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elscarta · Oct 6, 2009, 05:48 AM

Some of my Christian friends violently object to any form of meditation, but specifically think that to "Clear one's mind" in meditation is opening yourself up to the influence of Satan.

On the other hand I find that "Clearing my mind" helps me hear what God has to say to me.

What do people think?

TUT317 · Oct 6, 2009, 06:26 AM

I don't know the answer to that but I do no that meditation before I play tennis helps my game.

TUT317 · Oct 6, 2009, 06:27 AM

Sorry, know

ETWolverine · Oct 6, 2009, 12:48 PM

I guess it would depend on how one defines "meditation".

Prayer can be a form of meditation. When one is concentrating one's entire self into making a connection between himself and G-d with prayer, and ones entire "intent" is on that prayer, that is a form of meditation.

Meditation has many forms, some religious, some non-religious in their nature.

I happen to meditate as a way of preparing to lead prayer services at my Synagogue. My meditation consists of breathing and trying to make a connection to G-d. I would not be surprised if there were Christians who did the same.

On the other hand, there are Buddhist, Shinto, Zen, and other religious/pseudo-religious forms of meditation that may require a certain mantra to be repeated that may be in direct violation of Christian teachings. These forms of meditation would probably be prohibited.

So again, it depends on what you mean by "meditation".

Elliot

cadillac59 · Oct 6, 2009, 02:35 PM

Originally Posted by elscarta

Some of my Christian friends violently object to any form of meditation, but specifically think that to "Clear one's mind" in meditation is opening yourself up to the influence of Satan.

On the other hand I find that "Clearing my mind" helps me hear what God has to say to me.

What do people think?

I think one of the most annoying things about religion is how it leads people to constantly ask questions like, "Is it okay for me to do XYZ?" It's the perpetual asking for approval of one's conduct from others that is so bothersome. Rules and regulations do not a spiritual experience make.

elscarta · Oct 6, 2009, 07:51 PM

Hi Elliot, as you can see from my original post it is the question of "Clearing one's mind" that I am specifically interested in. I understand that repeating a mantra that is not Christian would certainly be prohibited and have no problem with that.

cadillac59 · Oct 6, 2009, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by elscarta

Hi Elliot, as you can see from my original post it is the question of "Clearing one's mind" that I am specifically interested in. I understand that repeating a mantra that is not Christian would certainly be prohibited and have no problem with that.

It would be prohibited? Why? Is that all your religious dogma consists of, a set of do's and don'ts?

TUT317 · Oct 7, 2009, 01:49 AM

Hello cadillac59. I don't want to try and answer for someone else or simplify the issue too much but I think the answer o your question goes back to naturalism and non-naturalism in ethics. With religion there is no if's or but's the standards set are absolute. God's say on the matter is the last word.

With naturalistic ethics there is some room to manoeuver because naturalistic ethics consists of is ought statements. If some fact is the case then we ought to do such and such. Ought implies some degree of choice.

In this regard ethical standards can be seen as absolute or flexible.

This is an oversimplification and I don't want to offend anyone but it may help to see way people see things in this world differently.

TUT317 · Oct 7, 2009, 01:52 AM

Sorry for the typing errors but my connection still keeps dropping out. I am trying type too quickly for may skill level... TUT

xoxaprilwine · Oct 7, 2009, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by elscarta

Some of my Christian friends violently object to any form of meditation, but specifically think that to "Clear one's mind" in meditation is opening yourself up to the influence of Satan.

On the other hand I find that "Clearing my mind" helps me hear what God has to say to me.

What do people think?

It is clearing your mind. Jesus use to go to the Desert and I think he was there for a while and talk to God? Satan also approached him but Jesus refused his temptation. I don't get it? What would be so wrong to relax?

galveston · Oct 9, 2009, 04:18 PM

As Elliot pointed out, whether meditation is good or bad depends on what you mean.

If you meditate on the Word of God, that is a good thing, as it will make you wiser, for one thing.

If you practice New Age meditation, then you open yourself to evil spirits in the guise of "spirit guides" and that is definitely not something that you want to happen.

Fr_Chuck · Oct 9, 2009, 05:12 PM

I have christian friends who object that I pray with my hands above my head, and other that object that I often kneel when I pray, I have christian friends who object that I use incense in my service. I have christian friends who object that I expect church members to tithe 10 percent. I have church members object that I am OK with an occasional drink, I have christians object that I don't drink enough and not social enough at weddings and parties.

So? Point, if it not what you do as much as the reason behind it, and where God is in all of it

labiomental · Oct 9, 2009, 06:57 PM

How come did those friend told that it's not true

chronix719 · Oct 20, 2009, 10:01 AM

You pray to ask for what you want,
You meditate to find out how to get it...

You don't ask the devine for something, and the devine snapps fingers and it happens, but rather the chance to earn it is given to you,

As a christian, you should be worried for meditating, it is said that jesus meditated, so why shouldn't you. Our lord christ say to follow in his foot steps, one can take that to pray to him, or think ourside your box, and one can think I must trat others the same way as our lord christ, feed the poor that same, pray the same, and yes even meditate the same...

The pope does a fast for 40 days, in order to accomplish that great difficulty, the mine must be fixed on something bigger than the 'self'... in other words you must be in a meditation state to achieve this task... if our lord christ meditated, the pope meditated, then why can't you?. think about it... follow your intuition, there is a reason you feel like meditating, not everything is bad, and not everything is good, people screem the devine's name when they are scared, imagine how much more powerful it is when you are relaxed, and you say the devine's name with love and passion..

sdebbad · Feb 16, 2010, 03:41 AM

I think the questioner meant, if Mantra Meditation OK as per Christianity..

Can you define Christianity? I would say.. Love for God... the greatest commandment(not suggestion btw) as taught by Jesus.

Do you think by repeating the Names of God, we can achieve love for God? Absolutely...

Names of God and God Himself are one and the same supreme being.

Chanting the name of God or Mantra Meditation upon the Name/Names of God can truly lead to Love for God.

After all, what is the purpose of life, but to find out "Who God Is And to Love Him"

Focus on God not of the label "Christianity"