Chapter 2


INTRODUCTION TO MEDITATION

By
The Man Who Saw God Face To Face
Raphael Okechukwu Nweze

• Meditation is the act of contemplating on something, in order to know its nature and understand its actions and interactions.
• It is the act of thinking silently about something.
• Meditation is the key that unlocks the doors of Heaven and lets down the flow of ideas, solutions and creativity. Inspiration in every sphere of our endeavour is as important as it is in the religious life.
• Superficially, meditation is reasoning or thoughtfulness. More significantly, it is consultation with God Mind: the presentations of our doubts, concerns, questions, ideas, aspirations and problems to Him, and the receiving of convincing responses.
• It is the process of seeking within the fulfillment of our needs from the indwelling God, instead of outward searching from elsewhere.
• Jesus clearly said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. It is by meditation that we seek, find and experience the spiritual kingdom of Heaven. The journey may be long, but worthwhile.

1. Knowledge of our environment and Nature.
   


2. Transcendental knowledge, by which we are able to know about the spiritual aspect of life.
   


3. We are thereby enabled to see far and deep (to have foresight and insight).
   


4. The spirit self takes precedence and dominance over the physical body, which can do little or nothing its own.
   


5. By meditation, the spirit self can leave the physical body and travel far and wide. We are not limited to our immediate environment.
   


6. We experience whatever we meditate on. That is a law of life. Therefore, when we meditate on God, we experience God.
   


7. By experiencing God, we know God; by knowing God, we become like God, and by becoming like God, we become one with God.
   


8. Meditation takes place in silence. The silence calms our nerves, removes stress, gives us peace of mind and rest for our souls.
   


9. Man is a master and a king. He is a master of the universe, the architect of his destiny and a king. It is in spirit that we are capable of all these. Meditation enables us have and use our divine rights and heritage.
   


10. The worldly man lives within the prison of ignorance, and carries about this prison of ignorance like the egg shell, which the chick must crack to emerge therefrom, in order to set itself free. In the same way, by meditation we overcome the prison of ignorance, break it into pieces and gain knowledge. Hence, man can overcome the world, only by self-knowledge, and not by fighting Satan.
    


11. Because we gain knowledge by meditation, we also gain life and freedom, even as Jesus advised, “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free.”
    


12. There are other worlds in existence. There are also spiritual worlds which are called kingdoms, regions and heavens. It is by mediation that we visit these places of life.
    


13. Meditation is a key to development, because it attracts inspiration from God. The inspiration includes ideas, solutions, skills, insights, foresights, etc
    


14. Meditation is the proverbial “pot of wisdom.” Only those who think enough become wise.
    


15. Some people see the spirit as a wonder. Some others describe it as wonderful. By meditation, we experience it as the wonder of wonders.
    


16. People are often confused by conflicting opinions and doctrines. Meditation clears the clouds by giving us clear understanding of issues about life.
    


17. Meditation helps us understand that spirit beings are indestructible. Therefore, we should not mourn for anybody who is “dead”.
    


18. Meditation makes one an enlightened person because meditation enables him to understand life as it is. All things are spirit.
    


19. Because the person in meditation is completely free from desires, he is satisfied with the Supreme Being. Such an enlightened person is unperturbed by sorrow. He is satisfied because he does not crave for pleasures; he is free from attachments and disappointments; and he is devoid of fear and anger.
    


20. Meditation brings peace by taming the restless senses. Our daily disappointments and dissatisfactions arise out of restless senses, seeking undue pleasures and attachments. One who desires and/or pursues objects (materialism) is neither at rest nor has peace of mind.
    


21. Man experiences whatever he thinks about. Be it danger, fear, death, sickness, pain, etc. By restraining the senses and intellect, the saint lives on the dirty water of life, while others live inside the water and are stained by it. That is why the saint is bright and serene.
    


22. All sorrows phase out upon attainment of tranquility (peace of mind and freedom).
    


23. Divine connection and communication are always available, like the abundant sunshine, even during the night. Meditation, by inspiration, keeps the flow on.
    


24. By meditation, you attain and remain in the spiritual realms of peace and happiness. That is everlasting bliss.
    


25. There is no duty for the person who rejoices in the Lord, delights in the Lord, who is contented with the Lord, because he has no interest in what is done or not done.
    


26. By always thinking of God, one is able to immediately attain, find and unite with God upon death.
    


27. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” You become pure in heart by restraining the senses, by rendering selfless service, by non-attachment and by freeing yourself from all desires. Then, it is possible to behold God (Spirit).
    


28. Meditation is the key to knowledge. A true man of God, sees every being with equal eye because he perceives the Omnipresent Spirit in all beings, and also sees all beings in the Supreme Being. He is one with God, and is no more ignorant.
    


29. At the time of death, you attain salvation by meditating on God. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be.” And I add more to that, “Where your heart is, there you are.” This is a spiritual law of life. That is why the Bible says that whoever that calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Whenever you meditate about God, you are calling on the name of God, because God and His name are one.
    


30. Meditating on God is devotional love. A Christian should love God with all his heart, with all his mind, with all his soul and with all his spirit. This is possible in meditation, and by thinking of God always.
    


31. By regular mediation, you open your mind, heart, soul and spirit to God. You discover that you can know without learning or without being told. You can easily provide answers to questions. All because God in you informs you and empowers you with His Holy Spirit, which is both indwelling and enfolding.
    


32. Meditation is the ladder of life, by which you rise from ignorance, through illusion, belief, knowledge, and wisdom to fruition (Union with God).
    


33. Spirit is the essence of everything. By meditation, you communicate with all things, both animate and inanimate.
    


34. By meditation, you become calmly active, and actively calm. This is the everlasting Sabbath. It explains why Jesus was busy working on Sabbath days. His mind, being set on God, is always at rest.
    

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusts in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

When problems seem to abound,
attend to them one by one.
Or, just take a paper
and write them down.
Soon, you discover that
you have peace of mind,
rest and confidence.

         Jesus did not fail to emphasis the importance of quiet times and meditation. Hence, He admonished Martha, who was so much concerned with worldly benefits (domestic duties) that she overlooked the most important thing (to hear and meditate on the word of God). So are the generations, one after another; each generation busy themselves with everyday routine and business engagements, to the extent that they do not have time for God:

41 And Jesus answered and said to her,
"Martha, Martha,
Jesus is now talking to you.
you are worried and troubled about many things.
You allow the cares and worries of earthly life to disturb you.
42 But one thing is needed,
That is to have quiet times and meditate
and Mary has chosen that good part,
This is what Mary has attained
which will not be taken away from her."
Now she has attained incorruptibility.
Though she is still on earth,
her spirit lives in the presence of God in heaven.
Luke 10:38-42