I recently began using a head band made by a company called Muse. It measures brain waves and heart rate. It is a tool to help training one’s self to get into a relaxed state through meditation. Throughout my “christian” life, I have heard it said that meditation can be dangerous. It could open one up to demonic forces and deception. However, I cannot think of another way to feel a tangible connection to God. Some might say, you don’t need to feel anything, just have faith. I don’t think that’s what Jesus was doing.

He walked with absolute assurance that he was in contact with His Father. I don’t think all that time He spent in prayer was spent muttering mindless words begging God. That’s what normally happens when we pray. I believe that He was having a much deeper more tangible connection than that. Somehow, He was having a very real experience of God’s presence. He was experiencing God’s guidance, and love as the only begotten Son of God.

I believe we can experience God’s presence in the same way. As sons of God ourselves, shouldn’t we be able to have those same experiences. Jesus says “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17;21). If that is the truth, there has to be some tangible experience of that reality.

Years ago, I was going through tremendous emotional distress. I didn’t know how to pray or what to pray. I was overwhelmed. All I could do was sit still (paralyzed) in my car before going in to work, close my eyes and be quiet. As I did for a time, I noticed that there was a sense of calmness in me. I could sense a presence. I started doing it every day. It was the only way I could quiet my mind, and bring a few moments of peace to my body. I may have done something foolish, or even died had I not discovered this quiet place within me.

I realize now that I had found my way into Gods peace, his comforting presence. I didn’t have to know what or how to pray. I could simply be there with him, and it saved me. He knew what I needed much better than I did. I didn’t have to say anything. Eventually in that quietness, I would hear Him speak. It was always comforting words reassuring me, instructing me in what to do. My situation didn’t change, but I did. Eventually, I began to walk and live in that peace. It was not a quick process by any means. However, I knew I had found something real and tangible. I felt better. I was no longer a danger to others or my self. Finding Him in me is my greatest discovery in this life.

Every now and then, I forget that I can go to that place. However, since my daughter got sent to the Persian Gulf with the Navy for war, I have remembered that I can find peace with me, inside where the kingdom of god exists. I can go there any time and rest in my Father’s presence, I don’t have to know how to pray, or what to pray. I can just be there and let him comfort me and be my Father.