Whole Brain Scripture Meditation As a Spiritual Practice
The Divinely Inspired Word by Jim Baker
Most of us are inclined to mostly use only one side of our brain. Our thought processes are either predominately creative, intuitive and abstract (right brain), or logical, rational and concrete (left brain).
This is true in our work as well as our spiritual life. To engage both the right and left sides of our brains requires concentration, focus and intentionality. When we do, we are capable of break through thinking and feeling.
When applied to reading and reflecting upon God’s word, we frequently experience fresh insights and emotions. For example, meditating on a conceptual text (left brain) and an imagery text (right brain) together can have a greater impact on the mind and heart than a single text in isolation.
Include the following Whole Brain Scripture Meditation Exercise as a regular spiritual practice and judge for yourself.
Whole Brain Scripture Meditation Exercise
Step 1: Invocation
Intentionally place yourself before God; ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the text, and to bring you into the presence of Christ.
Step 2: Reading and Reflection
Select a biblical text that states a truth or concept. Select a companion text that has more imagery such as a narrative, parable or story that helps you feel and experience the truth or concept. Example: read a text on the concept of the Kingdom of God and then read a parable of Jesus that has a concrete image (yeast, a lamp, treasure in a buried field, a pearl of great price, etc.).
In a leisurely, prayerful and reflective spirit, spend 15-30 minutes in reading both texts, slowly pondering the words, images and associations.
Step 3: Prayer
Thank God for this time in his presence and for any insights or leading that he may have given you.
Step 4: Recollection
Sometime later in the day, remember your time in the presence of the Lord through the text, and remind yourself again of the insight, word, phrase, sense of leading or sense of his presence that you may have experienced during your time of meditation.
Example Exercise:
Left Brain: Read and meditate on a propositional text that states on a cognitive level the wonderful truth of sonship, adoption, God as Abba Father and that we are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you have received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Romans 8:15-16
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus………..Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out Abba, Father. Galatians 3:26; 4:6
Right Brain: Read and meditate on a pictorial narrative that helps you imagine, understand and experience what sonship, God as Abba Father and being children of God looks like and feels like on a personal level.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16-17
He got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
Posted on May 31, 2016
