Reflection: Meditation
- John Scoble
- Aug 15, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 26
What if the quiet you avoid is the doorway you need? For years I thought meditation was for other people with bendy knees and lots of incense. Then I retired, read more deeply, and discovered that stillness is not a luxury. It is how a soul learns to listen.
Why meditation belongs in a Christian life
Scripture keeps nudging us into quiet. Elijah does not meet God in wind, quake, or fire. He meets God in the whispering silence. “Be still, and know that I am God” is not a slogan. It is a practice that reshapes the heart. Meditation creates that still space where awareness widens, ego softens, and love has room to speak.
From skeptic to seeker
For most of my life I rolled my eyes at lotus poses and pinched fingers. Then I tried sitting quietly with God for a few minutes each morning. Over time those few minutes became twenty. The change was simple and steady. Less reactivity. More clarity. A gentler centre that did not vanish at the first difficult email.
What centering prayer is
Centering prayer is a Christian form of meditation that rests in God’s presence rather than chasing thoughts or images.
How to begin
Choose a simple sacred word or short phrase that points you toward God. Examples: “Peace,” “Abba,” “Here I am.”
Sit comfortably with a straight but relaxed spine. Close your eyes or lower your gaze.
Gently introduce your sacred word.
When you notice thoughts, feelings, or distractions, return to the word with kindness. No scolding. Just return.
Sit for 5 to 20 minutes. End with a short prayer of gratitude.
There are helpful apps called “Centering Prayer” that provide opening and closing prayers, gentle bells, and timers so you can choose the length that suits you.
Why silence works
Silence is not empty. It is full of God. Regular meditation can encourage inner peace, steadier emotions, clearer thinking, better concentration, and kinder responses. In everyday terms, you pause before replying, you breathe before judging, and you notice God in places you usually rush past.
A 20 minute practice you can try today
Minutes 0 to 2 – Arrive. Breathe slowly. Offer this time to God.
Minutes 2 to 17 – Rest in your sacred word. When you drift, return. Drifting is normal. Returning is the practice.
Minutes 17 to 20 – Sit in simple gratitude. Whisper the Lord’s Prayer or a short scripture line. Open your eyes slowly.
Common hurdles and gentle helps
Restless mind – Lower the bar. Aim to return to your word, not to stop thoughts.
Sleepiness – Sit in a chair with your feet on the floor. Morning works well for many.
Perfectionism – God is not grading your sit. Show up. The Spirit will do the quiet work.
Inconsistency – Tie practice to a daily anchor like first cup of tea, school drop off, or after a morning walk.
Meditation and vocation
Stillness does not pull you out of life. It sends you back with clearer purpose. Many discover that a daily sit strengthens their deepest callings as partner, parent, carer, teacher, builder, confidant, volunteer. The work is the same, but the way you carry it changes.
Questions to carry this week
Where can I create five minutes of true quiet each day?
Which sacred word feels like home right now?
After sitting, what small act of love can I offer today?
Your invitation
Try seven days. Just seven. Set a simple timer. Choose your word. Show up. Notice what shifts. Not everything will feel dramatic, and that is fine. Seeds sprout quietly. In time, stillness becomes less of a task and more of a place you live from.
Be still, and know. Then step into the day with a softer heart and a steadier step.
FAQs on Meditation and Spiritual Life
Why is silence considered important in Christian meditation?
Silence is not just the absence of noise, it is the atmosphere where God’s voice can finally be heard. Scripture underlines this in 1 Kings 19:11-13, when Elijah discovered God not in the wind, quake, or fire, but in the gentle whisper. Modern psychology agrees: research from Harvard Medical School shows that meditative silence reduces stress and improves emotional regulation by calming the nervous system. In short, silence is less about “switching off” and more about “tuning in” – a way of turning down the static so the signal of God’s presence comes through clearly.
What are the benefits of daily meditation for spiritual growth?
Daily meditation acts like exercise for the soul. Studies from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2022) found that regular meditation improves focus, emotional balance, and overall well-being. Spiritually, it creates the space to “be still and know” (Psalm 46:10), moving faith from theory into daily practice. Over time, a short daily sit cultivates patience, sharper self-awareness, and a more grounded capacity to love others. It’s not about escaping life – it’s about re-entering life with greater clarity and compassion.
How does Christian centering prayer differ from other meditation practices?
Centering prayer is less about technique and more about surrender. While mindfulness often trains the mind to observe thoughts without judgment, centering prayer invites the heart to rest in God’s presence beyond thoughts. Practitioners use a sacred word or phrase as a gentle anchor. The late Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk, described it as “consenting to God’s presence and action within.” It’s a way of saying: I don’t need to hold it all together – I trust God to meet me here.
Can meditation really improve mental health and productivity?
Yes – and the data backs it up. A 2021 study in JAMA Psychiatry found that mindfulness-based practices (including centering prayer) reduced symptoms of anxiety by up to 20 percent. Workplace studies also show meditation increases concentration and productivity by improving working memory and lowering stress hormones. But beyond the stats, the practice provides something modern life rarely does – a reset button for both mind and spirit. Instead of running on autopilot, you re-enter the day more focused, resilient, and spiritually awake.
How can I start a simple meditation practice without feeling overwhelmed?
Start small – five minutes is enough. Choose a sacred word (“Peace,” “Here I am,” “Abba”), sit comfortably, and return to that word whenever your mind wanders. Use an app like Centering Prayer for gentle guidance if structure helps. Over time, extend your sit to 10 or 20 minutes. Consistency matters more than length. Research suggests habits stick when paired with existing routines – like praying after morning tea or before bed. What feels like a small seed of practice can grow into a tree of quiet strength that shapes your whole spiritual journey.
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About the Author - John Scoble
John's journey began in the heart of a traditional Roman Catholic family in Sydney, where he was raised with steadfast faith and reverence. Now residing in the serene surroundings of St Lucia, Brisbane, alongside his beloved wife, John finds solace and inspiration in the tranquil rhythms of life. With four adult children and a cherished grandchild also calling Brisbane home, John's family is his anchor, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.
While spirituality has always been a cornerstone of his life, it was three transformative events in 2012, including a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, that ignited a profound shift in John's spiritual trajectory. Embracing retirement as an opportunity for deeper exploration, John immersed himself in extensive reading and soulful reflection.
Over the course of a decade, this journey of self-discovery has led John to reevaluate and transcend many of his traditional beliefs, embracing instead the timeless wisdom and cosmic perspective inherent in Christianity. Influenced by luminaries such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Rohr, John's spiritual evolution has been marked by a deepening resonance with the essential truths of his faith and a profound connection to the divine unfolding within and around him.
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