There are several methods of Meditation. Some are based on breathing techniques; others on using a "mantra" or sacred word or text while others are based on the use of the body and concentration on body movement. Then just get comfortable with your back straight. This could be sitting on the floor on a pillow or in a chair. Just get comfortable. Don't fight the process. If you find yourself thinking, then gently start again. My idea of it is to exist completely in the moment. Do not think of what has happened or what is to come. Do not let past experience influence your thinking, in other words, see things only for what they are, without distorting them with your mind.

I break meditation & prayer into 2 categories. Prayer,

to better understanding God and building a relationship with him, meditation is better understanding of our world and us. Though all Christians may not believe enlightenment to be impersonal exploration without God, I believe that enlightenment of the self can be explored apart from God. If the ultimate goal of Christianity is to know and love God better, I personal see this not being achieve fully without of the inclusion of meditation in a Christian life.

There is a saying, "you can never fully and truly love/know some else until you can fully and truly love/know yourself." Meditation allows for the knowing and loving of yourself regardless of the religious doctrine you use to support it.

using the Lord's Prayer as an example, follows a process in which one talks to God (praise, petition, forgiveness). Prayer is used as a means of communicating with the personal god of western religions. Praying can be viewed as the asking of a favor from God, a personal conversation of giving thanks, giving worship. Those who pray are seeking to know God better, by placing the central focus of prayer on him. Christian do practice a form of meditation. In this method, after relaxing, you read a Scripture in which Jesus speaks, then envision that you are there. Imagining the sun on your face, smell the salt air, the sand under your feet. Envision that Jesus looks directly into your eyes, as you stand among the crowd. The fundamental difference in this form of meditation and what is understood in Hinduism is the use of the mind as a tool for meditation The clear distinction between Biblical meditation, which means reflection,!

Western religions are very quid quo pro. IF you do this THEN you will be rewarded with that. But if you FAIL to do these other things then you will be PUNISHED with these consequences. Eastern Religions, seem not to be quite so quid quo pro. One notices that, while Christians are always asking for one another's prayers on various issues, Hindus do not request the prayers of others.

. The mind is considered one of the traps that the soul has while in the body, the constant chatter that distracts us from obtaining self-knowledge and enlightenment. Therefore, it is clear to see the act of quieting the mind would manifest itself in this doctrine. A calm mind alone

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