I need an epiphany concerning this. I am glad you got yours. It gives me hope. Because, this same struggle has been tripping me up for some time now. You must feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off of you, and are experiencing a sense of freedom that you have seldom or never felt before. I am happy for you.

Often, I am too tired to do the mental exercise that you described in order to get quiet and hear that “still small voice”. I am practicing with (just doing nothing) until the quietness comes or i fall asleep. All i do is thought stop like you describe. I don’t insert any words, however it if it works do it- I just say this, in case you tire.

It isn’t easy. To really get the peace I feel like I need in my life on a consistent basis, I estimate that I would need to do this about 4 hours a day. Maybe, my brain is wired weird. Who knows. But, I think it is worth the time.

Sometimes the relaxation and peace comes in 20 minutes for me, but usually it takes hours. but that is ok, because without that peace- my life is a roller coaster. so, if it it takes 4 hours, it takes 4 hours. However, it takes a lot of discipline to do actually nothing but thought stop and lie still and wait for the epiphany/relaxation for hours at a time. I think Psalm 40:1 talks about this.

The Christian integrating meditation still concerns me at a doctrinal level. I think the term waiting for the Lord is more doctrinal, however it sounds corny and super spiritual- who cares- if I can get quiet and find peace that comes from him without slipping into non-Christian practices and doctrine- I don’t care what it is called.

After I get the epiphany- I will be able to make more sense in trying to explain about this.

Again, I am glad you got yours. Please pray that i can get mine. I am actually feeling pretty miserable without it.

Stu and Jesse – I appreciate you guys dropping in and putting up with such a lengthy commentary on the meditation subject. I am still working at it, trying to spend 5-20 minutes, most days. It’s been a good routine for me.

Just found your blog from Michael Hyatt’s blog this morning. This is a terrific post – and something that I have been thinking about myself… even reading some “Zen Christian” books to try and figure it all out! But what you have suggested sounds so simple (not easy!). Thanks for sharing your experience. I look forward to reading more of your blog.

stu