Assuming Quote by Richard J. Foster
“Whenever the Christian idea of meditation is taken seriously, there are those who assume it is synonymous with the concept of meditation centered in Eastern religions. In reality, the two ideas stand worlds apart. Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind; Christian meditation is an attempt to fill the mind. The two ideas are quite different.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster, 1992
Christian meditation seeks to fill the mind with divine truth, unlike Eastern practices that aim to empty it.
In simple terms: Christian meditation fills the mind with God; Eastern empties it.
Key Takeaway
Focus on God‑centered thoughts.
Themes
faith
spirituality
practice
contrast
Mood
contemplative
reflective
Type
theological
comparative
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church study
- spiritual retreats
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
theology
mindfulness
emptying vs filling
Questions to Reflect On
- How does filling the mind differ from emptying it?
- What benefits arise from each approach?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the value of silence and stillness in Christian tradition.
