Meditation: Does it Open Doors for the Devil?

Meditation is a controversial subject among people of various faiths. Many religions believe meditation is the doorway to enlightenment or heaven. Others believe it is a doorway for the devil. With its increasing popularity in Western Cultures, the question of whether meditation leaves us vulnerable to the Devil's tactics is a concern for many people. What is it about meditation that people are afraid of? Many believe that it is a misguided attempt to connect with God, when in actuality it is the Devil you are connecting with. The fear is that our minds will be left void and this will allow the Devil to enter. But, is this really true?

The Point of Meditation

The aim of mediation is not to enter a trance or rid ourselves of thought and reason. Most of us live our lives on autopilot, completely controlled by our chaotic minds. The result is that we feel a lack of control over our lives and ourselves. We live stressed, depressed, anxious, sad, afraid, and confused.

Meditation provides a way for us to stop, step back, and look at our thoughts. To observe what we are thinking and how it makes us feel. It enables us to control our thought patterns, to quiet the destructive beliefs and focus on the healthy ones.

When we meditate, we step out of the chaos and fear that is so much a part of our daily lives. Meditation brings us back to the present moment and helps us to let go of our anxieties and relax. Meditation is not necessarily what you see the Buddhist Monks do. There are many different ways to meditate, just as there are different ways to exercise.

Meditation can be simply sitting quietly and observing your thoughts. It can mean reciting a 'feel good' word that enables you to feel peaceful and at ease. You can meditate by focusing on your breath and taking a break from the endless train of thoughts that drag you around all day.

Meditation is about understanding that we have the ability to control our thoughts, be in the present moment, and then using that ability to feel better and direct our thoughts and lives the way we want them to go. It isn't about magic, or emptying our minds.

If you have ever noticed yourself getting carried away, worrying about a feared outcome and then stopped yourself, took a deep breath, and refocused your mind, that was a form of meditation. You consciously decided to notice what you were thinking about, how it was making you feel, and interrupted that process by quieting those thoughts and focusing on better thoughts. There was no void in your mind that left you vulnerable. On the contrary, you had much more control of your mind.

I enjoy meditation. One of my favorite ways to do it, is to sit quietly and breath slowly while I repeat a word or phrase to myself like, "safe," "peace," or "joy." All I feel when I do this is relief, calm, and a greater sense of control in my life.

It is absolutely vital that we take the time out of our day to interrupt the wild thoughts we unconsciously get carried away with, otherwise they could ruin our day or even our lives.

Meditation gives us greater control of our minds, not less. There is no risk that you'll invite evil spirits in. There is nothing to be afraid of.