First Baptist Church of Herndon

Meditate on what?

Linda Soller | Oct 14, 2013

A couple of weeks back I attended a professional meeting that dealt with the value of meditation in the work place. The speaker talked about how it impacted stress, morale, and health. The stats she shared were impressive. Oddly enough the room was pretty much split in half between those who had never tried meditation and those who were believers. On the one side the people said there was never time to meditate and they wouldn’t know how to do it anyway. On the other side, my side, we spoke of learning to meditate in yoga class or elsewhere and what a valuable tool it can be. I remember when I first took a yoga class and a friend looked at me like I’d grown an extra head and asked, “Why would you want to do that?” I was thinking it would be nice to maybe touch my toes again, but decided to tell my friend that I understood it was healthy and relaxing. I didn’t convert her, but I was right. I found it to be challenging at first but also very relaxing. I never fell asleep during the relaxation/meditation part, but others in the class would drop right off. To this day despite my sporadic practice of yoga, I am still able to quiet my thoughts and calm myself through meditation.

During the meeting the speaker said, “We are going to try a seated meditation so you can experience what I am explaining.” Everyone closed their eyes and she talked us through a 10 minute meditation. There was an interesting feel to the room afterwards. We believers were calm and relaxed just like we had anticipated. The non-believers were a bit baffled by what had happened. Some spoke of nodding off, others told of how hard it had been to shut out their busy thoughts, while others just smiled. Next the speaker asked us to relate how and when we used meditation in our day. I raised my hand and explained that there are multiple ways I can get to work, but one way includes two and sometimes three sections of road that have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour. I stated that I take that route and use the forced drop in speed to help me slow my thoughts. While I am not actually meditating I do appreciate the calm of the pace. To my surprise there were audible groans from the non-believers and one lady covered her face and shook her head saying, “I just hate those 25 mile an hour zones.” On the believer side I noticed heads shaking in agreement that we can appreciate those slower moments in our day.

I have two points to make with my little story. The first is that no matter how harmless your viewpoint may seem to you there will be someone who disagrees or even thinks you’re crazy. Not to worry, you’re entitled to your opinion and feelings. So I will continue to drive in my 25 mile an hour zones and ignore the cars piling up behind me. Okay, so sometimes I am going closer to 30 miles an hour, but trust me the cars still pile up.

Second and more important is the concept of meditation. Meditation is not some crazy foreign voodoo that is anti-Christian. It is pro-wellness. I can now meditate because at one point I was shown how, but that doesn’t mean you have to take a yoga class. I just happen to learn faster by observing and doing. Don’t toss out the idea because it seems strange to you. I personally think God would like to see us all less stressed, in better moods, and in better health. He has given us this amazing vessel which is unique to each person, but does require maintenance. So I leave you with a thought, which would make a great mantra.

Psalm 19:14   “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Have a great week :o) Linda