Faith and Meditation
Lately I have been taking Tang Soo Do a traditional Korean Martial art that spawned more sport and competition oriented Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do, which is more popular worldwide (probably due to the competitive nature), always seemed pretty interesting to me. Tang Soo Do, however, interested me for its more traditional and philosophic nature. This is only a viewpoint that I observe from where I am, and I cannot speak for TSD or TKD studios across the country.
The other day I was talking with one of my TSD instructors about Martial Arts and he was telling me about some of his experiences. One of the experiences he discussed with me was a two hour class that he was involved in Moo Duk Kwan. In the class, which was a two hour class, they would spend 15 minutes in meditation at the beginning of class. They would be in a sitting position with their hands together at the fingertips and thumbs touching. During this time they would focus and the goal was to feel your heartbeat between your thumbs. For me, which I have tried that (and failed), that kind of focus is difficult and will take practice.
I began to think of the connection between mediation and Christianity. It is something that I have studied before. I wrote a sermon about it once and I enjoyed the feeling it gave to discuss something that seemed so far removed from most of today’s Christian’s lives. Some of the more physical practices (i.e. meditation or fasting) which are supported by New Testament example are very far removed from many Christian’s lives.
I am not trying to complain nor am I saying that if Christians do not practice such things that they are less spiritual. Instead I am thinking out loud. Why do we not practice such things that we have command for and example of? Why do we not teach more on these topics in order to keep a proper biblical philosophy about them and not let them to become forgotten or twisted into something else? Shouldn’t we teach them to our children early so they understand what they are, how to do them properly and safely, and why to do them?
