The Bible vs. Meditation For Spiritual Growth

First, a little background: I have been practicing a special Judeo-Christian meditation over a period of some forty years now. I learned of this meditation after a friend introduced me to the deep wisdom of a man named Roy Masters. He spoke of rediscovering an ancient practice that could lead one to understanding and living from “the kingdom of Heaven within” as Jesus referred to.

I practiced this form of meditation for many years “religiously.” I had a number of powerful spiritual breakthroughs, coming as I was from a background of having experienced early traumas that had the effect of taking me away from my original innocence.

After practicing this meditation successfully for a good amount of time, I eventually started practicing another form of meditation taught by another religious “minister.” During this time period, I got far off track morally, and essentially lost my way, as I have described on this platform.

And honestly I don’t know if the form of the different meditation I began practicing was such a negative. I believe it had much more to do with my accepting the authority of this religious “teacher,” and therefore doubting my own intuition. In any case, I lost my moral compass, and began to be influenced more by the thoughts in my head and my resulting feelings, which began to drown out the “still, small voice” of conscience that proper meditation should keep us in touch with.

So later, I went back to meditating closer to the way I had previously in the vein of the way I’d learned through Roy Masters. Yet, the Spirit led me to practice it in a very simple way, actually much like I had done effortlessly and spontaneously as a child. I believe that many people experience this effortless way of staying close to God as a child, but tend to forget it as the traumas of the world mount in our lives and innocence slips away.

Yet, even after going back to a simple, and highly-effective meditation, though the peace and insight I experienced was indeed profound, there was still a bit of a block–somehow I could not tangibly connect this peace to the love of my Father in Heaven. There was still a void in me, that cried out to be fulfilled.

Food and “Fool-fillment”

Roy Masters used to speak of people “looking for love in all the wrong places.” He called it “fool-fillment.” We use romantic love, or drugs, sex, and especially food to try to fill a place in us that is reserved only for God. I have done the same since I was a kid, and I have been guilty of using all of these things in a vain attempt to find true fulfillment.

I used to live under the notion that meditation alone was enough to fulfill me. And that may indeed be the case for many. I have heard many stories of people finding stillness and insight through meditation and in short order seeing their “vices” disappear. God bless them, but that was not quite me.

Even though my “go to” remains meditation, over the years, I have found many additional “tools” that have helped me connect to my Father. One of these tools has been physical pain. My lung has collapsed twice, which required exceedingly painful surgery and rehabilitation. I have passed kidney stones at least four times, and each time I was literally brought to my knees. Every pain was a new lesson–mostly reminding me of my stubborn nature’s refusal to fully let go and accept my Father’s love. “I had to have it MY way–or no way at all” goes an old popular song I recall.

The Role of Worded Prayer and the Bible

I’ve been reading the Bible–at least to some degree–for decades now. But there was always something in the way of me fully appreciating it. For some reason I had trouble reading the Gospels in particular. I would interpret Jesus’ words as somehow being hard or unachievable.

But a long-time friend–an older man who also meditated for decades yet never gave up his judgment of his son (he did not SEE his it!), and his workaholism–began to tell me how he was hit with strokes. His life as he knew it was halted. He could no longer overwork himself. In fact, he could barely work at all. He had to slow down. And somewhere in that space, my friend suddenly experienced his Father’s love and he has not been the same since!

My friend encouraged me to continue meditating, being aware to watch my thoughts leading me astray, but also to be open to pray with words as the Spirit moves me. I had long since stopped praying with words, with a few exceptions, once I started meditating. In the “meditator” community, some looked at praying with words as somewhat backwards or even potentially dangerous. My friend mentioned that he often says the Lord’s Prayer, and that it has helped him. He also encouraged reading the Bible and other inspirational books that encourage us to do our Father’s will.

At some point–seeing that I could not stop myself from habitually overeating the wrong foods–I began reading the Bible in search of “spiritual food.” It has helped, to some degree.

Jan’s Letter

I have also been attending church, at the Foundation of Human Understanding (FHU), which Roy Masters entrusted to his son, Alan, before Roy passed several years ago. I have found that “confessing your sins to one another” is another powerful “spiritual tool.” I consider it essential.

Last Sunday, I was speaking with Alan’s wife, Jan, about beginning to read the Bible more to help me overcome my food addiction, and she made some interesting points I hadn’t given my full consideration. Later, she texted me the following, which I believe is profound, and I asked her and Alan if they were okay with me passing on this text to you, my readers. They agreed, so here it is:

“Patrick, I had a few other things come to mind after we spoke on Sunday. You mentioned that you were honestly going to the scriptures to help with your addiction to food. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because I do believe that reading the scriptures is in itself a source of food. Soul, food, if you will. Or food for the spirit.

Read it with a hungry heart that wants to know the truth about who you are and Who made you and why. It’s that relationship right there with the Creator of the Universe where the emptiness is arising from. We are not to read the scriptures for the sake of intellectual “knowledge” or to find a “recipe” to fix the problem we have. We are to read the scriptures in search of the One who wrote them, that we might know Him; that He might be revealed to us through what is written; that our Spirit might be quickened and our heart touched by what is revealed BEYOND the written word, and yet THROUGH the written Word.

What is the purpose for the written word? As for any of us, when we write something, it’s because we have something to say. The same is true with God. He has something to say! And he has recorded it in the scriptures as a witness of his truth and his love and his plan for mankind.

We can and should meditate daily and seek God’s presence. However, I have noticed, from my own experience and from observing others, that those who neglect or disregard the Bible never seem quite fulfilled, constantly disappointed, over-focused and struggling with their own shortcomings or the shortcomings of others.

But just like Peter, if we would just keep our eyes on Jesus, we could walk on water! 💦 Lol

Basically what I’m saying is that I believe the meditation and the scriptures go hand-in-hand. An avid Bible reader would be greatly enriched by learning to be still, and an avid meditator would be greatly enriched by reading the scriptures, as they can help to lead us to that stillness with gratefulness, praise, and an open heart.”

Jan also read the letter on her and Alan’s podcast, Perilous World Radio. I’ve included this and the related conversation HERE.

My biggest takeaway from all this, is that we need to be open to our Father’s love and message, in whatever form it may take. As I mentioned, meditation is still my “go to” spiritual tool, and I can’t imagine ever giving it up (God willing!). It has brought so much insight and peace to my life. But pain, prayer, fellowship, daily challenges and God’s written word, the Bible–are ALL bringing more Life to me, and more appreciation for my Father’s love for me, and I believe for everyone who is truly open to it.

At so many points in our lives, we can be led to believe that we’ve “learned it all.” And yet, life has a way of showing us another blind spot–sometimes a HUGE blind spot!

I am so thankful… for a new year, but mostly for a new DAY to experience the love and relationship of our Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit–somehow working together perfectly for our good. I’m beginning to see that this is what life is truly about!

Patrick Rooney is the Founder of OldSchoolUs.com. He promotes natural health, success, and freedom during chaotic times. To reach Patrick, email him at [email protected].