The Purpose of Meditation

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The purpose of meditation is not to escape life, feel special, or gain power over others. According to Edgar Cayce, meditation is meant to help a person connect with the Divine within themselves so they can live better, love more, and serve others with purpose. Cayce said simply, “Meditation is listening to the Divine within” (1861-19). That means meditation isn’t about talking or asking—it’s about becoming quiet enough to hear guidance that already exists inside you.

Cayce warned that why you meditate matters more than how you meditate. If someone meditates out of fear, selfish desire, or the wish to be admired, the results won’t last. He asked, “For what purpose do ye enter into the holy of holies? Is it on account of fear, or on account of desire that ye may laud self?” (294-198). Meditation done for ego or control may feel powerful at first, but it eventually leads to confusion or emptiness. Real meditation is meant to align a person with something higher than personal gain.

The true purpose of meditation is to discover your ideal—the kind of person you want to become spiritually—and then live that ideal every day. Cayce said, “First find deep within self that purpose, that ideal to which ye would attain. Make that ideal one with thy purpose in Him” (2533-1). Meditation helps you remember who you are meant to be, not just for yourself, but for how you treat other people. The way you act toward others shows whether meditation is actually working.

Meditation is not meant to pull you away from the world. Cayce was clear that spiritual growth must show up in daily life. He said, “All of the divine ye may know in the material plane ye can, ye must, manifest in thy dealings with thy fellow man” (3051-2). That means if meditation doesn’t make you kinder, more patient, or more understanding, then it hasn’t reached its purpose yet. Meditation should make you stronger on the inside so you can face life more honestly—not avoid it.

Another key purpose of meditation is learning to listen instead of asking. Cayce explained the difference clearly: “Prayer is supplication to God and meditation is listening to His answer” (2946-6). Prayer speaks outward, but meditation listens inward. When you learn to be still, guidance comes—not always as words, but as understanding, peace, or a sense of what the next right step should be.

Cayce also taught that meditation is meant to prepare you to be a channel of help. He said, “Don’t let a day go by without meditation and prayer for some definite purpose, and not for self, but that self may be the channel of help to someone else” (3624-1). Meditation strengthens you so you can help others—not because you’re better than them, but because you’re connected to something loving and steady.

Ultimately, the purpose of meditation is love in action. Cayce taught that life itself exists so the soul can learn to live in harmony with divine love. He reminded people that the body is sacred, saying, “Thy body is indeed the temple of the living God. There He has promised to meet thee. Meditate oft in same” (2830-2). Meditation is where that meeting happens—but the proof of it shows up in how you live, how you forgive, and how you care.

In the end, meditation isn’t about having mystical experiences or escaping reality. It’s about becoming more real, more loving, and more aware. As Cayce taught, when meditation is done with the right purpose, it helps a person live with meaning, courage, and compassion—every single day.

SELECTED READINGS ON THE PURPOSE OF MEDITATION

“For what purpose do ye enter into the holy of holies? Is it on account of fear, or on account of desire that ye may laud self?” 294-198

Cayce is saying that meditation isn’t just about sitting quietly—it’s about why you’re doing it. If you meditate because you’re afraid, insecure, or trying to feel important, it won’t help in the long run.

“Such may be partially aided or helped for the time, but their fruits ripen in the experiences of those who seek with such purpose or desire.” 294-198

If meditation is done for selfish reasons, it might feel good at first, but later it leads to problems. What you bring into meditation eventually shows up in your life.

“Even they find it who seek knowing not what, yet desirous to be used only by Him who quickeneth.” 294-198

You don’t have to have everything figured out. If your intention is to be helpful and open to God’s guidance, meditation will still work.

“First find deep within self that purpose, that ideal to which ye would attain.” 2533-1

Meditation helps you discover what kind of person you truly want to be—not what others expect, but what feels right deep inside.

“Make that ideal one with thy purpose in Him.” 2533-1

Your goals and your spiritual values should line up. Meditation helps bring your inner values and outer actions together.

“Within thine own body, thine own temple, He—thy Lord, thy Master—has promised to meet thee.” 2533-1

You don’t have to look outside yourself for spiritual connection. Meditation is where that connection happens—inside you.

“There may come—yea, there will come—those directions; by that constant communion with Him.” 2533-1

Meditation brings guidance over time. It doesn’t remove challenges, but it helps you know how to handle them.

“Use this, practice this in thy daily dealings with thy fellow man.” 2533-1

Meditation isn’t just for quiet moments—it’s meant to shape how you treat people every day.

“Each soul enters an experience for that purpose of an expression of that gained.” 657-3

Life is like a classroom. Meditation helps you understand what you’re here to learn and express.

“There may be an entering into the holy of holies within the self, where the promise has been ever that there thy Lord may meet thee.” 657-3

When life feels confusing, meditation is where clarity begins—not outside answers, but inner understanding.

“It is not as to how much knowledge one has that counts… it is what the entity does about that it knows that counts.” 657-3

Meditation isn’t about collecting spiritual ideas—it’s about living them.

“Putting the whole law into effect… to love the Lord thy God… and thy neighbor as thyself.” 1567-2

The ultimate purpose of meditation is love—love for God, love for others, and healthy love for yourself.

“An experience is not only a happening, but what is the reaction in your own mind?” 1567-2

Meditation helps you respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally.

“What does it do to you to make your life… of a more helpful nature, with a more hopeful attitude?” 1567-2

If meditation is working, it makes you more hopeful, helpful, and steady—not more judgmental or withdrawn.

“Life… is eternal.” 1567-2

Meditation reminds you that life has meaning beyond temporary struggles or failures.

“All glory… is due that creative force that may be manifested in our experiences… through the manner in which we deal with our fellow man.” 1567-2

How you treat people is how you express your spirituality.

“Thy body is indeed the temple of the living God. There He has promised to meet thee.” 2830-2

Meditation honors your body as something meaningful—not something to ignore or abuse.

“Meditate oft in same.” 2830-2

Meditation isn’t a one-time thing. Regular practice helps keep you balanced and grounded.

“Let the glorification of self be rather the result of having accomplished… the love that the Father… has manifested.” 1189-1

You don’t meditate to look spiritual. Growth shows naturally through loving actions.

“Become, then, a channel of blessings to others.” 1189-1

The purpose of meditation is not to elevate yourself above others, but to help goodness flow through you.

“Meditate upon those activities that may be motivative by the desires of the inner self.” 1189-1

Meditation helps you live from your true values instead of pressure, fear, or ego.

Edgar Cayce taught that the purpose of meditation is not escape, power, or special experiences.

Its true purpose is inner alignment, loving action, and living with meaning—every day.