Meditation is a powerful tool for internalising truth.

In the busyness of our always-on lives, our minds are constantly being fed ideas, facts and opinions, and it is rare that we make the time to think. Really think.

Meditation, in the context of this article, is referring to an active mental state, rather than a passive ‘opening or clearing the mind’. Instead, it is taking an inquisitive posture, choosing to focus the mind on a subject and repeatedly thinking it through.

The ancient practice of meditation was used in biblical times, and was a foundational habit leading to blessed and successful living. This involved quietly speaking a truth or scripture repeatedly, even throughout the day, to yield a deeper understanding of the passage’s meaning, and in time transform the written words from conscious thought into a subconscious mindset, helping to guide decision making and shape perspective.

A simple and practical way to do this is to choose a scripture, and emphasise a different word with each reading. For example, take the following proverb:

Be VIGILANT in protecting your heart, as it is the source of your life’s choices and actions

Be vigilant in PROTECTING your heart, as it is the source of your life’s choices and actions

Be vigilant in protecting your HEART, as it is the source of your life’s choices and actions

Be vigilant in protecting your heart, as it is the SOURCE of your life’s choices and actions

Be vigilant in protecting your heart, as it is the source of your life’s CHOICES and actions

Be vigilant in protecting your heart, as it is the source of your life’s choices and ACTIONS

This technique can help us to digest each word and therefore benefit from the richness of all the words, and we can keep returning to it throughout the day or week.

An often used analogy for meditation in this way is in understanding the way that cows eat and digest their food. Once they have eaten some grass or hay, it is passed to one of four compartments of their stomach, where it is partially digested but then regurgitated many times throughout the day for the cow to chew on again and again, to enable the grass to be fully digested.

In the same way, by repeatedly returning to a particular text, and ‘chewing it over’ we can draw out some of the often overlooked depths of truth, and fully digest the conveyed meaning contained in the language.

And as we speak out the words, it also helps us receive the truths not only by reading, but by hearing also, thus engaging both visual and auditory senses which provides an additional pathway for the information to reach the brain. Studies have confirmed that reading out loud improves both memory and understanding of the text.

So, why not set aside some time to meditate in this way. Try choosing a short Bible verse and read it over slowly to yourself, and then repeat through the day, and allow the deep timeless truths to become real to you, helping you successfully navigate your twenty first century life.