Why Meditate?

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WHAT EDGAR CAYCE TAUGHT ABOUT MEDITATION

Cayce describes meditation as a way of listening to God rather than only speaking to Him.

For example:

Prayer is talking to God, while meditation is listening to God.

He emphasizes that through meditation we “re-establish a conscious awareness of our spiritual source” and invite God’s will to work through us.

He also states that meditation enables attunement and application: spiritually awakening (attunement) and then living that out (application).

Further, Cayce highlights that the purpose of meditation is to let your “better self come through” by aligning with God’s Spirit and mind.

From this we can draw several specific reasons why Cayce advocated meditation:

To quiet the body and mind so we may open to the divine dimension and our true self.

To bring the mind into constructive focus: an affirmation or ideal is held in awareness, which then helps shape the life.

To foster healing and wholeness: mind, body and spirit align coherently by meditative practice.

To become a channel of blessing to others: not just self-improvement, but outward love and service as a result of inner attunement.

Thus, for Cayce, meditation is not simply a relaxation technique — it is a spiritual discipline that helps one awaken to one’s spiritual identity, listen for divine guidance, transform one’s consciousness, and act in love.

Biblical support for meditation (or quiet listening and attunement)

While the term “meditation” in the modern sense doesn’t always appear exactly in Scripture, many passages point to the value of stillness, listening to God, and internal attunement — which align with what Cayce described.

Here are a few key verses:

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

This emphasizes stillness and knowing God — a core of meditative posture.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways…” (Psalm 37:7)

“After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire came a gentle whisper [or still small voice].” (1 Kings 19:12)

This shows God’s voice often comes in quiet, subtle attunement rather than loud spectacle.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Suggesting that hearing God’s voice is part of our spiritual life.

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

This supports the posture of listening (inward, to God) rather than constant self-expression.

From these and other passages, we see biblical hope that through stillness, listening, and inward reflection, we can:

Recognize and know God more deeply;

Receive guidance and wisdom from Him;

Align our will with His;

Experience inner peace and stability in the face of life’s storms.

Synthesizing Cayce and Scripture: “Why do we meditate?”

Putting it together, here’s a cohesive answer:

We meditate to attune ourselves to God (as Cayce frames it) — to quiet the distractions of body, mind and external life so that the Spirit of God can speak, lead, heal, and transform. Scripture encourages us to be still, listen, hear His voice, and be changed.

Specifically:

Through meditation we open space for God’s presence. (Psalm 46:10)

We slow the mind, calm the body, and become receptive rather than reactive. (James 1:19)

We foster the inner condition in which the “still small voice” of God may be heard in contrast to chaos. (1 Kings 19:12)

We align our thoughts and feelings with a heavenly ideal — which Cayce calls “affirmation” — thereby allowing our mind (the builder) to shape our life according to Spirit. (Cayce: “Spirit is the life, mind is the builder, and the physical is the result.”)

This transformed inner life naturally expresses outwardly as love, service and blessing to others. (Cayce emphasised being “a channel of blessings to others.”)

In short:

we meditate so that we are not merely shaped by external circumstances, but are shaped from within by the Divine, and thus live more consciously, lovingly and purposefully.

A meditation of surrender — being available for God’s use.

Let thy prayer, thy meditation, be as this:

Here am I; use me, O God, as Thou seest I have need of that I (calling thy name) may know what Thou wouldst have me do! Let my attitude to my fellow man, mine loved ones, mine friends, mine enemies, be such that my life, my expressions of hope and joy and kindness, may reflect His life to others. Keep my tongue, keep my feet, in those ways, in those paths, that lead to the understandings Thou wouldst have me have - now.

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Meditation as aligning body, soul and God’s love — harmony of Spirit and self.

...let the meditation and the prayer ever be, of those that would aid: "RAISE THOU, O GOD, IN THIS BODY, THAT WHICH IS THE BEST AS THOU SEEST FIT; THAT THERE MAY BE THE HARMONY THAT COMES IN THY LOVE FOR THIS SOUL."

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Meditation = listening to God, as opposed to only speaking (prayer) (“Prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening to God.”)

It serves attunement (awakening to spiritual nature) and application (living that spiritual nature).

It aligns body, mind, and spirit; it focuses thoughts positively; it opens channels in life for service and healing.

It is recommended regularly, daily, and especially during stillness or when external distractions are minimal.

Complementary Bible Verses

Here are some Scriptures that align in theme with those readings and help ground the “why” of meditation in the Christian tradition:

Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

This echoes the idea of being still (quieting the body/mind) and entering into awareness of God.

1 Kings 19:11-12 — “And after the fire a still small voice…”

Suggests that God often speaks in quietness, aligning with Cayce’s idea of listening in meditation.

James 1:19 — “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak…”

Encourages the posture of listening, inward orientation rather than only outward expression.

Psalm 37:7 — “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…”

Highlights waiting and receptivity — core to meditative practice.

John 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice…”

Suggests that we can hear God’s voice — meditation helps us attune to that.

Romans 12:1-2 — “Present your bodies a living sacrifice … be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Links to Cayce’s theme: make the body/mind a channel, renew the mind — meditation contributes to that renewal.

Bringing It Together — Why We Meditate (Cayce and Bible)

Drawing from both Cayce’s readings and Scripture, here’s a cohesive answer:

To quiet the noise: The world, our bodies, our minds are busy. Meditation offers a still, focused space (Psalm 46:10; James 1:19).

To listen to God: Beyond our words and requests, meditation is a posture of receptivity — “listening” as Cayce puts it; Scripture likewise invites stillness for God to speak (1 Kings 19:12).

To attune body, mind, spirit: Cayce emphasises that meditation aligns these three; Romans 12:1-2 invites mind renewal and living sacrifice.

To focus the mind constructively: Rather than simply blanking out, Cayce suggests affirmations like "I am at peace" — the Bible talks about thinking on whatever is true, noble, right (Philippians 4:8).

To prepare for service and transformation: Cayce’s readings often tie meditation to being a “channel of blessing.” The Bible commands service, love, transformation (Romans 12; James 1:27).

To hear the internal voice of guidance: John 10:27 assures us we can hear God’s voice. Meditation is a means to cultivate that listening space.

BIBLE VERSES ON MEDITATION:

Psalm 46:10 — “Be still, and know that I am God…”

Psalm 37:7 — “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret…”

1 Kings 19:11-12 — “And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”

John 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

James 1:19 — “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

Romans 12:1-2 — “… present your bodies a living sacrifice … be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Philippians 4:8 — “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable … let your mind dwell on these things.”

Psalm 19:14 — “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD…”

Isaiah 30:15 — “In quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”

Psalm 63:6 — “When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.”

Matthew 11:28-29 — “Come to me … and you will find rest for your souls.”

Colossians 3:2 — “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us therefore with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”

Psalm 1:2 — “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”

Joshua 1:8 — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth … but you shall meditate on it day and night.”

Psalm 19:1 — “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” — invites still attentiveness to creation.

John 14:26 — “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.” — aligns with listening inward, being guided.