No doubt your remarks are honest, but... i believe a bit naive and factually incorrect.
Your statement that the type of meditation being advocated in this article is somehow “faith neutral.” On what basis do you make that statement?
Second, studying the meaning of the Hebrew word for “meditate,” as seen in Psalms 1 and 2, is never used to describe an Eastern-style, mind-blanking type of meditation.
Rather, it conveys an active focus of one’s mental power, perhaps much like one does when trying to cram for an exam.
This move by the Army and Marines is another well-intentioned, misguided, post-Christian, progressive idea.
In the old days, Soldiers were encouraged to read the Bible and pray. Seemed to work for the likes of George Washington, Robert E. Lee, and Stonewall Jackson. Even Douglas MacArthur read the Bible daily — though, to be fair, he was not a church-goer.
There is no such thing as a “mind-blanking type of meditation.” If you think Jesus wouldn’t approve of you sitting quietly and concentrating on one thing for 20 minutes a day don’t do it but that’s all this meditation is.
It’s faith neutral in the same manner that exercises to improve concentration are.
Awareness meditation is, in essences, concentrating on the present moment, removing the narrative mind that can distract our attention. It’s like a concentration skill in large measure. I still use it on occasion both before prayer and in bed if I’m having trouble sleeping due to my mind not shutting up. :)
The uses of the words meditation and contemplation are, basically, reversed in East and Western use.
thanks for your reply.