Christian meditation is something very different from the forms taught by Eastern philosophies. The difference between Eastern and Christian meditation is the role of one’s mind. In a yoga class you’ll be told to “empty” your mind, to become thought-less so to speak. This overrides one’s ability to judge thoughts as they come and go. The grid one uses to understand the world around them is shut down. All association of right and wrong is deactivated. If you have been involved in Eastern forms it’s time to make a change; replace an unbiblical practice with one that is explicitly taught and encouraged.

Paul instructed the church in 2 Corinthians 10.5-6,

We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.

This passage is often quoted in discussions about evangelism and apologetics, but that is the wrong context. Paul isn’t teaching believers how to war against the incorrect thinking of others; instead. We are to war against our own incorrect thinking. There are strongholds in our life that are damaging to us, arguments we hold to that aren’t biblical, teachings that keep us distant from God. How do we overcome? By taking every thought captive and making all things in our heart and our head obedient to Jesus. How do we do this?

To understand how to meditate we must first understand what meditation really is. It is not emptying one’s mind, nor is it opening ourselves to nature. The root of the Greek word for meditation means “to give attention to,” which is the opposite of most worldly forms of meditation. While Eastern meditation techniques teach us to empty our mind, the Bible teaches us to discipline our mind by evaluating our goals against the standard of God’s character. How do we do this? We are to turn our attention to God, his character and his teachings.

Deuteronomy 6.6-9 tell us,

These words I am commanding you today must be kept in mind, and you must teach them to your children and speak of them as you sit in your house, as you walk along the road, as you lie down, and as you get up. You should tie them as a reminder on your forearm and fasten them as symbols on your forehead. Inscribe them on the doorframes of your houses and gates.

So the teachings of God about God and our relationship to God are the subject of Christian meditation. Meditation isn't only asking “what would Jesus do?” it is plotting and executing a plan to do as Jesus did. When turning a verse or passage over in your mind the goal is to understand it as completely as possible without the assistance of aides like commentaries. It is instead pondering the meaning and asking what the passage says about God and our relationship to him and how should I change as a result of the answers to these questions? This practice comes with a warning, however. Meditation is the art of taking a thought captive to the obedience of Christ, not making God’s word say whatever we want it to.

Secondly, Biblical meditation should be practiced in a quiet place, away from others (it’s not a spectator sport), with an open Bible and a mind ready to inquire of the Holy Spirit that lives in us and guides us. This can be done with eyes open or closed, but must be performed in a quiet, prayerful state of reverence for God’s word and instruction.

Psalm 46.10 is best known as reading “Be still and know that I am God,” but a fuller translation states, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!” We see in the New Testament that Jesus frequently goes to a quiet place to pray and seek communion with the Father. Find a time and a place where you can be free of distraction and be still while focusing on the teachings of God. Even if its only 10 minutes, it is a practice that makes a difference in one’s relationship with God.