered Meditation: Handbook for Spiritual Practice $42.35 New – Provides the reader with insights and tools to enrich his/her spiritual practice through “passive” meditative techniques, which involves stilling the conscious mind, and “active” meditative techniques, using guided visualizations and interaction with others. These are derived from Christian contemplative and Eastern meditation traditions. Unique to this handbook are exercises for couples and families. Included is a thirty-day plan of contemplation on Christ. |
|
|
Christ-Centered Meditation: Handbook for Spiritual Practice $60.95 Used – Provides the reader with insights and tools to enrich his/her spiritual practice through “passive” meditative techniques, which involves stilling the conscious mind, and “active” meditative techniques, using guided visualizations and interaction with others. These are derived from Christian contemplative and Eastern meditation traditions. Unique to this handbook are exercises for couples and families. Included is a thirty-day plan of contemplation on Christ. |
|
|
Christ-Centered Meditation: Handbook for Spiritual Practice $42.5 Used – Provides the reader with insights and tools to enrich his/her spiritual practice through “passive” meditative techniques, which involves stilling the conscious mind, and “active” meditative techniques, using guided visualizations and interaction with others. These are derived from Christian contemplative and Eastern meditation traditions. Unique to this handbook are exercises for couples and families. Included is a thirty-day plan of contemplation on Christ. |
|
|
Christ-Centered Meditation: Handbook for Spiritual Practice $11.55 Used – Provides the reader with insights and tools to enrich his/her spiritual practice through “passive” meditative techniques, which involves stilling the conscious mind, and “active” meditative techniques, using guided visualizations and interaction with others. These are derived from Christian contemplative and Eastern meditation traditions. Unique to this handbook are exercises for couples and families. Included is a thirty-day plan of contemplation on Christ. |
|
|
Contemplative Vision: A Guide to Christian Art and Prayer $17 While working as a docent in an art gallery, Juliet Benner began showing people how to meditate on Christian art treasures that are rooted in a passage of Scripture. She taught a way of encountering the Word behind both the words of Scripture and the artist’s meditation on Scripture. This became a way of seeing art as an aid to contemplative prayer.This process resulted in her much-beloved “O Taste and See” columns that appeared in the spiritual formation journal Conversations, now expanded into this book. In each chapter you’ll encounter a passage of Scripture and a corresponding piece of art. You’ll be guided into deeper levels of meaning and reflection through the text and the questions at the end of each chapter. In the process you’ll find yourself entering into a new experience of prayer and meditation in God’s presence. |
|
|
Experiencing God in His Word and World: Guided Meditations in the Psalms $7.47 Used – We innately muse and meditate. Children gaze delightedly on a photograph of an earlier age. Adults are transfixed by a waterfall. Lovers wonder at the romance of a moonlit night. Spiritual disciples attempt to understand their pilgrimage and their relationship to God. Christian meditation is an essential spiritual discipline (and joy) for all believers. The Psalms have been both a primary source and a catalyst for spiritual meditation throughout the ages. This book is a practical applicat |
|
|
Experiencing God in His Word and World: Guided Meditations in the Psalms $10.66 Used – We innately muse and meditate. Children gaze delightedly on a photograph of an earlier age. Adults are transfixed by a waterfall. Lovers wonder at the romance of a moonlit night. Spiritual disciples attempt to understand their pilgrimage and their relationship to God. Christian meditation is an essential spiritual discipline (and joy) for all believers. The Psalms have been both a primary source and a catalyst for spiritual meditation throughout the ages. This book is a practical applicat |
|
|
God’s Promises Devotional Journal: 365 Days of Experiencing the Lord’s Blessings $0.25 A guided journal to lead you through the promises God has for every believer.More than 20 of our leading Christian authors bring inspiration and encouragement every day of the year. Guided questions and commentary gently lead the way for personal meditation and reflection on God’s promises for your life. Journaling space is provided for recording your thoughts and prayers, and for promoting quality quiet time alone with the Lord. |
|
|
God’s Promises Devotional Journal: 365 Days of Experiencing the Lord’s Blessings $0.99 New – A guided journal to lead you through the promises God has for every believer. More than 20 of our leading Christian authors bring inspiration and encouragement every day of the year. Guided questions and commentary gently lead the way for personal meditation and reflection on God’s promises for your life. Journaling space is provided for recording your thoughts and prayers, and for promoting quality quiet time alone with the Lord. |
|
|
God’s Promises Devotional Journal: 365 Days of Experiencing the Lord’s Blessings $5.08 New – A guided journal to lead you through the promises God has for every believer. More than 20 of our leading Christian authors bring inspiration and encouragement every day of the year. Guided questions and commentary gently lead the way for personal meditation and reflection on God’s promises for your life. Journaling space is provided for recording your thoughts and prayers, and for promoting quality quiet time alone with the Lord. |
|
|
God’s Promises Devotional Journal: 365 Days of Experiencing the Lord’s Blessings $16.99 A guided journal to lead you through the promises God has for every believer.More than 20 of our leading Christian authors bring inspiration and encouragement every day of the year. Guided questions and commentary gently lead the way for personal meditation and reflection on God’s promises for your life. Journaling space is provided for recording your thoughts and prayers, and for promoting quality quiet time alone with the Lord. |
|
|
