Understanding 
Meditation Traditions Within Christianity

Pulling From History To Enlighten The Present & Enrich The Future

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Did You Know Christian Meditation Traditions 
Go Way Back?

They do.

Buddhism and Hinduism do not have a monopoly on mindfulness meditation practices. These meditation traditions are a universal ancient practice that can be found across the full spectrum of denominations and practices in all of Christianity.

Most of us associate meditation with Eastern religions, like Hindu and Buddhist practices, and some yogic traditions. However, the early church fathers would have understood meditation in the context of contemplation, reflection, pondering, stillness, and mindfulness, different from the meditation interventions commonly practiced elsewhere.

Meditation that deepens faith embodies both still, quiet mindfulness and scripture-infused meditation. Different traditions around meditation appear in every branch of the Christian faith, but they all share several common threads, including some of the same church fathers and texts, faith in the Hebrew God, and a focus on the Holy Scriptures.

Explore Christian Meditation
Traditions by Denomination

History of Meditation In Evangelical Christianity

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In the Protestant or Evangelical faith, meditation, mindfulness practices, and silent prayer have been a custom since the early church. It often takes the form of contemplative prayer or practicing the presence of God. Those who practice meditation in this way focus on God’s presence and surrender their thoughts, emotions, and desires to Him. As 2 Corinthians 10:5 says: “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” (ESV).[1] This style of meditation enriches the spiritual experience and fosters a closeness with God.
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History of Meditation in Catholicism

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Meditation traditions are a strong theme of the Catholic faith. Lectio divina is the practice of slow, contemplative prayer over Scripture, enabling one to connect and commune with God through His Word.[2] Praying the Rosary can also be a meditation technique for considering the mysteries of faith and the spiritual walk. Ignatian meditation is based on the spiritual exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola and is a form of insight meditation where one reflects on a Bible passage and imagines a conversation between oneself and the figure in Scripture to gain insights on the truths found in their story.[3]
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History of Meditation In Eastern Orthodoxy

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Eastern Orthodoxy considers different types of meditation as goal-oriented thinking and prayer that directs one’s thoughts toward Christ. Those of the Eastern Orthodox faith also participate in Lectio Divina, which is similar to Catholic practice. Hesychasm is also a traditional Orthodox practice of silent prayer and mindfulness meditation to seek divine quietness through contemplation and uninterrupted prayer.[4]
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History of Meditation in Judaism

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Meditation is an ancient spiritual practice associated with Judaism that dates back to the 11th century. Judaism views prayer as an advanced meditation method for bonding with and connecting to the source of Spirituality.[5] Some Jewish styles of meditation include Kabbalah, ecstatic chanting (prayers, Psalms, or Torah passages), concentrating on Shviti (actualizing a higher state of consciousness), mindfulness meditation on the names of YHWH, and guided visualizations. Another Jewish meditation practice is attaining an Eyin state, a form of transcendental meditation achieved through silence and breathwork.
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History of Meditation in Anglican Churches

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Anglican Fr. John Main (1926-1982) taught the principles of silent, contemplative, or centering prayer as a common practice of the Anglican faith. He was greatly influenced by the work of the Desert Fathers and the works of other saints who went before him. The silent prayer these fathers taught enables believers to experience the close presence of God by emptying themselves to be filled again. This can be practiced in stillness and quiet, while walking or moving, through music or other art forms, or through a prayer labyrinth. Like Lectio Divina, many pray or meditate through Scripture and historic prayers like those attributed to St. Francis, St. John Cassian, the Lord’s Prayer, and more.
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History of Meditation in Coptic Christianity

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The Coptic Orthodox Church is an ethnoreligious group native to Africa that dates back to the first century and is the largest Christian denomination in Egypt today. This faith shares a number of similarities with the Eastern Orthodox Church, including similar meditation traditions. This denomination believes that meditation strengthens spiritual life and practices contemplation, focused dwelling, conscious reflecting on that which is good, and holy abiding in the Lord Jesus Christ.[7]
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History of Meditation in Pentecostal Christianity

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The Pentecostal Church is founded on the practices of the early church in its first days, stemming from the Day of Pentecost, as told in Acts chapter 2. One such practice is speaking in tongues, which activates an altered state of consciousness and is seen as distinctive evidence of a correct relationship with God.[8] This indicates the Spirit's indwelling presence, empowering them to do something they otherwise could not. Daily meditations, contemplative prayer, and other practices to commune with God are deeply rooted in Pentecostal traditions.
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Benefits & Effects 
of Meditation

Inner Peace & Emotional Balance

Meditation has long been recognized for its benefits in both the spiritual and secular arenas. It improves overall well-being and helps you focus on the present moment. Meditation can help you let go of mental or physical burdens, and it promotes calm and equanimity.

Physical Health & Mindfulness Benefits

Meditation can reduce chronic pain, improve attention and memory, and is used in many treatment modalities for mindfulness-based stress reduction and to reduce blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels.[9]

Would You Like
To Encounter God? Start Here.

Meditation traditions offer an opportunity to still your mind and connect with God on a deeper level. Pursue a meaningful, spiritual transformation through the Christian Meditation App.

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FAQ’s About Christian Meditation

Are meditation programs appropriate for beginners?

Absolutely! Guided meditations feel like 1:1 meditation sessions that allow beginners a simple, approachable way to begin their spiritual meditation journey.

How is Buddhist meditation different from Christian meditation?

Buddhist traditions differ from Christian meditation traditions in their relationship to God, the intention behind the meditation (self-actualization for self’s sake vs. connecting with or hearing from God), and their focus (Scripture or God vs. Buddhist traditions).

What are other forms of meditation?

Other forms of meditation not associated with Christian denominations stem from India and other cultures around the world and include yoga meditation, mantra meditation, zen meditation, vipassana meditation, Tibetan meditation, and others.

Sources

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  1. English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://www.esv.org/2+Corinthians+10/
  2. Accepting the embrace of god: The ancient art of lectio divina. Saint Andrew’s Abbey. (2021, November 10). https://saintandrewsabbey.com/our-daily-life/accepting-the-embrace-of-god-the-ancient-art-of-lectio-divina/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvsWpl7jQiwMVSgCtBh20QQ3TEAAYASAAEgK0Z_D_BwE
  3. Meditation and reflection. Catholic Identity. (n.d.). https://catholicidentity.bne.catholic.edu.au/scripture/SitePages/Meditation-and-reflection.aspx
  4. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Hesychasm. Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hesychasm
  5. On mindfulness and Jewish Meditation (A brief history). (n.d.-a). https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1442811/jewish/On-Mindfulness-and-Jewish-Meditation-a-Brief-History.htm
  6. Gross, S. (2024, June 12). Silence and centering prayer. Anglican Compass. https://anglicancompass.com/silence-and-centering-prayer/
  7. St. moses the black: Meditation strengthens spiritual life – literature – resources. Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States. (n.d.). https://suscopts.org/resources/literature/176/st-moses-the-black-meditation-strengthens-spiritua/
  8. De Vol, T.I. Ecstatic pentecostal prayer and meditation. J Relig Health 13, 285–288 (1974). https://www.jstor.org/stable/27505254
  9. Pascoe, M. C. (2021, March 10). Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the mood benefits of meditation: A narrative review. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497621000114