My grandfather, a firm Christian, believes Meditation is harmful spiritually. I have heard this opinion stated elsewhere as well, but I don't agree.
Would any Christians (or other religious-minded people) out there like to tell me their beliefs on the subject? I'm curious about the reasons behind this distrust of what is to me an entirely natural and helpful, aid in connecting and communing with the Supreme One.
Thanks,
also, if you''re just interested in criticizing people's beliefs and have no interest in real debate, please post elsewhere.
Could be because they are afraid while you're meditating you're opening your mind to all sorts of things and who knows, you might just get consumed by the devil instead of communing with God. Afterall, Christianity has a load of things that one should not do, depending on how strict you are as a Christian. (And also which kind of Christianity you believe in - Anglican/Catholic) So there could be multiple reasons.
AFAIK meditation has it's roots in eastern religions, especially in hinduism and (correct me if I'm wrong) in Buddhism. Same as Yoga, and that's why christian churches bash Yoga.
It's like being a christian but praying to Thor. Even though christianity already has LOADS of pagan-related stuff (like rituals, beliefs etc.) but they don't talk about it, and it was absorbed many years ago, while meditation and Yoga are pretty new and 'alien'.
Well, I should be fair to Christianity here and say that I don't believe the assumption is correct.
Many Christians (particularly Catholics) withdraw from society for a period of time - they call it a retreat during which time they will meditate, pray and generally try to find 'spiritual peace'. This is a long-standing tradition within Christianity.
Now, you may believe that praying and meditation are different. Well, I guess that depends on your definition of meditation - there are different understandings of that word. I use what I would call a meditation technique quite often to relax. There is nothing particularly spiritual about it - I simply use a focus (in my case simply breathing) to clear the mind of whirling thoughts, and then use another focus (in my case I 'think about' each part of my body, starting with the feet and moving up) to relax the body.
Some people would use a mystic interpretation of this type of exercise - moving/centring the chi, focussing the will/spirit, allowing the spirit of Christ to enter - or whatever. Others, like me, are more pragmatic and just regard it as a useful mental exercise.
There is nothing that I know of in Christianity that would forbid meditation in the sense of clearing the mind - in fact that is positively encouraged. Meditation using a mantra (or chant) is also found within Christianity ;-
http://www.wccm.org/home.asp?pagestyle=home In some branches of Christianity, meditation is encouraged. It really depends on what kind of meditation though.
If you are just trying to blank your mind and relax, that's great, but if you're using some chant that was originally part of a different religion (worshiping other gods) or trying for some strange effect like out of body experiences (divination), they would disapprove.
Why chant when one meditates? XD I feel that would just cause someone to drop out of the meditation state, cause they forgot what to chant ( Just kidding ). I've never tried meditating nor yoga though, not sure what it can do to a person.
Actually, the Christian Bible states many time TO meditate. Meditation is many things, meditation on the Word (eg: praying and reading the Bible), meditation in the modern sense (eg: relaxing and opening your mind, freeing it of thought and bias).
heres a list of references to meditation in the Bible. Not too many, but it is mentioned and none of it is negative. http://www.biblegateway.com/keyword/?search=meditate&searchtype=all&version1=9&spanbegin=1&spanend=73 Define meditation.
As the previous post states the Bible says it is profitable to meditate on the Word of God.
As for the relative of the original poster who badmouthed meditation, he probably had in mind the eastern sense of the word. His intent was probably to protect against what he thought were the harmful influences of false teachings.
This is a perfect example where standing back from an issue and thinking can come in handy, protecting against problems that are really not problems.
Thanks everyone for your responses. The Christian meditation society and biblical references were especially helpful.
Sounds like an opinion to me... If anything christianity encourages meditation. Since in a small way prayer is meditation.
Ah indeed, prayer is a form of meditation haha.
| peaceupnorth wrote: |
[size=18]My grandfather, a firm Christian, believes Meditation is harmful spiritually. I have heard this opinion stated elsewhere as well, but I don't agree.
|
I find this interesting. Why would a Christian say that meditation is bad? "Meditation" for the Christian is similar to what Mary did: "and Mary kept all these words (in other translations, "things"), carefully sifting them in her heart" (Luke 2:19). In the Old Testament, especially in psalm 1, meditation is the work of the Lord's devotee (= the righteous)
| Quote: |
the law of the LORD is their pleasant commitment;
God's law they study day and night.
