bdentzy

thoughts for the journey

Posts Tagged ‘Contemplative’

Simplify it All

January 31st, 2009

A simple philosophy, simply lived, will lead you to a simple life.

A few months ago, I wrote about how it seems like we so often search out or create complex ideas and philosophies so that we can have the simplicity we so deeply need. It’s as though we think it’s complex to be simple. We go searching for “hidden truths” and “little-known secrets” to achieve what we think we want – really, what we’ve been told we should want.

I ran across a great article yesterday: 7 Steps for Achieving a Super Simple Life. You should definitely check it out. I think that blogger Joy captured the heart of how to have simplicity in life with her seventh step:

7. Simplify Your Philosophy
Adopting a simple lifestyle can require a shift in thinking. It requires you to accept that what you have is “enough”, learn to let go of the need to be a superachiever, live in the moment, find simple pleasures, and define your identity by reflection rather than by consumerism.

Really, that’s about it. Don’t let the marketing machine that was created for no other reason than to manipulate your desires for pride, greed, power, and lust to make you invest your very life into the things that lead to death. Don’t buy into it. There is a better way. A higher way!

Spend some time in the Bible, in prayer, and in worship. Allow God to define who you are and how you are perceived. And then live that.

It’s not necessarily easy. But it’s simple. It’s singular. In Christ it’s possible.

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Tags: bdentzy Contemplative simple simplify simply Spirituality

Give ‘em Something to Think About

July 7th, 2008

: Image by notashamed via Flickr

Psalm 119:27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.

A couple of days ago, I was writing about the Sabbath. We looked at things related to work and rest. And those are important – foundational – to taking a Sabbath. Equally foundational is awe, wonder, and respect for God.

Even in the middle of the week, we can take a “mini-Sabbath” by meditating on God. Taking time to remember and process his Law. Ruminate (chew over, work with, digest) on the things of God – his invisible qualities (divine nature and enternal power) as revealed by creation.

Genesis 24:63
He went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.

There is certainly Biblical precedent for meditation. However, there is also a good deal of confusion about meditation. Many people misunderstand Christian meditation based on their perception of eastern mysticism. That, however, is not the case.

Eastern mysticism would have us become one with nothingness. To be empty. To be nothing.

Christian meditation, however, is a shifting of our focus to become one in heart, mind, and soul with God – the Ultimate Reality. It is the act of emptying ourselves of ourselves to be filled with and submitted to the Holy Spirit. It is to become who we were intended to be from before the foundation of the earth – our hearts and minds refocused to God’s priorities and our bodies strengthened and given life by the same Spirit that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.

It is the renewing of our minds and bodies by the washing of the water of the word and the power of the Holy Spirit – and a changed faith begs a response of action.

In essence, biblical meditation is thinking; and contemplative New Age meditation is simply not thinking … and that is something to think about.
From the Lighthouse

There is certainly more to be said of Christian meditation. I can wholeheartedly recommended Centering Prayer: Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form by M. Basil Pennington.