“Why can’t I think straight anymore?” It was technology writer Nicholas Carr who brought this question into the public forum with his 2008 article in The Atlantic, titled “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”

The premise of the piece was that the internet may be “rewiring” users’ minds, making it difficult to focus for long periods of time, particularly when reading.

At the time, Mr. Carr’s hypothesis was met with a wide range of responses, everything from hearty agreement to bitter dispute. Today, the idea that technology affects the way we think is embraced by nearly all.

Our jobs often require us to stay connected to our email and instant messaging apps at all times. Our personal relationships involve reacting, liking and sharing content on social media. Keeping up with the news also seems to require keeping an eye on our smartphone at all times. Technology’s role in our lives is both a gift and a curse.

An excerpt from a book titled The Focus Fix: Finding Clarity, Creativity and Resilience in an Overwhelming World explains more: “The rise of the internet—and the many devices we can now access it from—has both empowered and debilitated us. It is hard, in our current moment, to remember a time when we weren’t all so connected. And yet, it wasn’t so long ago that the constant access to both information and other people we now take for granted was far from commonplace. Indeed, such advancements have not only dramatically altered the pace at which we live our lives, but also the very fabric of our neurology.”

It continues: “Instead of making our work more efficient and communication more timely, most of us now feel more stressed and overwhelmed than we ever have done before…it seems we have unwittingly made a rod for our own backs by allowing technology to add to our mental burden rather than relieve it—but the good news is that being aware of the conditions that have led to this is the first step towards changing it.”

This is life in the 21st century. For all its positive benefits, the information age has left many feeling unproductive, fuzzy and scatter-brained.

All the while, many have a nagging feeling that something is missing—a notion they are rushing headlong through life, with little say in how it progresses. Amid the busyness, days, weeks and months can breeze past without a person reflecting on how he is spending the 75-or-so years given to him.

What is the missing component in our lives? What is lacking in our hectic lifestyles?

Time to meditate.

You Are What You Think

For some, the word meditation conjures images of someone sitting cross-legged on the floor, arms folded, repeatedly chanting “Ommm.” Many have the idea that meditation is only practiced in eastern religions. Others believe that the purpose of meditation is to go into a trance to receive visions, achieve a “higher plateau,” or experience an “awakening of the inner self.” Still others feel it is idle daydreaming.

The definition for meditate from the American Dictionary of the English Language clears up the confusion: “to dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind,” and “to intend; to have in contemplation.”

Meditation is deep, serious, controlled thought. It involves reflection, contemplation, pondering, weighing, studying and imagining. This is exactly the type of activity high-speed lifestyles crowd out—making one feel overextended, frazzled and stressed out.

Many are realizing the benefits of taking more time to pause and be present with their thoughts, as seen in the rising popularity of mindfulness. A VeryWellMind article defined the term: “Mindfulness involves becoming more aware of the present moment—nonjudgmentally and completely—rather than dwelling on the past or projecting into the future.”

The article goes on to include some of its benefits: “Mindfulness can…decrease anxiety about the future. It can provide a break from stressful thoughts, allow you to take a mental break, and gain perspective, among other things.” It added, “One study found that mindfulness-based stress reduction significantly reduced stress levels. It also had lasting effects, with people showing improved coping skills, better relationships, and increased personal growth up to three years later.”

Not stopping to clear mental clutter can lead to health problems. Taking the time to disconnect is challenging, but worth it.

“Research in neuropsychology and neuroscience shows that vigorous mental activity can lead to good brain fitness, which in turn, translates into a sharper memory, faster processing of information, better attention, and other improved cognitive skills,” Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg and Alvaro Fernandez state in the book The SharpBrains Guide to Brain Fitness.

Similar to muscles in the body, the brain must be exercised for it to function correctly. Yet meditation brings much more than health benefits.

A Biblical Habit

You might be surprised to know that mindfulness and meditation have their roots in Scripture. The practice of being alone with your thoughts was undertaken by ancient patriarchs who lived thousands of years ago. The spiritual benefits of this habit are beyond measure.

Proverbs 23:7 shows the importance of good mental health: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” Said another way, we are what we think. It is important to take time to think and to make sure our thoughts are healthy and profitable.

The apostle Paul explained what kind of thoughts we should nurture: “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).

Meditating will help you learn to think before you act, instead of allowing your body to act before you think. You will become known as someone who is able to prevent himself from acting on impulses—which evidences a high level of self-control.

