Meditation and Impertinence

There is a popular approach to “meditation” that has the impertinence to put words in the mouth of Jesus. The leader of the meditation sets a scene, perhaps a woodland, mountain, or ocean scene, and places you in that scene with Jesus, and then has the Jesus of his, or her, imagination tell you what Jesus is saying to you. I know that often the intention is good, but it banks on reference points and scenes that you might not be able to identify with, and makes assumptions about your life and experiences that are sometimes unwarranted.

One very popular book uses this technique, putting the following words in the mouth of Jesus, “Don’t let unexpected events throw you off course. Rather, respond calmly and confidently, remembering that I am with you.” Now that is good wisdom, and perhaps fair enough theologically, but those are not the words of Jesus, but the words of the author. If the leader is biblically and theologically informed his, or h er, assumptions may be generally true, but they may not in fact apply to you.

A safe way to set the scene for the meditation is to draw on any number of biblical scenes or stories that you might be able to enter into imaginatively; then allow God through that scene or story to speak to you. The meditation should draw you into the presence of God where you can listen to what God is saying to you in that scene or story, not tell you what the leader thinks God is saying.

The true goal of a meditation is to lead you into the Presence of God, rather than attempting to instruct you or move you any particular direction. The classic Benedictine approach to meditation is Lectio Divina, which has four steps; Reading, Reflecting, Responding, and Resting. Read the biblical passage over several times. Reflect on the meaning of the passage and what God might be saying to you. Respond to God in prayer. Then Rest in the Presence of God.