Spiritual Solutions

Meditation can help you to understand something of your own unique relationship with the Infinite process. Just as you have been conditioned to think that God is “out there” or “up there,” so your prayer has probably been much the same as forging out into the world to make a new career. Prayer has been a going up or out, a trying to make contact with some secret source of divine support.

In meditation, we are not trying to reach something, but to give up the idea of reaching. It is a matter of being still. It is a process of experiencing an inner flow. To understand this, we need to revise our understanding of God.

GGod is not a person to be prayed to; God is a dynamic flow of power and love to be prayed from. You need to “plug in” to this Presence. As Jesus said, “the kingdom of heaven is within you.” (Luke 17:21) Our goal should be to let it come “on earth as it is in heaven.”

We live in a supportive Universe, and we are surrounded by the supportive Presence of God. We don’t have to reach far away from ourselves to find God. We must let down our defenses, give our consent, and let God express through us.

In order to clarify this idea, let me suggest that instead of praying to God, know that God is praying for you. Know that the entire supportive process of the Universe is on your side, working for you. It will heal you, help you, and guide you, if you only get still. Your need is not to “get it” but to “let it . . .” The Bible says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jer. 31:3)

Don’t approach your meditation as if you were entering a void, nor with the thought of sitting in an empty room, nor with the thought that you are alone. Tell yourself that when you get still enough, the whole, dynamic activity of the Universe is moving in and through you, and it’s flowing forth as you in a dynamic, meaningful process.

Divine Mind is not off somewhere, a place you might reach if you pray in a certain way. You live in Divine Mind. You are an activity of Divine Mind.

Many people have subscribed to all sorts of Eastern practices such as Yoga. These are helpful as a discipline if you feel the need for that discipline. But a proper posture for meditation may also be sitting in a straight-back chair, feet flat on the floor, hands folded and body erect.

Whatever you choose to do, don’t make a fetish out of the position. The only reason for assuming any posture is to make it easier to center your attention on God, and to become receptive to God’s Infinite power. This is not meant as a criticism of any particular practice, but simply a reminder that “it is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is of no avail.” (John 6:63)

The first step in meditation is to realize that God is not to be reached for, but that God is already present. The second step is letting go of your tensions, a drill in relaxation, suggesting to your body that it is free and relaxed, and suggesting to your mind that it is open and receptive. “Be still and know . . .”

Sometimes I use the suggestion, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) as a vehicle for going into meditation by dropping off one word at a time as I focus on relaxing and going deeper, i.e. “Be still and know that I am God . . . be still and know that I am . . . be still and know that I . . . be still and know that . . . be still and know . . . be still and . . .be still . . . be.”

Then I rest in stillness and silence. If and when extraneous thoughts come up I may use a “sacred” word of my own choosing that reminds me to bring my attention back to focusing on the Presence.

Don’t expect a loud voice or colored lights, or any kind of phenomena or show. This may happen because of your imaginative nature, but this is not “where it’s at.” Just be still and know that there is a flow in you.

To paraphrase the words of Plotinus, if you can get yourself relaxed enough, and get you out of the way, “the spirit will come rushing, streaming, and pouring into you from all sides while you stand quiet.”

There is no way to tell you “how” to meditate. I can only share some ideas that can lead you into your meditation. If you are sincere enough and relaxed enough, the Infinite process will work through you.

Remember, God is Blessing You Right Now!

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Rev. Alan A. Rowbotham, a Unity minister for over thirty-seven years, invites you to subscribe to his free inspirational newsletter, Spiritual Solutions.

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