This also reflects on your character. Consider: “He that has no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Prov. 25:28). In ancient times, a city without walls could not protect itself from outside forces. It was defenseless, and could easily be overrun by invaders or even animals. Ruling our thoughts gives us a defense against the challenges of life.

This habit can also benefit others around us. An article in Scientific American said, “Research demonstrates that people who meditate show increased positivity toward others. For instance, training in meditation is linked to increased sensitivity to and engagement with human suffering and an increased tendency toward altruism. Similarly, meditation interventions aimed at increasing kindness are associated with reduced bias toward numerous others…”

If we take time to think about not only our own needs but also those of people around us, we fulfill Philippians 2:4: “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

Meditation helps us be more caring and empathetic toward others. It puts us in a better mood and builds up our emotional control, which helps improve our personal relationships.

How to Do It

Since meditation is controlled thinking, best results are obtained when there are minimal distractions and interruptions. Any tranquil, peaceful area is suitable. For many who live in large cities, leaving the constant hum of activity is most beneficial. Going to a calm lake, a forest or serene farming area helps. If this is not an option, then a quiet park within a city may suffice. Even a still room in your home is suitable for meditation.

In the Bible, we read the example of what one of the patriarchs did: “And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide” (Gen. 24:63). In such a setting, free from distractions, he could quickly adjust from dealing with daily irritations and enter into a reflective mode.

Meditation of some length is best done daily. Begin with short periods and gradually extend to longer sessions of 20 minutes or more. Use time in meditation to plan out your day. Set small goals. Think about these later in the day, perhaps during the car ride home from work. It may be best to turn off any music, with the possible exception of soft instrumental music. This will help you concentrate. You may also want to keep a pen or pencil nearby to write down thoughts.

Carefully pondering daily questions will yield positive results. Consider: “A prudent man foresees [considers and discerns] the evil, and hides himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Prov. 22:3). Analyzing a situation and its possible outcome will allow you to stop and think before acting. It will give you greater perspective about how to handle a situation, which will most likely benefit you and those around you.

As you grow and develop in your ability to control your thoughts, you will receive great encouragement. Your life will take on new meaning.

Big Picture

As contemplating smaller tasks becomes a way of life, you can also start to meditate on other sections of your life—which involve the “big” questions. Your long-term goals. Your family. Where you want to be in a number of years.

This will naturally lead you to other questions that revolve around your existence: Where is the world going? Why was I created? What is my purpose?

One of the many benefits of meditation is that it helps us keep our goals in sharp focus. It also enables us to understand the differences between right and wrong goals, as well as differentiate between worthwhile, attainable and achievable goals, and mere pie in the sky dreams.

Goals define where we want to go. They give structure to our existence. However, for numerous individuals, goals are often vague and hazy. As a result, certain objectives are never fully realized.

What about you? Do you think about where you want to be in five, 10 or 20 years? Do you think about where your children and your family will be? Do you ever wonder about the purpose for which you were born—and what happens when you die? Contemplating such questions will become a driving force in your life.

But keep it simple. Thinking about deep questions does not need to become overly complicated. Pondering life does not mean you need to become a philosopher. You just need to devote quality, consistent time to using the tool of meditation.

For much more about how to meditate, read our article Meditation – The Misunderstood Tool.

Road Map for Life

Verses and principles in the Bible help us to meditate effectively. This living Book will also help you understand your purpose and guide you to greater and deeper understanding in life.

The Bible is the only guidebook that can steer us in the right direction on life’s most important matters. Carefully studying and meditating on its instructions will assure a safe course whereby we may reach our goals. King David understood the importance of this, stating in Psalms, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (119:105).

Undoubtedly, the greatest goal anyone could have would be to live forever—to attain immortality. And unknown to most, this is exactly the goal our Creator has for us. In fact, it is the very reason we were created! If we meditate on His Law, this can be our destiny. Notice Psalm 119:97: “O how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

God’s Law teaches us the right way to live—and leads us to understand more about God Himself and the Master Plan He has established for the world.

Speaking about humanity’s ultimate destiny, Paul wrote, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him” (I Cor. 2:9).

In his book The Awesome Potential of Man, our Editor-in-Chief David C. Pack expands on this concept: “Most assume that God is trying to save the world now…But because the masses have no idea why they were born—why they were put on Earth—they also do not understand why man cannot find peace, happiness, health, and abundance on his own. The whole world has been deceived about salvation and the most important questions and answers of life.”

True meditation—the kind that involves controlling your thoughts and focusing on your purpose in this life—God’s ultimate purpose for you—will lead to the reason you were born—and your incredible future.

To learn more, read The Awesome Potential of Man.