More on Meditation...

Tobin Hart defines meditation like this, “A third way of knowing that complements both the rational and sensory. Designed to quiet and shift the habitual chatter of the mind. To cultivate a capacity for deepened awareness, concentration and insight.” However meditation works, research is teaching us that meditation is helpful when our brain really needs to get back on track after suffering from the damaging impact of substance use disorder.

Current research on the effect of substance abuse on the brain suggests that there are five distinct areas of the brain harmed by addiction. For a fantastic explanation on this subject, I refer you to Kevin McCauley’s youtube presentation entitled “The Brain and Recovery: An Update on the Neuroscience of Addiction.” Think about it. Five. Separate. Regions. That is a LOT of brain power that needs healing and it turns out - meditation is restorative.

Plenty of good material is available for further information about meditation’s healing properties but there is one point that needs to be emphasized in terms of outcomes. The OUTCOME of our prayer and meditation practice is “none of our business” according to Reverend Joe Stabile, a United Methodist Church pastor and co-founder and Animator of Life in the Trinity Ministry in Dallas, Texas. Our INTENTION is to draw near to God and invite him to have his way with us, trusting that he loves us and desires to bless, heal, restore and inspire us.

Inspire us in what way? Simple. So that we will gain knowledge of his will for us and provide us the strength to carry it out. Not knowledge for the will of anyone else. Just us.

What freedom! What opportunity! As a stepper, every day we seek this knowledge, willingness and strength. Do we also pray for grandma’s healing or our child’s recovery - sure! But always we pray for and meditate with God for our own day’s responsibilities.