Healing with Chakra Energy: Restoring the Natural Harmony of the Body $1.99 Authors Lilla Bek and Philippa Pullar describe how our healing capacities can be developed by applying the energy centered in the seven major chakras to the process of healing by special techniques including meditation, visualization, and relaxation. They see spiritual healing not as an alternative to orthodox medicine, but as a way to enhance and supplement the work of health care practitioners by enabling the sick to tap into their own inner strength and to trigger within themselves the will to be well. In this guidebook to spiritual healing, the authors discuss: • The history of the healing arts in ancient Egypt and Greece and the early Christian church. • The the aura, the subtle bodies, and the relation of the chakras to the colored rays. • The balancing of dominant colors with their complements. • Dowsing for information about health. • The use of spirit guides. • Developing attunement and becoming a channel for healing energies. • Physical and psychic influences in the environment and their relation to disease. • Special practices for cleansing, relaxation, meditation, breathing, visualization, guided meditation, and contacting the higher energies. Lilla Bek is an internationally recognized spiritual healer, yoga teacher, and writer. She is a Fellow of the National (British) Federation of Spiritual Healers, and lives in Cheshire, England. Philippa Pullar is also a healer who lives in Ireland and London. She is a recipient of the Society of Authors Traveling Fellowship. |
|
|
Heart Chakra Meditations $13.97 The transcendental, humming pulse of consciousness can be heard in the center of the fourth chakra: the human body’s heart center. As this chakra is balanced and energized, faith, devotion, and harmony in our relationships unfold. Here, world-renowned drummer and author Layne Redmond offers Heart Chakra Meditations—two CDs specially recorded to purify the heart chakra, and fine-tune our receptivity for love at the core of our entire being. On CD One, Layne offers listeners a complete series of pranayama exercises, guided meditations, and a unique shavasana (relaxation) practice to balance and tone the heart chakra. On CD Two, she presents a masterful chanting practice that blends Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and is the perfect accompaniment to meditation, massage, yoga, or trance work. Also included is a 20-minute recording of the human heartbeat— a powerful healing sound that opens our hearts, and connects us to all of life. |
|
|
Heart Chakra Meditations $11.45 The transcendental, humming pulse of consciousness can be heard in the center of the fourth chakra: the human body’s heart center. As this chakra is balanced and energized, faith, devotion, and harmony in our relationships unfold. Here, world-renowned drummer and author Layne Redmond offers Heart Chakra Meditations—two CDs specially recorded to purify the heart chakra, and fine-tune our receptivity for love at the core of our entire being. On CD One, Layne offers listeners a complete series of pranayama exercises, guided meditations, and a unique shavasana (relaxation) practice to balance and tone the heart chakra. On CD Two, she presents a masterful chanting practice that blends Christian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and is the perfect accompaniment to meditation, massage, yoga, or trance work. Also included is a 20-minute recording of the human heartbeat— a powerful healing sound that opens our hearts, and connects us to all of life. |
|
|
Magical Christianity: The Power of Symbols for Spiritual Renewal $15 Coleston Brown—scholar and expert on the esoteric Christian traditions—reaches far beyond any other book of its genre to bring us a truly experiential form of Christianity. Drawing on the myths, legends, lore, and symbols inherent in the Christian tradition, Brown reveals the potential in all of us to use, as he does, Magical Christianity as a practice for healing and regenerating the spirit. Brown combines the insights he gained as a student under Gareth Knight, a renowned authority on Kabbalistic magic, with his own study of ancient texts and practice of the esoteric Christian tradition, developing this new work, the official text and formal course of training in what is now known as the Western Magical Tradition. Readers will be captivated by the symbols Brown covers in this book, including the sphere, the holy fire, the wheel of life, and the planes of being. He even details the magical power of sacred architecture rich in the Christian tradition as a basis for magical practice. This revised edition also includes an experiential meditation at the end of each chapter and a CD of guided meditations to bring readers more deeply into the transformative power of Christian symbolism. |
|
|
Meditation for Christians $15.04 A practice-oriented course in Christianity’s unique meditation tradition –“contemplative prayer”–presented by James Finley, author, teacher, and former student of Thomas Merton. Finley has been at the forefront of the Christian meditation movement for over 20 years, and in this guided “retreat”, he leads listeners into their own direct experience of the heart of contemplative prayer. Includes a complete guided session on the practice of Christian meditation. |
|
|
Mosaic-NLT $31.55 Encounter Christ on every continent and in every century of Christian History. A new genre of Bible–a weekly meditation Bible– Holy Bible: Mosaic is an invitation to experience Christ both in His word and in the responses of his people. Each week, as you reflect on guided Scripture readings aligned with the church seasons, you will receive a wealth of insight from historical and contemporary writings. Full-color artwork will engage the soul; quotes, hymns, prayers, and poems enhance the rich devotional experience. Also includes a Dictionary/Concordance, NLT word study system with Hebrew/ Greek dictionary. A beautiful layout of art and devotional content, and an online community and content (coming Fall 2009) will extend the experience. |
|
|
Seeds of Trust $9.38 Love, forgiveness, hope, inner healing, and discernment are the goals of Taize–a form of Christian meditation explained in this guide. Providing a Bible passage for each two-page spread and including reflections, songs or chants, guided questions for contemplation, and prayers, this collection of meditations can be used to overcome fears and anxieties, nurturing trust in the human heart. |
