the sake of which the gift was bestowed.
We have much for which to give thanks to the Lord; and from the Writings,
as from no other source, we can learn how to work as of ourselves to enter into
the real benefits of all the Lord’s gifts, and how to promote the uses for the sake
of which they were given. As we strive to do these things we will truly praise
the Lord. The earth will yield its true increase, and God, our own God, will
bless us.
O U R N E W C H U RC H V O C A B U L A R Y
Part of a continuing series developed by the Rev. W. Cairns Henderson, 1961-1966.
MEDITATION
As used in the Writings, this is not a synonym for reflection but a term with a distinct
meaning. Meditation is a state of the interior thought of the understanding, which is the
ruling love thinking, into which man comes when he is alone or in his own home and thus
in freedom. It is that mental activity in which the understanding contemplates, intends and
plans the ends of the ruling love, and ponders and seeks means to their attainment; and it is
characterized by the fact that in it man thinks and wills what he really loves.
Meditation should be cultivated as a means of becoming acquainted with the internal
man and of discovering those evils which will remain hidden even from ourselves if we are
never left alone. (See Divine Love and Wisdom 404; Divine Providence 61, 296)
479