Christian Meditation or Eastern Forms: What's the Difference?

There are many Eastern religions and philosophies, and not all of them practice meditation or believe in reincarnation. Also, many Westerners have either secularized meditative practices for health and wellness, or practice them in a “spiritual but not religious” form. However, many of the major Eastern religions / mystical philosophies do practice meditation based on their beliefs, and we can draw important distinctions between Eastern forms of meditation and Christianity’s.

Point of Distinction	Christian Meditation	Eastern Meditation
Foundations of Belief	Christian meditation is rooted in the Bible and Christian faith. This type of meditation may include meditating on Bible verses and stories, listening prayer, and reflecting on Jesus’ teachings. The goal is to deepen your relationship with God and gain wisdom and the characteristics of Christ.	Eastern forms of meditation are not a single religious or philosophical practice but span many religions and beliefs. But the ability to transcend the self and enter a state of oneness with the universe characterizes Eastern meditation. Concepts like karma, reincarnation, and enlightenment are also important in these belief systems.
Focus and Purpose	Christian meditation most often focuses on the Bible, such a word, verse, passage, symbol, or story. n on a specific biblical verse, prayer, or religious symbol. The purpose is to connect with the Lord to glorify Him, receive blessings, and become more like Christ.	There is a broad variety of religious and philosophical belief systems in the East, and not everybody practices meditation. Among the ones who do—including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism–the common core of meditation is using physical techniques to detach the mind from physical reality and achieve enlightenment, peace, and/or to break the cycle of rebirth for oneness with the universe.
Techniques	Christian meditative practices include contemplative prayer (imaging and imageless), and lectio divina. The emphasis is on engaging the mind and heart in the love and grace of the Lord, and internalizing Scripture.	Eastern religions vary in specific techniques, although secular adaptations may adopt all of them. Well-known techniques include mindfulness, mantra meditation, and breath awareness. A common aim is to quiet the mind and heighten awareness.
Self-View	Christian meditation is grounded by the self as a creation of God, atonement and spiritual growth through Jesus Christ, and aligning personal thoughts and actions with the will of God.	Eastern meditation with a religious basis often views the self as an illusion. The goal of meditation is to transcend ego-consciousness to a greater sense of interconnection with the universe.
Religious Context	Christian theology and Scripture are the bases of Christian meditation. Although some Christians practice Eastern forms of meditation, the two forms are quite different in foundation, meaning, and practice.	Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism are major Eastern philosophies that practice meditation in a religious context. However, many westerners have secularized Eastern meditation as a health and wellness practice and detached it from any religious or philosophical context.
Goal	The goal of Christian meditation is to grow more intimate with God, become more like Christ, and recognize and welcome the Lord’s will.	Meditation goals vary between Eastern belief systems. For example, the goal in Buddhism and Hinduism, both founded in India, is achieving a mystical state of perfection: Nirvana.