Meditating and quieting the mind have always puzzled me because I wondered if I was doing them right. I believe I AM doing them right but it’s a little different as a Christian.

Meditating

To me, meditating is two things: praying and pondering. Praying is protection, or being armed if you will, against the unsavory things in life. Prayer is turning to Heavenly Father for help and having faith (hoping, believing, trusting) that He will. When learning something and pondering (thinking about it), Heavenly Father gives more knowledge. Understanding increases when pondering.

Quieting the mind

Sometimes many thoughts go through my mind because I have a lot going on. Periodically many thoughts go through my mind that feel scattered or like my mind goes a million miles an hour and those feelings cause anxiety! At those times its best to stop, focus on breathing, maybe close my eyes, and think everything will be okay, everything will work out, or [something else] that brings relaxation.

After feeling relaxed is the time to focus on getting pumped up. As a Christian, it’s not a matter of imagining a white light but of thinking about Heavenly Father (and thinking about each blessing in life and soon feeling grateful.) Christians don’t empty their minds but fill them with focused thoughts that bring happiness. (Like reflecting on Heavenly Father’s perfect love, or imagining being brave, or feeling courageous, or envisioning being in control of trials instead of trials being in control, or realizing strength, or daring to believe the truth, or considering the possibility of something happening.)

Thinking happy thoughts brings a feeling of peace. Knowing about doing the utmost, no matter how much, is okay and brings good vibes. Feeling peace brings a smile and allows being in the rational mind.

Life has moments that spin out of control. Meditating and/or quieting my mind in those moments brings about rational thinking instead of lashing out in pure emotion.