I realized that I am mixing up the reflective thought form of meditating with the spiritual/magic/enlightened-state form of meditating, so I looked up the definition. I think in the future, I'll avoid the word meditate except when referring to the magical form. For other use, I'll use contemplate and reflect for that.
Here's parts of the definition, and I'll put the reflective thought stuff in blue and the magic stuff in purple.
From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meditate
Here's parts of the definition, and I'll put the reflective thought stuff in blue and the magic stuff in purple.
From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/meditate
Quote:–verb (used without object)
1.to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.
2.to engage in transcendental meditation, devout religious contemplation, or quiescent spiritual introspection.
–verb (used with object)
3.to consider as something to be done or effected; intend; purpose: to meditate revenge.
Origin:
1550–60; < L meditātus, ptp. of meditārī to meditate, contemplate, plan
[...]
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Quote:v. tr.
1.To reflect on; contemplate.
2.To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter.
v. intr.
1.
a.Buddhism & Hinduism To train, calm, or empty the mind, often by achieving an altered state, as by focusing on a single object.
b.To engage in devotional contemplation, especially prayer.
2.To think or reflect, especially in a calm and deliberate manner.
[Latin meditārī, meditāt-; see med- in Indo-European roots.]
med'i·ta'tor n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
