Almost all religions of the world have some form of meditation which only reflects the importance of meditation in religions, particularly considering the diversity of religions, encompassing varied cultures and their inception. Meditation has also been an integral aspect of western religious practices (Digsby), although it is more associated with eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Today there are several types of meditation by almost all religions including Hinduism, Jews, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism and Taoism. There is however no clear universal system of meditation shared by monotheistic believers, nor is there a common understanding or explanation for exceptional experiences occurring during meditation. The meditational practices and beliefs in the Judaeo-Christian, Islamic and Buddhist mediations might vary as to its necessity and benefits. However there are similarities too among them.
The Jewish tradition of meditation is much older to the Christian tradition, and we see a similar emphasis on the meditative practices between the two. It is therefore clear that the Christian traditions are largely adaptations of the Jewish traditional practices. But compared to the Islamic Sufis and Buddhists, Judaeo-Christian meditation isn’t been largely practiced, despite its remarkable inception and early practice (Ratnayaka). The biblical references on the practice of meditation indicate meditation resulting in altered states of consciousness, vision, out-of-body experiences and unitive mystical states. There are two forms of meditation mentioned in the Old Testament. The first one is called the Haga which has a strong resemblance to the eastern forms. These are referred to as ‘tongues’ and are generally vocalized or auditory forms of meditation. These often include moaning or groaning (Mapping the Beyond). The Old Testament also includes the Sihach, which mean to ‘muse or rehearse within oneself’. The other Christian era meditation is lectio divina which has been used since the fourth century AD. This has been traditionally used in monastic religious orders and is witnessing resurgence today. Lectio divina mean ‘sacred reading’ and includes four different stages of reading, discursive meditation, affective prayer and contemplation. The Bible asks worshipers to think of God’s words, since thoughts determine behaviors (Allaboutgod.com).
Islam is an Abrahamic religion too, and meditation in Islam emphasizes on contemplation. The ‘Tafakkur’ or ‘Tadabbur’ which means to reflect upon the universe, to receive divine inspiration is one form of meditation. The other form practiced by the Sufi sect is based on mystical exercises which may vary from one lineage to another and is however often a marred by controversy (News-medical.net). These mystical forms of meditations were not practiced by all Muslims and also these are not evident in Judiac and Christian traditions. Unlike meditating on God as in Christianity, the Sufi mystical practice aims to come out from the illusionary physical world and seek unity with Prophet Mohamed and ultimately with Allah.
The meditation in Buddhism is perhaps emphasized more than in any other religions. Most Buddhist sects adopt one of the two forms of meditation, the Samatha or Vipassana, both believed to help in attaining enlightenment. While Samatha is directed at focusing the attention to a single point, Vipassana is meditating while focusing the mind on one’s breathing. Basically some important tenets of Buddhism and Judeo-Christianity are the same. Despite much philosophical differences between the two, some of their differences are evident in their respective meditational practices. While Buddha emphasized a meditation without the inclusion of God, Christ endorsed regular meditation on the Bible and particular verses from it (Biblecodedigest.com). Proverb 23:17 of the Bible emphasizes concentrating on the ‘worshipful fear of the Lord, all day long’. Buddhism on the other hand emphasizes on the various states experienced by self, like solitude, peace and oneness with consciousness, or emptying mind of everything, although it does not prohibit the focus on God. Also the proverb 18:1 mentions that one who keeps himself apart and desires self-satisfaction is breaking all judgment. This is against Buddhist ideals of withdrawal and prolonged meditation.
The role of meditation in one’s life is easily more emphasized in Buddhism which emphasizes on the association of enlightenment with solitary meditation. Meditation is an integral aspect of enlightenment in Buddhism, which releases one from desire and suffering. Christianity on the other hand, as emphasized in the New Testament, projects Jesus as the savior and redemption (Whatisthedifference.com). While body postures matter much in Buddhist meditations, it makes no difference in Christian practices. Meditation is probably the most frequent oriental practice by Christians, but the tradition of contemplation through meditation has been largely forgotten (Thomson, p191)
Meditation in Islam has different roles specific to the day-to-day life. Some forms of meditations are to clear the mind, so as to enable one to accept the teachings provided. Some forms of meditations are also formal prayers intended to bring one into closeness with Allah. The ‘Salat’ or formal prayers start only after one reaches a semi-meditation state, and like in Christianity is intended to connect with God or Allah and thank. Here there is a repetition of words and movements which are also seen in Buddhism and Christian meditations. Tafakkur broadly means contemplation and is directed at focusing the mind and examine the various aspect of life. This is to facilitate one to know the self and Allah better. Tafakkur is also associated with breath conscious meditation. Similar to Buddhism, Sufi meditation involves contemplation on life aspects; however these are through mystic experiences that are ultimately focused on unison with God as in Judeo-Christian practices, rather than enlightenment as in Buddhism. Like in Buddhism, where Buddha led the practice of meditation, Sufis of Islam claim meditation in Islam was practiced from its inception by Prophet Mohammed himself (Wisegeek.com).
Meditation across religions no doubt has several benefits like improved concentration, better health, knowledge of the inner self and not being bothered of little things. Meditation not only provides people with such benefits, but facilitates its practice by people irrespective of their religious or philosophical beliefs (Pettinger). There is indeed diversity among the various religions. Meditation is sought by religions like Judeo-Christianity and Islam to merge with their respective Gods while in Buddhism attain enlightenment rather than God. Nonetheless we should also remember that there are many similarities too particularly between the Judeo-Christian and Islamic meditations.
Works Cited
All about God.com. “Christian Meditation - Is it really Christian?”. 2012. 6 March 2013
Bible Code Digest.com. “Inherent tensions between Buddhism and Christianity”.2010. 6 March 2013
Digsby Michael “Meditations and the world’s religions” www.scribd.com. 2012. Web. 6 March 2013
Mapping the Beyond. “Judeo-Christian Meditation”
News-Medical.net “Meditation, Spirituality and Religion”. 2009. 5 March 2013
Pettinger Tejvan.“4 powerful reasons to meditate and how to get started”.
Ratnayaka, Shanta “Experiments in Buddhist meditation” http://www.buddhanet.net/tr20.htm. 2012. Web. 5 March 2013
Thompson Ross. Buddhist Christianity: A passionate openness. 1st edn. Hants; O Books. 2010. Print
Whatisthedifferencebetween.com. Buddhism and Christianity”. 2010. Web 5 March. 2012
Wise Geek “What is the role of meditation in Islam?” http://www.wisegeek.com. 2012. 6 March 2013
