Discipline in your faith Part 16 – Forms of Meditation Part 1

Die eerste Innerlike Dissipline wat Richard Foster (in sy boek “Celebration of Discipline”) noem, is meditasie. (Alle aanhalings is uit sy boek.) In die vorige inskrywing het ons bietjie gekyk na sekere voorbereidings as dit kom by meditasie. Ons het geleer oor die tyd, plek en liggaamshouding in die voorbereidingsproses vir meditasie. Vandag kyk ons na watter vorme van meditasie daar bestaan.

The first on the Inward Disciplines, that Richard Foster (in his book “Celebration of Discipline”) mentions, is meditation. (All quotes are taken from his book). In the previous blog, we looked at some preparation regarding meditation. We learned about the time, place and posture in the process of preparing for meditation. Today we will look at the forms of meditation that exists.

 

Remember: Meditation is about listening to God, communication with the Creator of everything and of experiencing the eternal Lover of the world.

Onthou: Meditasie gaan oor luister na God, kommunikasie met die Skepper van alles en van die belewenis van die ewige Liefhebber van die wêreld.

Meditation upon Scripture are always the central reference point by which all other forms of meditation are kept in proper perspective. The study of Scripture centres on exegesis (understanding of the Scripture); meditation of Scripture centres on internalising and personalising the passage. The written Word becomes a living word that is addressed to you. Meditation-time is not a time for studies, analysis or gathering of material to share with others. Set aside tendencies toward arrogance, and receive with a humble heart the word addressed to you! Start practicing even half an hour a day for meditation; just thinking upon the Word you are reading – without any other technical analysis and studies.

Meditasie oor die Skrif staan altyd sentraal as verwysingspunt waardeur alle ander vorme van meditasie in perspektief gehou word. Die studie van die Skrif sentreer rondom eksegese (verstaan van die Skrif); meditasie van die Skrif sentreer rondom die internalisering en verpersoonliking van die stuk. Die geskrewe Woord word die lewende woord wat jou aanspreek en addresseer. Meditasie-tyd is nie ‘n tyd vir studies, analises of versameling van materiaal om met ander te deel nie. Sit neigings van arrogansie eenkant, en ontvang met ‘n nederige hart die woord wat aan jou gerig word! Begin om selfs ‘n halfuur per dag te spandeer in meditasie; dink net oor die Woord wat jy lees – sonder enige tegniese analises of studies.

Resist the temptation to pass over many passages superficially. There are people who recommend spending a whole week on a single text. There are even a “movement” called “Dwelling in the Word” that suggest you meditate on a single text for even a much longer time – even up to a year! Take a single event, a parable or a few verses. Seek to live the experience. Try to experience it with all of your senses.

Bly weg van die versoeking om vinnig oor (baie) gedeeltes te lees. Daar is mense wat voorstel dat jy ‘n hele week spandeer aan ‘n enkele teksgedeelte. Daar is selfs ‘n “beweging” genoem “Wandel in die Woord” wat voorstel dat jy mediteer oor ‘n enkele teksgedeelte vir baie langer – selfs tot ‘n jaar lank! Neem ‘n enkele gebeurtenis, ‘n gelykenis of ‘n paar verse. Probeer om die belewenis te leef. Probeer om dit te beleef met al jou sintuie.

Take for an example Jesus’ statement: “My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Our task is not so much to study the passage. It’s rather to be initiated into the reality of which the passage speaks. We think on the truth that He is filling us with His peace. Then the heart, mind and spirit starts to awaken to this inflowing peace. Rather than dissecting the peace, we enter into it. We become enveloped, absorbed and gathered into his peace. The self becomes forgotten. And we don’t have to even try to live peacefully; it becomes natural to us.

Neem as voorbeeld Jesus se stelling: “My vrede gee Ek aan julle” (Johannes 14:27). Ons taak is nie soseer om die gedeelte te studier nie. Dit behels eerder om geinisieer te word in die realiteit waarvan die gedeelte praat. Ons dink oor die waarheid dat Sy vrede ons vul. Dan begin ons harte, gedagtes en gees ontwaak deur hierdie invloeiende vrede. Eerder as om die vrede te analiseer, tree ons in dit in. Ons word omvou, geabsorbeer en “versamel” in Sy vrede in. Die eie-ek raak selfs vergete. Ons hoef ook nie meer te probeer om vredevol te lewe nie; dit word natuurlik vir ons.

We are not passive observers in the “story”, but active participants. Christ is also truly with us to teach us, to heal us and to forgive us.

Ons is nie passiewe kykers in die “storie” nie, maar aktiewe deelnemers. Christus is ook waarlik met ons om ons te leer, te genees en te vergewe.

In die volgende inskrywing gaan ons kyk na nog vorme van meditasie.

In the next blog, we will look at more forms of meditation.

