#54 The Inner Chant

CHRISTIAN MEDITATION REFLECTIONS #54  07-19-16

THE INNER CHANT

Reflections on John Main and Laurence Freeman’s Christian Meditation Lectures  

Presented by The World Community for Christian Meditation

www.wccm.org or www.wccm-usa.org

by

Mary Sargent

As Christians, we are called to go deeper; to think on a deeper level; to live on a more mindful level.  Meditation makes this possible.  It is in meditation that we move beyond the frivolities, amusements and distractions of our busy thoughts and begin leading more meaningful lives of contemplation.

Henry David Thoreau said, “Most men (and women) live lives of quiet desperation.”  But we as Christians do not have to be among the many purposeless people leading lives of quiet desperation.  We can discover our purpose and discover our life while consulting with Christ in the silence of meditation.

When we set aside time to be alone with Christ in prayer and meditation, we are closing the door and going to our inner room, as Christ taught us.  In silence, we empty ourselves and start silently reciting our inner chant; the mantra.  Ma-ra-na-tha or whatever sacred word you have chosen.  We listen in silence for the still small voice of God.  Do you have a decision to make?  Do you know not what you are going to do today?  This is the time to ask:  Christ, what should I do next?  What is the right decision about this?  What do you want me to do?  How can I help you build your Kingdom?  And then we wait.

Waiting and silence are not popular today.  Waiting has been replaced by instant gratification, instant cellphone and internet information, and people who speak very rapidly.  Silence is even more unpopular these days.  There are a thousand noises going on at once including ring tones, music, traffic, buzz saws and shouting.  People are uncomfortable with silence.  It is a lull in the conversation that doesn’t sit well; it makes us remember things we’d rather forget.

But none of this matters because like I said, as Christians, we are called to go deeper.  We are not going to be keeping up with the trends of this mad world.  We are going to be listening in meditation to our inner chant.  This is the voice of God in our hearts.  This is the voice that tells us what the right decision is.  This is our true voice, not the one we put-on for the outside world.  The inner chant is what we use to shut out the many thoughts that flicker rapidly through our mind.  In the silence, you will find God.  Today, turn off the noise.  Turn off the television, the cellphone, the computer, the radio, the video game and any other noise maker.  For whatever time you can spare, ten minutes, fifteen minutes, close your eyes in a quiet place and listen.  Begin the inner chant and see how your life begins to make sense and have meaning.  Sink into the silence and relax into your real life of quiet, steady purpose.