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Meditation
Author Jim Downing, a Navigator for more that 60 years, presents three ways believers can share more deeply in the life of Christ.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1977
32 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Jim Downing
6 booksRetired Navy Lt. Jim Downing was America’s second oldest known survivor of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. He was also a member of The Navigators, a Christian ministry established in 1933. Jim wrote three books including his biography in 2016, The Other Side of Infamy. The book earned him a Guinness World Record as the oldest male author, having completed the book at age 102.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
March 18, 2019
I’ve just reread this short little book for at least the third time. Good refreshing reminders and conviction!
May 24, 2024
Overall idea and review:
The idea is to root ourselves more deeply with God in our mind (through meditation), affections (through communion), and will (through obedience). That right there is worth the book. But also some great insights especially on meditations and communion (through the temple template). Not a great read overall—a lot of illustrations that I thought weren’t the most helpful. But some great insights. Easily 5 stars because of the “favorites” below and how applicable they are.
Favorite Ideas:
- The threefold idea of rooting ourselves more deeply with God in our mind (through meditation), affections (through communion), and will (through obedience
- Concerning meditation, he’s very intense about making the word of God your last thought (taking advantage of thinking of God in night), and then in the am, and during the day. This was helpful and applicable.
- “Begin your quiet time about 5 minutes before dropping off to sleep” (50)
- His concept of the temple being a template of the heaven, and then us using it in our communing/prayer, was excellent. He has like 12 things, when in reality, it think it should be: 1) The gate (thanksgiving for the fact that God is approachable and real). 2) The altar (reminding us of the cross alone). 3) The basin (to wash, confess). Entering into holy place and seeing: 4) The menorah (God is light, especially, Spirit). 5) Bread (he provides in many ways). 6) Incense (requests, prayers). 7) Into the holy of holies: adoration, awe, trust, joy, etc. As for Downing, he puts a bunch into the Holy of Holies, which is fine but very hard to remember. I think making it 7 is neater and more applicable
General Notes:
- “HWLW” (His Word Last Word) is an interesting idea. Love the idea of making God’s word last thing of the day, and carrying whatever it is into the next. Too often days seem so distinct, that connects them, with God as well.
Things I Didn’t Particularly Like:
- Again, a lot of illustrations. But not a big deal
Key Applications/Takeaways for My Life:
- Make his word the last word.
- Think of mind (meditation), affections (communion), and will (obedience). I so often throughout my day struggle especially with 1 of those (I’m not thinking well, feeling right, not doing.)
- The temple template, and my taking of it as 7 steps, is amazing for prayer.
The idea is to root ourselves more deeply with God in our mind (through meditation), affections (through communion), and will (through obedience). That right there is worth the book. But also some great insights especially on meditations and communion (through the temple template). Not a great read overall—a lot of illustrations that I thought weren’t the most helpful. But some great insights. Easily 5 stars because of the “favorites” below and how applicable they are.
Favorite Ideas:
- The threefold idea of rooting ourselves more deeply with God in our mind (through meditation), affections (through communion), and will (through obedience
- Concerning meditation, he’s very intense about making the word of God your last thought (taking advantage of thinking of God in night), and then in the am, and during the day. This was helpful and applicable.
- “Begin your quiet time about 5 minutes before dropping off to sleep” (50)
- His concept of the temple being a template of the heaven, and then us using it in our communing/prayer, was excellent. He has like 12 things, when in reality, it think it should be: 1) The gate (thanksgiving for the fact that God is approachable and real). 2) The altar (reminding us of the cross alone). 3) The basin (to wash, confess). Entering into holy place and seeing: 4) The menorah (God is light, especially, Spirit). 5) Bread (he provides in many ways). 6) Incense (requests, prayers). 7) Into the holy of holies: adoration, awe, trust, joy, etc. As for Downing, he puts a bunch into the Holy of Holies, which is fine but very hard to remember. I think making it 7 is neater and more applicable
General Notes:
- “HWLW” (His Word Last Word) is an interesting idea. Love the idea of making God’s word last thing of the day, and carrying whatever it is into the next. Too often days seem so distinct, that connects them, with God as well.
Things I Didn’t Particularly Like:
- Again, a lot of illustrations. But not a big deal
Key Applications/Takeaways for My Life:
- Make his word the last word.
- Think of mind (meditation), affections (communion), and will (obedience). I so often throughout my day struggle especially with 1 of those (I’m not thinking well, feeling right, not doing.)
- The temple template, and my taking of it as 7 steps, is amazing for prayer.
February 27, 2018
I read this book again when I learned Jim Downing had died earlier this month at the age of 104. As one of the original members of the Navigators I hold Downing in the highest regard.
I had forgotten what a gem this book is. Though short and simple in its message it is nevertheless full of wisdom and practicality as I have found most Navigator material to be. The book begins with a description of a fruit-bearing Christian, "A fruit-bearing Christian has learned how to thrust the taproot of his soul into contact with the divine resources and draw from God the nourishment needed regardless of time, place or circumstances." Downing then covers topics such as The mind and meditation, How to get started in meditation, The affections and communion, How to have communion with God, and The will in choosing and obedience. His short conclusion is the perfect ending, "In unplanned circumstances we generally respond to the voice we have cultivated most diligently.....the most treacherous of the competing voices is that of self. When we feed our egos on self-pity, blame, criticism of others and in choosing to indulge in what the Church Fathers called the seven deadly sins.....we strengthen the voices that may well over power the Spirit's voice in a time of crisis. These voices are not necessarily silenced by a lifted hand in a meeting, throwing a fagot on the fire at camp or by the finality of a single decision. Rather they are starved into insensibility by disuse. As we exercise the positive, the negative diminishes in strength. So as we nourish our souls in meditation, communion and right choices and obeying, we respond to Christ and are strengthening our sensitivities to hear the inner voice of God."