|
The Jew, even today, reads the Law softly pronouncing the words. This is their "hagah", meditation. They pronounce the words they read because they must hear the words, not just see them. The Catholic lectio divina continues this practice.Hindus believe that meditation is only a technique. It gives you a calm concentrated mind- with which you can approach any form or aspect of God- you could turn your contemplation to Christ or Allah or whatever.. Meditation only teaches us how to shut out the world of senses and turn within- to commune with the core of our religious life.. In fact, meditation in one form or the other is found in all major religions.. There is nothing Hindu about it..
isn't the objective of meditation simply to clear the mind and think of nothing???
or are you referring to religious meditation (which i think is the same)?
iono.
modern christians and the old ones.... of course as someone wrong -> prayeesessions are meditation, but with a modification; meditiation are 2 way comm
| Jaan wrote: |
isn't the objective of meditation simply to clear the mind and think of nothing???
or are you referring to religious meditation (which i think is the same)?
iono. |
that is not Christian meditation. The purpose of Christian meditation is not clearing the mind but having heart that is more and more fixed on Christ.Prayer (which usually involves some silent time as well) is a form of meditation. To turn your back to the world and focus on God. However, what your grandfather means (i think) is meditaition in the form of : let's clear my mind and be open to anything. Although many christians don't want to think of it there are also "bad influences" able to communicate with you. It not only says so in the bible but there are literally millions of examples through the years of peopel being "under the influence of something". I am being carefull here. So your grandfather is probably thinking about that. Why not remond him that prayer and silent time are forms of meditation and the Jesus himself went into the desert and meditated...
| peaceupnorth wrote: |
My grandfather, a firm Christian, believes Meditation is harmful spiritually. I have heard this opinion stated elsewhere as well, but I don't agree.
Would any Christians (or other religious-minded people) out there like to tell me their beliefs on the subject? I'm curious about the reasons behind this distrust of what is to me an entirely natural and helpful, aid in connecting and communing with the Supreme One.[/size]
Thanks,
also, if you''re just interested in criticizing people's beliefs and have no interest in real debate, please post elsewhere. |
Unlike others here, I am not surprised by your question. Maybe because I grew up in a conservative area, I do remember fundamentalist Christian warnings against yoga and meditation (the Eastern variety). Something called the Southern Baptist Convention has been officially against it. In terms of their stated reasons, I recall they saw it as a first step toward getting involved in the New Age movement, which they see as unChristian, satanic, pagan, heathen. From my point of view, they were just being puritanical, close-minded, and defensive against anything new that might take away their hold on their followers.
From here http://www.christianresearchservice.com/LifeWayYoga.htm
| Quote: |
For decades, solid, Bible-based Christian apologists and cult-evangelists have warned the body of Christ about Yoga and the New Age Movement. God's word, the Bible, warns about false teachers, worldly philosophies, strange doctrines, and traditions of men, and commands Christians to avoid them. |
and http://www.christianresearchservice.com/LifeWayYoga2.htm
| Quote: |
"Meditative systems that clear the heart but cannot refill it with substance have no power. In Eastern religions, many devotees of yoga cleanse their minds but leave them empty. Soon their minds refill with the same sort of congestion they had just swept away. Inwardness seeks someone to preside over the clean and the quiet" |
and
| Quote: |
| ...promotion of Yoga, coupled with LifeWay's compromise, has the potential to mislead and deceive untold numbers of immature Christians worldwide. When the innocent and the unwary are encouraged to participate in pagan practices, the chances of their being seduced into paganism increases with each passing moment. |
So that goes toward answering one of your questions.
In terms of your other question, I believe yoga and meditation (as long as both are done in a very positive and healthy way, with a teacher who is a good person) helps in achieving balance and serenity. And in a funny way the fundamentalists above could know what they are doing in opposing it, because balance and serenity helps one to avoid dogmatic beliefs like theirs.Wow thanks for that... that really helps me understand the fearful and closed mind-set that is the cause for this misunderstanding...
What I don't understand is how people can call themselves followers of Jesus (who associated with Gentiles, Samaritans, prostitutes and other outsiders), and yet act in a way completely opposite from him... "Love your neighbour," not "fear, slander and shun your neighbour".... "whatever you do unto the least of my brothers you do unto me."
| handfleisch wrote: |
In terms of your other question, I believe yoga and meditation (as long as both are done in a very positive and healthy way, with a teacher who is a good person) helps in achieving balance and serenity. And in a funny way the fundamentalists above could know what they are doing in opposing it, because balance and serenity helps one to avoid dogmatic beliefs like theirs. |
Well said! PeaceUpNorth, thank you very much for your kind words and I am glad this helped you. It's great you understand so much about the New Testament, most people don't understand the "Good Samaritan" story, that a Samaritan was a hated nationality at the time.
Anyway I look forward to any other questions you might have or discussions you might start.
