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“For some, prayer is asking for God’s help; meditation is listening for God’s answer…. Quieting the mind through meditation brings an inner peace that brings us into contact with the God within us.”
Basic Text, pages 44-45
“Be patient when you’re learning to meditate,” many of us were told. “It takes practice to know what to ‘listen for.'” We’re glad someone told us that, or many of us would have quit after a week or two of meditating. For the first few weeks, we may have sat each morning, stilled our thoughts, and “listened” just as the Basic Text said—but “heard” nothing.
Starting a meditation practice can be challenging, especially for those new to the concept. The initial silence can feel intimidating and the lack of immediate results discouraging. However, understanding that meditation is a gradual process helps us stay committed.
It may have taken a few more weeks before anything really happened. Even then, what happened was often barely noticeable. We were rising from our morning meditations feeling just a little better about our lives, a little more empathy for those we encountered during the day, and a little more in touch with our Higher Power.
For most of us, there was nothing dramatic in that awareness—no bolts of lightning or claps of thunder. Instead, it was something quietly powerful. This gradual shift can be hard to recognize at first but becomes more apparent over time.
We were taking time to get our egos and our ideas out of the way. In that clear space, we were improving our conscious contact with the source of our daily recovery, the God of our understanding. Meditation was new, and it took time and practice. But, like all the steps, it worked—when we worked it.
Meditation is about creating space within ourselves where we can connect with our inner wisdom and the Higher Power. This space allows us to receive guidance and support that might otherwise be drowned out by the noise of daily life.
“Just for today: I will practice ‘listening’ for knowledge of God’s will for me, even if I don’t know what to ‘listen’ for yet.”
Meditation is not about achieving a specific state or receiving clear answers right away. It’s about being open and patient, allowing insights to come in their own time. This practice of listening helps us tune into subtle cues and inner wisdom that guide us on our recovery journey.
“Just for today: I will practice ‘listening’ for knowledge of God’s will for me, even if I don’t know what to ‘listen’ for yet.”
This daily meditation encourages us to persist with our meditation practice, even when the benefits aren’t immediately obvious. By continuing to “listen” and create that inner space, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with our Higher Power and a more profound understanding of our path.
To make meditation a consistent part of your recovery routine, consider these steps:
By incorporating these practices, you can deepen your meditation experience and enhance your recovery journey.