Many of the practices of martial-artists seem contrary to Christian beliefs to outsiders or to those who have been taught by non-Christians. One of the most confusing practices for Christian martial-artists is meditation.
Martial-artist usually spend time on meditation and concentration. Some people confuse this meditation with the Buddhist philosophy of meditating in order to sharpen and awaken the mind to find the "True Self." As a Christian martial-artist I know that meditation should not have this root or purpose.
Instead of emptying the mind, as in eastern religions, a Christian martial-artist should fill the mind. Luke 11:24-25 warns that if we empty our minds we are in danger of evil spirits entering. Instead, a Christian martial-artist can focus on martial-arts performance. I can use "meditation" to strategize and focus on a fight or form. In this sense, I "meditate" by picturing what I will be doing or how I will be doing it. Before a fight, for example, I try to picture some of the ways I will counter my opponent's attacks. Or sometimes it helps me to relax before a fight if I imagine myself winning or scoring points. Before doing forms I try to "meditate" on the moves and how the should be executed.
Another way to "meditate" is to focus on God, and by this I mean prayer or studying the Word. Philippians 4:8 tells us to meditate on things that are "true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious-the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. If I am at a school where we are given meditation time, I will use that time to thank God for allowing me to practice or ask Him to keep me safe. I may pray that He helps me to win or perform at my best. A lot of times I pray for healing. Outside of the DoJang, I will pray and study the Bible during my quiet times.
Eastern meditation is a dangerous ground for Christians because it means you are practicing another religion. In Deuteronomy 12:29-32, we are warned that we should not take up any practices of pagan religions. "...God hates it all with a passion..." Deuteronomy 12:31. Instead of meditating like Buddhists or Taoists, martial-artist should learn how to meditate like Christians.
Meditation is not a requirement in the type of the Taekwondo I practice. I know of schools that have meditation time. If a Christian is careful to fill his or her mind with Godly things instead of emptying the mind or meditating as part of an eastern religion, a Christian martial-artist is safe to meditate.
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