President David O. McKay said this about mediation:
In our worship there are two elements: One is the spiritualThus, meditation is an important activity if we are really wanting to draw close to the Lord. But how do you meditate?
communion arising from our own meditation; the other,
instruction from others. . . . Of the two, the more
profitable . . . is the meditation. Meditation is one of
the most secret, most sacred doors through which we
pass into the presence of the Lord.
Philip McLemore, a retired LDS Air Force Chaplin, wrote a fantastic article in Sunstone entitled "Mormon Mantras: A Journey of Spiritual Transformation." What brother McLemore does is show members how they can incorporate "Mormon Mantras" in their meditation to help them in the process. Individuals who practice Eastern religions as well as those who practice Catholocisim often repeat a mantra while they are meditating. The repetition helps people focus their thoughts, so that their meditation is effective.
Brother McLemore offers ideas for different LDS Mantras taken from the scriptures.
Some members will probably say this vain repetition. I argue it's not. As long as you sincerely mean what you say as you meditate, the repetition is not vain- it's just repetition. Read the article to day and start your spiritual expansion with meditation.
- “Be still and know that I Am God” (Psalm 46:10).
- “Love as Christ loved” (John 13:34).
enlightenment]” (2 Nephi 2:2).
- “Afflictions are consecrated for my growth [or
miracles” (Gordon B. Hinckley, “Forgiveness,”
- “Forgiveness, with love and tolerance, accomplishes
Ensign, November 2005).
- I am in your midst (D&C 29:5)
2 Comments:
As someone whose mind strays all over the map (my wife often reminds me to take a break from a tricky physics problem, as I often figure it out while it's on the back burner), this is a nice idea for me. Thank you.
As I've understood it the choice of word or phrase is not so critical. The point of the repetition isn't to think sincerely about the phrase but rather not to think. You return to it again and again when your mind starts to wander.
You could say that meditation is about finding out what your mind does when you get yourself to shut up for a change! That's how it's been for me.
Post a Comment