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Confused about Silence vs Meditation, well there is a difference. You want to meditate, but how is it different than silence?

It is so important to sit silently after prayer, meditation, or bible study, in order to soak in all you have just learned. But wait, didn’t I say meditation. Isn’t silence and meditation the same thing?

Nope.

Here is my definition:

Silence is basically not talking, inside your mind or aloud and being still.
Meditation includes silence, especially at the beginning but there is talking going on in your mind.

Both silence and meditation, you can do while in motion.

Are you a hot, cold or lukewarm Christian?

Free Downloadable for assessing where you are and where you need to go next.

Is there a difference between how the Eastern religions, Mindful

ness and New Age gurus practice silence and meditation, from the Christians?

Yes.

For Christians, believers in Christ Jesus who practice Silence and Meditation, our understanding and practice comes from God’s word.

• Habakkuk 2:20 (NIV) – “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. “ This implies being quiet, reverencing God, a peace, expecting God to show up and do something awesome.
• Revelation 8:1(NIV) – “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Here we find silence is not talking, not praising, no noise, just quietness, a stillness, an expectation or wonderment about what has just happened.
• Joshua 1:7 - 9 (NIV) – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We are told specifically what to meditate on - the laws handed down my Moses. Today this is the Bible because the laws have been included. Therefore, that means some thinking is going on inside your head or aloud. You are pondering, mulling over a word, phrase, thought, or idea.
• Psalm 77:10 - 12 (NIV) – “Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.  I will remember the deeds of the Lord: yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Again we are told what to ponder, ruminate our thoughts on.

When we practice silence and meditation we are gazing on God’s work and word. Slowing down and giving full attention to God is the foundation of Christian’s Silence and Meditation.

Below are practices for applying the spiritual disciplines of silence and meditation.

The Me Project Toolkit contains helpful tools and resources using silence and meditation to help you focus on seeking clarity for doing what God's called you to do. 

Spiritual Discipline to Practice: Silence & Meditation

Begin with quieting your thoughts. Thinking about putting your mind, thoughts, cares and worries at the feet of Jesus so you can be in the presence of God. Then listen to the sounds around you, slowly push them away as you find peace of Holy Spirit settling you from inside your body. Breathe. Breathe again. Breathe deeper. Then recite one of the memory verses for this month. Listening to each word, especially those that seem to jump out at you. Then end your time with sitting quietly and not thinking. Lastly, journal your experience.

Podcast Episode to revisit: Consider the Birds When Communing With God

Take The Spiritual Assessment Checklist to help you gauge where you are in walk with Christ and then develop your next steps.

Memory Verses: Try memorizing the two verses, below, for the rest of August. Post them around the house to help you keep them near and recite in your daily prayers, when applicable. Also write them in your journal as you reflect on what Holy Spirit is sharing with you from God. 

• Psalm 119:15
• John 15: 1 - 27

Bible Reading: Read through the Book of Proverbs

Plan to start August 1st and read one chapter a day until you finish on day 31. Purchase a journal from the store or get a composition book. Record the scripture and then your thoughts. Make sure after you read, you stop and listen for Holy Spirit to speak to you. In the comment section below let me know how things are going.

Bible Reading for September: Read through 1st and 2nd Corinthians

Plan to start September 1st and read one chapter a day until you finish on day 31. I usually do my reading at night. Purchase a journal from the store or get a composition book. Record the scripture and then your thoughts. Make sure after you read, you stop and listen for Holy Spirit to speak to you. In the comment section below let me know how things are going.

Summer books I’m reading: Try reading 10 pages a day.

• 1984 by George Orwell 
• Your Friendship With Holy Spirit by Sarah Bowling

What books have you read this summer? Let me know in the comment section below. It’s cool to find out what you are reading. Also you can check me out on Goodreads.com.

Shalom!

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