Meditation has hundred of forms and practices and has been practiced for centuries all over the world. Hindu mystics and Buddhist efforts at the attainment of Nirvana and many other practices are the human side or preparation for the encounter with the supernatural. Being an encounter, we can manage or prepare only the human side, our side. The other side or that of the Other is not within our control. Over the centuries people have had mystical encounters whether they are from primitive cultures or well-developed cultures as the Hindus and the Buddhists. In such cases, the Other, or the other side, has joined in the encounter.

For the Jews and the Christians, revelation has added to the understanding of this encounter. The Catholic teaching is that when man prepares his side of the meeting, the Other may reward with mystic experience whoever He pleases. However, it is easier and more probable with the help of Revelation. Accordingly although meditation has many positive earthly advantages its big reward is the experience of encounter with the Creator and/or His Son Jesus. Meditation has useful and practical worldly effects but this is only an extra advantage. Its traditional and common purpose is to prepare for an encounter with God.

Of the many hundred forms or ways of meditating, some are simple and easy others are complicated and those in between. A simple one is repeating a mantra or ejaculation. The natives of the Himalayas repeat a simple mantra as they cross extremely dangerous pathways from which they can slide down a couple of thousand feet into a canyon. Many have discovered a personal mantra or prayer. Some are meaningful such as "Jesus I love You." or jumbled and meaningless such as the anting-anting used by the revolutionarios. But still they are an effort to get the aid of the Supernatural. Of the more common meditations, is the reading of a passage of Holy Scriptures, pausing every once in a while to reflect on the reading and react to it with emotions such as love and praise. Another form is to take a common prayer like the Our Father and reflect on the words or phrases. Several minutes even hours can be profitable spent in reflection on its first two words and making conclusions and applications to one’s daily life.

Then come the discursive or logical meditations, then contemplative forms where in the Ignatian system is to recall a passage in the Scriptures or other reading and use the observations of sight, feeling, hearing, touch, and other senses to make conclusions for everyday life or just enjoy the scene. This is one way of classifying meditations into discursive, contemplative, and mystical. In this last form, the initiative and rewards are done by the other side of the encounter. So the human side is limited to a passive effort to enjoy the mystic encounter. There are many books on meditation that can be helpful especially for beginners. <emeterio_barcelon@yahoo.com>