Western Christianity and Meditation
The Oxford Handbook of Meditation March 10, 2021 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198808640.013.7
Summary
Christian contemplation, a meditative tradition spanning two millennia, aims to heal ignorance of humanity's unity with God in Christ. The practice trains the mind to abide in silence, fostering love and dispelling the illusion of separation. This chapter examines teachings from five key authors or traditions (fourth to fourteenth century) to guide the mind home to its true self, hidden in the mystery of God in Christ.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Christian contemplation heals ignorance of unity with God by training the mind in silence, as shown through teachings from the fourth to fourteenth century. |
Abstract
Abstract Like other religions, Christianity has its own tradition of meditation, the practice of contemplation, that has evolved over two millennia. This tradition has a core celebration and a core problem. The core celebration is that by grace we are all one in the ineffable mystery of God in Christ. The core problem is that we live most of our lives in ignorance of this. The practice of contemplation aims to heal this ignorance and the inner noise it generates by training the mind to abide in silence. The silent mind is a loving mind that sees through the illusion of separation from God. This chapter examines the teachings of five key authors or traditions from the fourth to fourteenth century so as to learn how to bring the mind home to itself, a self hidden in the mystery of God in Christ (Col 3:3).