I had forgotten what a gem this book is. Though short and simple in its message it is nevertheless full of wisdom and practicality as I have found most Navigator material to be. The book begins with a description of a fruit-bearing Christian, "A fruit-bearing Christian has learned how to thrust the taproot of his soul into contact with the divine resources and draw from God the nourishment needed regardless of time, place or circumstances." Downing then covers topics such as The mind and meditation, How to get started in meditation, The affections and communion, How to have communion with God, and The will in choosing and obedience. His short conclusion is the perfect ending, "In unplanned circumstances we generally respond to the voice we have cultivated most diligently.....the most treacherous of the competing voices is that of self. When we feed our egos on self-pity, blame, criticism of others and in choosing to indulge in what the Church Fathers called the seven deadly sins.....we strengthen the voices that may well over power the Spirit's voice in a time of crisis. These voices are not necessarily silenced by a lifted hand in a meeting, throwing a fagot on the fire at camp or by the finality of a single decision. Rather they are starved into insensibility by disuse. As we exercise the positive, the negative diminishes in strength. So as we nourish our souls in meditation, communion and right choices and obeying, we respond to Christ and are strengthening our sensitivities to hear the inner voice of God."
April 18, 2022
Good ideas and a unique perspective, especially on Biblical meditation. He is a little rigid with his way of doing things but his approach can easily be adapted to make it less rigid. Being such a small book (pocket sized and around 100pgs) he is very to-the-point and direct with what he wanted to say and I found it refreshing to read a book with less fluff than we give them these days. I think for that reason by itself it is more than worth reading; 100pgs small of direct instruction and guidance and no time wasted on long back stories or extra stuff. Overall a good book and one I will recommend for people hoping to take scripture meditation up a level.
April 18, 2022
I pulled this short Navigators book off my shelf randomly. Some of it feels a little formulaic, but I think the author’s intention was to tell about what works for him. The most intriguing part for me is his insistence on the last five minutes of the day spent in scripture and picking out one thought to meditate or ruminate on as you fall asleep. Then meditate on it again if you awaken during the night and then again in the morning and throughout the next day. This might become a life changing habit for me. We’ll see. But the first night and half day are going well. 😁
August 10, 2019
Practical
Very practical way of meditating on God’s word. The author takes a different approach than most, which I really enjoyed. At times we don’t know where to start or how to develop a game plan for meditating on the Bible that is sustainable over time. You’ll find how in the book as well as benefits of meditating.
Well worth the read. Better to put into practice.
Very practical way of meditating on God’s word. The author takes a different approach than most, which I really enjoyed. At times we don’t know where to start or how to develop a game plan for meditating on the Bible that is sustainable over time. You’ll find how in the book as well as benefits of meditating.
Well worth the read. Better to put into practice.
June 14, 2018
Small, yet mighty. I found some suggestions for making Scripture central in my life that seem life changing. At once profound and practical, this book was a true gift in this stage of my spiritual life.
February 25, 2021
Excellent, excellent, excellent little book. I'm so glad I finally picked up this resource and I read it. I will come back to it again, but the main thoughts are so practical, I can remember and utilize them.
May 25, 2025
I really like this book, and I like the points he makes about thanking God and praising Him. However, I think the author misses a huge point: the definition of the Hebrew word for "meditation." It means to utter aloud, as in speak out loud the verses of the Bible.
my rating: 8
my rating: 8
July 19, 2018
Life Changing!
January 23, 2018
What a short and influential read to stir up the monotony that your spiritual life can end up being.
July 30, 2020
Some good practical suggestions.
April 24, 2009
It was a short and concise read. I liked the idea that Downing talks about called His Word Last Word. I thought his ideas were helpful but not necessarily deep or insightful.
Poignant Quotes:
We need to make sure that the last thought in our mind as the day ends is a portion of God's Word.
When we are talking to God about things that are real to Him and real to us, time stands still.
time is relative to enjoyment
As we conclude our time alone with God, the final step is to select the most refreshing part of our time of communion and fix it so firmly in our minds and affections that we will remember it throughout the day.
The evolution of temptation usually follows this pattern: first, suggestion, second consideration and third, decision.
Poignant Quotes:
We need to make sure that the last thought in our mind as the day ends is a portion of God's Word.
When we are talking to God about things that are real to Him and real to us, time stands still.
time is relative to enjoyment
As we conclude our time alone with God, the final step is to select the most refreshing part of our time of communion and fix it so firmly in our minds and affections that we will remember it throughout the day.
The evolution of temptation usually follows this pattern: first, suggestion, second consideration and third, decision.
November 7, 2012
A friend gave this to me, and it had a profound impact on my thinking. The book covers three ways in which disciples of Jesus Christ can better follow Jesus. 1) Through the mind in meditation; 2) through the affections in communion; and, 3) through the will in choosing and obeying.
The book has impacted my view of concentrating on things from scripture as I drift off to sleep rather than whatever was on the late night news program, or other distractions we face. The book is a quick read, so get it and read a short chapter each day. You will not regret it.
The book has impacted my view of concentrating on things from scripture as I drift off to sleep rather than whatever was on the late night news program, or other distractions we face. The book is a quick read, so get it and read a short chapter each day. You will not regret it.
May 22, 2012
A succinct and practical introduction and guide to building habits of meditation into your life. At times the book can come across a little heavy on the "doing and working," but as a whole there is much to be commended.
October 4, 2024
An excellent practical book about daily faith. The only time l've ever heard advice about how to literally meditate on God's word day and night. Deserves to be read by anyone serious about their faith.
August 22, 2009
learning from a wise man.
August 27, 2010
basic and brief...maybe what instructions on meditation should be?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews