11 Quotes on Meditation
Super Meta: Meditating on Meditation
Of all the spiritual disciplines, meditation is probably the most mystical sounding to our ears, if you would. Perhaps some of us might have pause or hesitancy to try it. However, the popular cultural assumptions aside, Biblical meditation is in fact a central practice in Christian spirituality.
Don’t believe me?
Consider these quotes from some of the great writers in Christian history. Meditate on their words and even their experience that led them to write these sentences.
See what I did there?
“The reason we come away so cold from reading the word is because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.”
“They usually thrive best who meditate most.”
“Why do I meditate? Because I am a Christian. Therefore, every day in which I do not penetrate more deeply into the knowledge of God’s Word in Holy Scripture is a lost day for me. I can only move forward with certainty upon the firm ground of the Word of God.”
“There is however a difference between meditating and thinking. To meditate means to think persistently, deeply and diligently. Properly speaking, it means to chew over something in the heart. ”
“Meditation is like the shining of the sun, it operates upon the affections, it warms the heart and makes it more holy. Meditation fetches life in a truth.”
“How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each Truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.”
“If you feel that we live in a purely physical universe, you will view meditation as a good way to obtain a consistent alpha brain wave pattern. But if you believe that we live in a universe created by the infinite, personal God who delights in our communion with Him, you will see meditation as communication between the Lover and the one beloved.”
“The finger of God is clearly seen by us when we pursue meditation.”
“It is not the busy skimming over religious books or the careless hastening through religious duties which makes for a strong Christian faith. Rather, it is unhurried meditation on gospel truths and the exposing of our minds to these truths that yields the fruit of sanctified character.”
“Meditate on the Word in the Word; that is, in the reading of it, consider the sense in the particular passages, looking to God for help, guidance, and direction.”
“Meditation is getting your heart by sort of the scruff of the neck and looking at it and saying, “How should you be if you’re that forgiven? How should you live if you’re that loved? How should you behave if you’ve been bought at such an incredible price? Look, soul. Think, soul. Think it out, soul.”
For a fuller treatment of the benefits and practices of Biblical Meditation, check out the sermon Meditation from our People of the Deep Series.
Recommended Resources
Sermon: Meditation
Biblical meditation is a practice that is both commanded and modeled in Scripture as the pathway to the good life. This week, we explore Psalm 1 to see what meditation is as well as some of its incredible benefits to our lives and how to practice it.
Article: Marking Time
The people of God have always been storytellers and if we want to break free of our disenchantment, we must find ways to immerse ourselves in the story of Scripture. A simple way to do this is by a practice known as “marking time.”
Article: Thomas Watson on Meditation
Thomas Watson was a 17th century English preacher and writer. His classic work on meditation, A Christian on the Mount, contains some of the best and most practical treatments of the spiritual discipline available. Check out these 9 Quotes from the book.