Discipline in your faith Part 15 – Suggestions for Meditation

Die eerste Innerlike Dissipline wat Richard Foster (in sy boek “Celebration of Discipline”) noem, is meditasie. (Alle aanhalings is uit sy boek.) In die vorige inskrywing het ons bietjie gekyk na die begeerte na die lewende stem van God. Ons het gesien dat ons nooit werklik die begeerte sal hê om Sy stem te hoor as ons nie bereid gaan wees om tyd te maak en Hom te vra om ons te help om die begeerte te hê (en Sy stem te hoor) nie. Vandag gaan ons bietjie kyk na hoe ons kan voorberei om te mediteer.

The first on the Inward Disciplines, that Richard Foster (in his book “Celebration of Discipline”) mentions, is meditation. (All quotes are taken from his book). In the previous blog, we looked at the desire to hear the living voice of god. We saw that we can never really have the desire to hear His voice if we are not willing to make time and ask Him to help us to get the desire (and hear His) voice. Today we will look at the whole idea of desiring God’s living voice.

 

No one can learn to meditate from a book. You might learn a lot about meditation, but not to actually meditate. We learn to meditate by meditating. Following, are suggestions on how to start meditating. Notice: It is suggestions, and should not be made laws and they are not meant to confine you!

Niemand kan leer hoe om te mediteer vanuit ‘n boek nie. Jy mag dalk baie leer oor meditasie, maar nie hoe om te mediteer nie. Ons leer hoe om te mediteer deur te mediteer! Hierna volg ‘n paar voorstelle in hoe om te mediteer. Let wel: Dit is net voorstelle, en moet nie wette gemaak word nie en dit is nie bedoel om jou in te perk nie.

The question is: Is there a proper time for meditation? As one gets more “practiced” at meditation, you can practice meditation at any time and under almost any situation. It is preferable in some way to “book” part of a day for meditation, though. Contemplative prayer should be a way of life. It’s not meant to become just another religious act, just because it is set at a specific time of the day. Paul encourages prayer without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. This notion of “fixing of a specific time” for meditation, implies that we plan our days more carefully, so that we are not rushed in our time(s) of meditation.

Die vraag is: Is daar ‘n regte tyd vir meditasie? Soos wat mens “geoefen” raak in meditasie, kan mens meditasie beoefen op enige tyd en onder omtrent enige situasie. Dit is egter beter om ‘n deel van ‘n dag te “bespreek” vir meditasie. Oordenkende gebed (Meditasie) moet ‘n lewenswyse wees. Dit is nie bedoel om net nog ‘n godsdienstige aktiwiteit te wees, net omdat dit afgesonder word vir ‘n spesifieke deel van die dag nie. Paulus bemoedig ons in 1 Tessalonisense om aanhoudend te bid. Hierdie gedagte van “vasstelling van ‘n spesifieke tyd” vir meditasie, impliseer dat ons ons dae versigtig moet beplan, sodat ons nie gejaagd voel in ons tyd/tye van meditasie nie.

What about a place for meditation? The best place for meditation is anywhere that is free of interruption and that is quiet. Work on getting one “designed” place for your daily meditation times, rather than to search for a place every day.

Wat van ‘n plek vir meditasie? Die beste plek vir meditasie is enige plek waar jy nie onderbreek sal word nie en wat stil is. Werk daaraan om ‘n “vasgestelde” plek te kry vir jou daaglikse meditasie, eerder as om elke dag vir ‘n plek te soek.

Are there a best posture for meditation? There are no “law” that prescribes a correct posture. In a sense posture makes no real difference at all – you can pray anywhere, any time and in any position. On the other hand, posture is very important. The body, mind and spirit are inseparable. Tension in the spirit can translate into body language.

Is daar ‘n beste liggaamshouding vir meditasie. Daar is geen “wet” wat ‘n korrekte liggaamshouding voorskryf nie. In ‘n sekere sin maak liggaamshouding geen verskil nie – jy kan enige plek, enige tyd en in enige posisie bid. Aan die ander kant is liggaamshouding baie belangrik. Die liggaam, siel en gees kan nie geskei word nie. Spanning in die gees kan maklik tot uiting kom in die gees.

The best thing you can do, is to find a position that is most comfortable for you, as well as the least distracting.

Die beste ding om te doen, is om ‘n posisie te kry waarmee jy die meeste gemaklik is, en wat ook die minste aandag-afleibaar is.

Maybe it is time for you to stop now and think about the way you want to meditate in the future. Start planning a time for your meditation and work out an ideal position for YOU to meditate. Then start practicing it.

Miskien is dit tyd dat jy nou stop en dink oor die manier waarop jy wil mediteer in die toekoms. Begin beplan aan ‘n tyd vir jou meditasie en werk ‘n ideale posisie uit vir JOU om te mediteer. Begin dit dan oefen.

In the next blog we will look at some forms of meditation.

In die volgende inskrywing sal ons bietjie kyk na verskillende vorme van meditasie.