This is part of chapter 5 of Bahram Khozairy’s first published book, “Jeet Kune Do to San Jieh Dao, From Darkness To Light”, released in 1995.
MEDITATION
By: Bahram Khozairy
Copyright © 1995 by Bahram Khozairy. All Rights Reserved.
The word meditation is a very common term within the context of martial arts vocabulary. What is meditation, and is it a safe practice to follow?
The term meditation comes from a Latin term "meditari" meaning, "consider thoughtfully, to ponder, especially on religious matters, deep thought, given to reflection."13
The most accurately known documents that we have in our possession, which mentions the word meditation, are the Old Testament Scriptures. The root meaning of the word meditate in the Hebrew dialect is "see-akh," which means, "to ponder, pray, speak, talk with."14
Thus, the true meaning of the term is to pray and communicate with God, the Lord of the universe, the Triune God of the Bible. Meditation in the Biblical sense is then depicted as a form of concentration through communication with the Lord.
The practice of concentration in and of itself is not wrong. In fact, it is the very thing that God asks us in our daily lives, especially when it comes to the devotion and the love for our Lord (Matthew 22:37).
The term concentrate means, "the act of bringing to a common center; to reduce to small space, to devote all attention; fixation of the mind on something."15
Truly, this is one of the greatest attributes of the human mind, which the Creator, the Lord of the universe has placed within man. To be able to accomplish incredible, delicate and complex tasks such as performing an operation on a patient; designing a complex engineering device; athletic performances in Olympic tournaments and other environments, where a high degree of mental convergence is required.
Yet, this concept and practice is quite different than the occultic meditation and concentration. In the kingdom of the cults and the world of the occults, meditation is always depicted as emptying out the mind, staring at objects (i.e. zazen meditation), and others such as: the practices of astral-projection, astral-flight and visualization. These forms of meditations are very rampant within the internal styles of martial arts, such as Tai-Chi Chuan and Aikido. The term chant which translates, "sacred words recited in a singing manner,"16 is also integral part of the cultic and occultic meditation.
The goal of the occultic meditation in the context of martial arts is to become one with the universal energies and universal consciousness. According to the New Age movement, since God is in every man and every man is part of God; man must reach within himself, in order to discover his godhood and divinity. This is not only the goal of occultic meditation, but is the very part of Taoism, Zen Buddhism and the New Age cults. And the danger of the occultic meditation, which are being promulgated in various schools of martial arts, is the manipulation, oppression, and finally the possession of the soul by other dimensional beings, which the Bible calls in Ephesians chapter two, "the prince of the power of the air," or Satan. When a person empty his mind, closes his eyes, meditate through breathing and concentrate through visualization; he places himself right at the mercy of the forces of darkness, which although invisible, yet very real and active.
Should a Christian or anyone get involved in practicing occultic meditation in order to gain strength, power or peace? The answer is absolutely NO. But then, how else can a Christian achieve his or her God permitting goals and gifts in the martial arts? The answer is found in the fourth chapter of the book of Philippians, where apostle Paul did not hesitate to reveal his secrete of successful Christian living,
"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)
The Bible has provided for us the most excellent and powerful tools for the purpose of accomplishing our functions as soldiers in the body of Christ. It gives us fantastic power and authority to live a peaceful, focused and productive life, with great intensity and energy. Again we read,
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7)
"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things... Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim, I box in such a way, as not beating the air."
(1 Corinthians 9:24,25a, 26)
God desires for us to meditate on Him daily (Psalms 1:2, 63:6, 77:12, 119:15,23,48,78,148). He also encourages us to concentrate intensively in our daily walk and activities, providing they are not anti-Biblical endeavors.
Perfectionism is not only not condemned in the Bible, but is the very thing the Lord Jesus Himself taught in relation to Christian living. In the context of the Beatitudes, the Lord Jesus summed it all up,
"therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew :48)
Incidentally, the word for perfect in Greek is "Teleios," which translates, "complete in various application of labor growth mental and moral character."17
It must be our ambition, everyday to get a step closer toward the perfectionism and completeness, with Jesus Christ being the focal point of our standard.
As Paul said to the young Timothy, to be diligent (2 Timothy 2:15) in the study of the Scriptures in order to be approved by God.
We as well, ought to be tenacious in the Scriptures and in other matters, including the martial arts training. And, as the disciples of the Lord, the Holy Spirit graciously provides us the energy, intensity and concentration that is necessary to accomplish our tasks, even in the pursuit of martial arts; as a way of glorifying our Master and God; through self protection, self improvement and the development of our minds and body through healthy and productive exercises and conditioning.
Finally, what sort of things ought to occupy the mind of a Christian? The answer is found, again, in the word of God, Where God tells us,
"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
13. WEBSTER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DICTIONARIES, NEW AMERICAN EDITION (U.S.A.: Ottenheimer Publishers, Inc., 1958), p. 233.
14. James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D. The New Strong's Concordance, Hebrew and Chaldee dictionary, Lexicon, (Nashville, Tn.: Thomas Nelson Publishers), p. 115.
15. WEBSTER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DICTIONARIES, p. 81.
16. Ibid., p. 66.
17. Strong, Greek Dictionary of the New Testament, p. 71.