Although many people, even Christians, might not know it, Christianity has a rich history of meditative practices. Many of these practices developed within Christianity itself, and others were borrowed from other religious traditions. Meditation can also be synonymous with contemplative prayer in Christian practice.
Within these Christian meditation practices emerge two basic categories: cataphatic and apophatic. Cataphatic theology in Christianity refers to what God is, while apophatic describes what God is not. These two points of view then offer separate benefits when incorporated into meditation.
Apophatic Meditation
This type of meditation in Christianity is about experiencing God without images or words or any sort of exterior help. Apophatic meditation arises from much of the writings of the early Desert Fathers and the use of mantras such as the Jesus Prayer. In this type of meditation, there is no particular goal in mind other than to take the focus off oneself and attempt to just be faithful to God.
Cataphatic Meditation
Cataphatic prayer and meditation differ from apophatic forms because they employ images, gestures, words, postures, and/or anything that brings form to the formless. Things like using a rosary while praying, kneeling to pray, making the sign of the cross, or looking at an image to incite prayerful states are all examples of cataphatic practices.
Forms
There are currently numerous forms of Christian meditation in the United States, and the types of practice ranges widely. The Catholic Church promotes the cataphatic practices of Eucharistic and rosary meditation, where ritual and prayers such as the Hail Mary become almost chant-like when repeated by parishioners.
It's interesting that meditation has it's influence in most of the religions in some or the other way and Judaism is no different. Read my next blog to know about meditation in Judaism.
Within these Christian meditation practices emerge two basic categories: cataphatic and apophatic. Cataphatic theology in Christianity refers to what God is, while apophatic describes what God is not. These two points of view then offer separate benefits when incorporated into meditation.
Apophatic Meditation
This type of meditation in Christianity is about experiencing God without images or words or any sort of exterior help. Apophatic meditation arises from much of the writings of the early Desert Fathers and the use of mantras such as the Jesus Prayer. In this type of meditation, there is no particular goal in mind other than to take the focus off oneself and attempt to just be faithful to God.
Cataphatic Meditation
Cataphatic prayer and meditation differ from apophatic forms because they employ images, gestures, words, postures, and/or anything that brings form to the formless. Things like using a rosary while praying, kneeling to pray, making the sign of the cross, or looking at an image to incite prayerful states are all examples of cataphatic practices.
Forms
There are currently numerous forms of Christian meditation in the United States, and the types of practice ranges widely. The Catholic Church promotes the cataphatic practices of Eucharistic and rosary meditation, where ritual and prayers such as the Hail Mary become almost chant-like when repeated by parishioners.
It's interesting that meditation has it's influence in most of the religions in some or the other way and Judaism is no different. Read my next blog to know about meditation in Judaism.
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