Based on a talk by Rev. Fr. Pachomius Ma. San Juan, OSB

Meditation is not exclusive to any one faith tradition. Its universality points to something deeper than religious practice. It speaks to a shared human longing for the Divine, a common search for God that transcends culture, language, and belief. Meditation belongs to all because the desire to be with God resides in every human heart.

What meditation is, and is not

Christian meditation is sometimes misunderstood. It is not about thinking of God or speaking to God. It is not imagining God, nor creating spiritual images in the mind. These are beautiful expressions of prayer, but meditation takes us beyond them.

In its purest form, meditation is the prayer of the heart, a silent, wordless resting in God. It is about being with God, not doing for God.

When we let go of words, ideas, images, and even spiritual thoughts, we give God space to simply be with us, and us with Him. This is why busy, wordy prayer, though good and essential in its time, can sometimes make it hard to truly experience God’s presence.

Meditation is marked by three essential qualities: silence, stillness, and simplicity. It draws us away from the noisy activity of the mind, our thoughts, plans, memories, fantasies, and invites us into the quiet of the present moment.

Arriving at stillness

Stillness has two dimensions: outer and inner. Bodily stillness is simple; stop moving, sit alert and awake. But inner stillness, the quieting of the mind and spirit, is far more challenging.
The mind behaves like a tree full of monkeys, leaping from thought to thought. Plans, memories, desires, regrets, worries, they clamor for attention. But this is simply the way the mind is. Recognize this without judgment or frustration.

The busier your day, the greater your need for silence, a pocket of stillness in the whirlwind of life. And real stillness happens within, when the mind lets go and comes to rest.

The power of the present moment

One of meditation’s greatest lessons is this: the present moment is the only place where peace can be found.

As you sit in meditation, notice where your mind wanders. It drifts to the past, replays old conversations, regrets, and mistakes. Or it races to the future: plans, hopes, fears. Yet neither the past nor the future can offer you peace. Only now, the present moment, offers peace, because only in the present do we meet God.

Even if this moment feels tired, anxious, or restless, embrace it. Return to it. This is where God is.

And the beautiful truth is this: you are not left to do this alone. The Spirit prays within you. When you cannot pray, the Spirit prays for you. Meditation is not an achievement, it is a gift. A grace. Passed down from the monks of old, offered now to us.

Dealing with distraction

How do we remain anchored in the present during meditation? The ancient answer is the mantra, a simple prayer word. A sacred word repeated silently from the beginning to the end of your meditation period.

When distractions come (and they will) do not fight them. Do not argue with them. Simply return to the word. Let the mantra do its gentle work: keeping you centered, leading you back to God. In Christian meditation, the mantra becomes a way of leaving the self behind, like the disciples who left their boats and nets to follow Jesus.

One of the oldest Christian prayer words is “Maranatha,”an Aramaic word meaning “Come, Lord.” Used by the earliest Christians, this word can carry you into the silence beyond thought, beyond self.

Repeat it slowly, gently, in rhythm with your breath: Ma-ra-na-tha.

Stay the course. Like a farmer plowing his furrows, do not look left or right. Just keep going.

The fruits of meditation

People often ask: “Is this working? Am I getting better?” But this is not the point. Meditation is not a self-improvement project. It is not your work alone. It is the Spirit’s work within you.

Real change happens when the fruits of the Spirit grow in your life: joy, peace, patience, kindness, humility, self-control. These are the signs. Not mystical experiences or sudden revelations, but the quiet blossoming of goodness in your daily living.

God is the Gardener. You are the soil. The seed has been planted. Let God tend it.

Sometimes, the time of meditation brings peace and clarity. Other times, you might experience boredom or restlessness. This is normal. If you expect only joy or insight, you limit meditation. True meditation welcomes every experience.

The poverty of the mantra

The way of the mantra is the way of poverty of spirit. Recall the Beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” In meditation, you let go of control. You possess nothing. You hold no thoughts, no ambitions, no demands. You enter spiritual poverty to be filled by God.

This is why meditation, though simple, is difficult. Its very simplicity reveals our inner complexities. But as you persevere in the practice, you start to become simple too.

Meditation requires perseverance. Twice a day, for thirty minutes. Begin with fifteen minutes and build slowly. Not just when you feel like it, but daily, faithfully. This is how the practice shapes your soul.

And the wonder of meditation is this: you can carry it anywhere. It lives in your pocket, your hand, your heart. Always with you.

In conclusion

Meditation is not for experts or mystics alone. It is for anyone who longs for God. It is simple, silent, still. It requires no special place or words, only patience, faith, and trust.

The Spirit is your true guide. The mantra is your tool. The present moment is your home.
Keep going. Keep trusting. In the fullness of time, the fruits will grow.