Spiritual Disciplines Course.

Introduction to the Discipline of Meditation.

Problems we may have with meditation.

• We know we need to break out of the chaos and allow God to restore us in meditation, but we often lack the discipline to actually do it.

• We may not have any experience in meditation, and don't know how to go about it.

• We may have tried it and felt we haven't succeeded immediately and just given up.

• Sometimes our lives just seem to be too crowded, with work, families, our homes, and all the other seemingly necessary things that fill our days. We may have a deep desire to hear the Lord's voice, but our lives are so disorganised that we think that we can't see our way clear of the clutter. (If only we realised that the clutter would become manageable if we gave ourselves time to focus on God and see things from His perspective).

• We are sometimes afraid of coming into God's presence because we know we have to change. We may also be afraid of hearing God's voice telling us what to do.

• Our pride can put a wall up between us and God.

• We must guard against the notion that once we have performed certain acts at certain times we are finally meditating. (It is something which must become a way of life through learning by practice).

Five forms of meditation.

1. Meditation upon Scripture.

2. Re-collection.
   "Collecting" all that which worries us, handing it over to God, and then receiving his replacements e.g. give up pride, receive humility.. (Palms down, Palms up).

3. Meditation upon creation (with a focus on the Creator).

4. Meditation upon the events of our time (everyday events).
   We meditate upon the events of our time so that we can discern God's work in our world and in our lives. We need to seek God's guidance in our whole lives.

5. Memorisation of Scripture.

It is helpful at the beginning to follow the advice of the "masters", but we must remember that each person is an individual, and everyone's meditation will be a different, personalised thing.

Exercises:

1. Open your Bible to the chosen Bible reading. Leave it open in front of you.

2. Enter into God's presence in prayer, asking that His Spirit will bring His word to life for you.

3. Slow down. Consciously slow down your breathing; breathe deeper, more gently, invite the Holy Spirit into your life. With every deep breath in say, "I breathe in the Holy Spirit", with every deep breath out say, "I breath out the Love of God". Allow the Holy Spirit to penetrate every part of your being. Picture that happening.

4. Now read the scripture passage slowly. (Do not analyse or study it.) Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you what He wants.

5. When a word or phrase "lights up" or "rings a bell", put your bible down. Concentrate on God's word to you by repeating it (gently, not mechanically). Do not force any response/emotion; allow the Holy Spirit to work.

6. As you become aware of the impression (feeling/attitude) God's word has made on you, respond to God in prayer, or in silence if you wish. Be with Christ, bask in His love.

7. As distractions set in, close your prayer off in whatever way you want (you may wish to say the Lord's Prayer).

Reading Luke 10: 38-42 Acts 10 :1-27 Acts 8: 1-6, 26-40 Psalm 95 Jeremiah 18: 1-12 James 1: 22-27 John 12: 20 -36

Focus Listening to God in the quiet Listening to God through visions Listening to God through an inner voice Extol Him! Listening to God in our world Listen and obey The desert man

Songs of Advent
A Series of Meditations for Advent by Thom M. Shuman
During Advent, read the psalms and discover their power, their poetry, their prayers for your life.
You are invited to read the psalm listed for each day, the brief meditation, and then use the prayer offered or one of your own.