Meditation

Lee Kuan Yew’s devout Christian friend, Ng Kok Song, taught him to meditate. This meditation involves the use of a chanting mantra, to keep the monkey mind from running off into all kinds of thoughts. Is there any basis in the Bible for such type of meditation?

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking (Matthew 6:7 KJV).

This may not apply directly to meditation, but to prayer, but I believe the principle is the same. No vain repetitions.

For Lee Kuan Yew, the purpose of meditation is to achieve peace and serenity. For Christians, peace comes from God. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27 ESV)." We have our assurance of salvation, "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV)." The world has no peace, and they tried many ways to achieve it. They have no assurance. They are seeking for peace. They will not find it. "'There is no peace for the wicked, ' says the LORD (Isaiah 48:22 NASB)."

For Christians, the purpose of meditation is to know God, to know the Bible so that the Word of God will influence the way we act and we can be transformed by the renewal of our mind. We do not need to meditate to achieve peace and serenity. But our meditation of the Word transforms us, and in turn, transforms the world.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2 ESV).