ABC: Bible Meditation for Me! T Is for Thoughts!
ABC: Bible Meditation for Me!: Bible Meditation Vs. Eastern MeditationIntroduction: This lesson is one of twenty-six ABC Lessons for parents grandparents, kids, and teachers: As of now A, B, D, L, O, P, Q, R, T, U, V, W, X, and Z are posted. Scroll back to read the others.
T Is for Thoughts!
T is for thoughts,
meditate the Bible way;
Think thoughts a lot,
don't push them away!
A Bible Meditation to Think On!
Psalm 119:59 "I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies."
Turn to the Word Bible Marker!
Cut out a rectangular marker; also cut out a smaller arrow. On arrow print: "Turn to the Word!" and on its tip print: Ps. 119:59. On back of rectangle marker print entire verse. Turn marker sideways; attach arrow with a brad, or glue so point can be moved up and down.
Some Thought Synonyms
Here are some words that are related to thought: cogitation, consideration contemplation, meditation, introspection, pondering, reflection, rumination, and study. In Bible meditation we do all these things when we think over what our Bible words mean. But, in Eastern Meditation the opposite happens for one is told to get rid of, push aside, observe, notice, let go, pass by, acknowledge, not judge, and not react to our thoughts.
Thought Concentration
Using the thought synonyms, make two cards for each word. If you find other words use them as well. Put into pack; shuffle. Then spread out the cards turning them over to play "Thought Concentration." The winner is the one who finds the most pairs.
Thought Quotations
Here is a secular thought quotation: "Your mind is a garden, Your thoughts are the seeds. You can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds." And here are well-known "thoughts" verses from Isaiah 55:8,9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Think about these; talk about them!
Eastern Meditation
T Is for Thoughts
T is for thoughts--
let your thoughts go!
That's the Eastern way
to stop the flow, so-
Your mind grows quiet.
Thoughts Are Like
Thoughts are often pictured like clouds, balloons, bubbles snowflakes, dots, butterflies, birds, fish, bees, and …. Can you name any other images used to picture our thoughts? In Eastern meditation you'll often seen these images in book or on videos. Always, the thoughts are considered a nuisance or a bother. Why is this?
What are kids sitting on a chair or in lotus told to do? If you said sit comfortably, close your eyes, fix your hands, and notice your breath you would be correct. However, there is one thing Eastern meditators are told not to do? What is that? If you said not notice your thoughts you'd be correct again. This is the exact opposite of Bible meditation where we're told to reflect or think on our thoughts!
Let Go of Your Thoughts!
When someone teaches meditation they'll tell you to let go of your thoughts! And they'll also often tell you that your mind with its thoughts is like a monkey chitter chattering and running here or there. Next they will tell you how to quiet your "monkey mind."
"The Monkey Mind" Introduced
at a Christian Camp
I first heard the term "monkey mind" on a Christian conference podcast where a dean of a Christian college was introducing the audience to the practice of "Centering Prayer" This prayer, like mindfulness, says get quiet, sit comfortably, and close your eyes. Instead of watching your breath, they tell you to pick a word or words like "Lord Jesus." You are then to repeat that word(s) over and over to help your mind forget its "monkey chatter." Is the Bible way to pray? to meditate? No, and no again! Just because you change from breath to a Christian word mantra doesn't make it Christian at all!
The Monkey Mind and the Buddha
In the Guide to Buddhism A to Z states that the Buddha described "the agitated, easily distracted and incessantly moving behavior of ordinary human consciousness like that of a monkey swinging from tree to tree." In contrast, the Buddha told his disciples to train their minds to be like a forest deer who was gentle but always aware. http://buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=274
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda
Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda by Lauren Alderfer is read aloud on YouTube. View it here:
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&p=mindful+monkey+happy+panda+read+aloud+videos#id=1&vid=dcfbb9d05ff217dcddc36741b1132978&action=click
This is just one of the many books on mindfulness for young children teaching the belief in the monkey mind.
Peace of Mind
Say no to monkey mind,
Say hello to peace of mind
that one can find in Christ!
Isaiah 26:13: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee."
Parental Suggestions:
Some Thoughts on the Book Seven Little Monkeys
View the book Seven Little Monkeys by Joanie Woodward based on the well-known rhyme "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." However, this bedtime tale teaches little ones about a monkey who had seven little chakra-colored monkeys chitter-chattering in its brain picturing the "monkey mind thoughts" that stopped it from sleeping.
At the video's end the listener should pause the button to read carefully the note: "To the Reader" explaining the words and symbols in the book including: definitions of yoga, deep belly breathing, Om, yogi, yogini, namaste, and chakra colors. This book truly is what the "monkey mind" is really all about, and it isn't a cute bedtime tale at all. Ponder this parents! Beware of these words, symbols, and colors! Beware of this book! View it here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoR73WOW1xo
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