What is Soaking?

In some christian circles there is a term known as 'soaking'. Check out this website that has a lighthearted duck called Phil that will talk you through the basics! Phil the Super Soaker 

 'Soaking Music' has a meditative flavour, and some christians feel a bit uncomfortable with this because it seems like it's New Age or Paganistic.

What I understand/experience soaking to be, is resting in God. I find that in this culture I feel the pressure to be so busy doing so much stuff, that I find it hard to stop. I've discovered soaking, resting, chilling with my heavenly Father to be neccesary for my sanity! It is, as it were, pretty much like what is known in the wider christian world as 'quiet time'. 'Quiet Time' being a time set aside for stopping and praying, reading the bible, listening to what God has to say and remembering afresh what Jesus has done for us. Soaking, as I comprehend it, is essentially the same thing, with perhaps more of an emphasis on receiving from God rather than talking at Him, if that makes sense! So often we can bring requests and shopping lists to God and just don't turn our listening ears on. It depends where you're at I suppose, on whether it's helpful for you or not. It may not be for everyone, but I certainly find it helpful.

I believe it's about balance too.
For example, if I'm listening to alot of theologically wordy worship songs, that's great, but sometimes it feels like i'm not really connecting with God but hearing a sung sermon. Surely praise should be singing to God rather than just about Him? On the other hand, if all the songs I hear are songs that don't have any mention of Jesus or any theological truth, even if they're creative and sound nice, then that can be very unhelpful too!

So, it's important to be biblical in song, but it's good to be creative. I mean, in the bible it says 'Sing to the LORD a new song' and 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted.'

This verse from the first book to the Corinthians, addressing the subject of tongues, aptly describes what I mean by a balance of the theological and creative/spiritual.
[1 Cor 14v15]
"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will also sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also"