26. Meditation

To meditate is to intently pay attention to something with all of one’s mind.  The spiritual practice of meditation is to intently listen to that which one cannot physically hear.

There are two spiritual practices commonly called “mediation.”  We will speak of the meditation of Scripture later.  Here, we wish to focus on meditation without an object.

This form of meditation is stereotypically considered to be in a “lotus” position, legs crossed. The most important thing is to remain comfortable and stable but still alert.  Sitting on a chair would work, or on the floor.  Laying down encourages one to sleep, which isn’t the goal of the practice.

The next step is to empty one’s mind, which sounds like one must take a broom, and sweep the cobwebs out.  But really, it is a waiting game.  You sit, and allow thoughts and worries and tasks to appear in your mind, but do not engage them.  Just let them go by the wayside, and do that with all the thoughts that appear.  Until you are left with nothing.

And in that nothingness is where the Spirit may dwell.  This meditation is obtaining the silence, not just of sound, but of the mind and soul. It is an inner peace where one might find that which no ear may hear, and no eye may see.