So what, exactly, is meditation?

Well, you probably won't get everyone to agree exactly on a definition - but let's take a fairly traditional Christian approach.

You can think of ways of prayerful meditation as falling into two distinct groups:

   - kataphatic (from Greek: 'with images')
   - apophatic

Odd words, eh?

Kataphatic prayer uses images - symbols, ideas, experience. Ignatian spirituality tends to be kataphatic - using imagination, words and pictures (inner or otherwise).

Apophatic prayer uses no content - it involves emptying ourselves of images, ideas and sensations. Carmelite nuns are expert in apophatic prayer - the still, centering prayer.

Lectio divina - which the last two posts have been about - tends to straddle both traditions - kataphatic and apophatic. It depends really on how you use the scripture passage that is chosen.

Of course, we're all different, and it's good to try different ways of prayer to discover which approaches suit us - or even, suit us in particular circumstances. That's what this website is about, really. Exploring tried and tested ways of praying in order that we might grow in spiritual maturity and awareness of God.

Anyway, enough of boring theory! Let's have a bit of practice! Shall we try a bit of apopathic meditation for a change?!! It's probably best to read the next passage through once or twice before doing this - you might want to close your eyes!

But first remember that, in this type of prayer, the aim is not to achieve a void, but a 'being with' the living God.
Now, are you in a quiet, still environment?
Are you in a comfortable position?
Then, let's begin!

Be still, let your body and your mind calm down from the busyness of the day...

Relax each of your limbs in turn:
   - right leg...
   - left leg...
   - right arm...
   - left arm...
Feel your limbs getting heavier as they relax...

Now, allow your pelvis and your tummy muscles to loosen. Feel your weight in your legs and hips. And as your muscles begin to unwind, be aware of your thoughts and feelings becoming calmer too.

Next, move your attention to your chest and then move up to your neck and shoulders. Notice the big muscles there - sense them, feel them - you might want to move them - and then allow them to soften and lengthen...

Now for your face muscles - feel the muscles around your mouth, around your eyes, your jaw muscles, your forehead... let them loosen and become softer...
Allow your scalp and your temples to let go of any tension or tightness they are holding...

You are feeling calm and still.
Stay like that for a minute or so...
Calm and still...

Then...
...focus on your breathing - feel your breaths coming from deep in the pit of the stomach. Don't worry about the speed or regularity - just breathe comfortably and deeply from deep inside your tummy...

Now, on each in-breath say the words, "My God",
and on the out-breath just be with your God.

After 5 or 10 minutes allow yourself to become aware of the room/space around you. And ask God to help you to continue to stay aware of God's presence in and around you as you 'come back' to your usual everyday awareness.

Now, share your thoughts with God as one friend to another.

And the blessing of God remain with you throughout the rest of your day/night.
Amen.