meditation question..

[ThePurpleMan]

kinda wierd and might be stupid but i dont know the answer... is meditation in anyway agiasnt or frowned appon by christianity.. because i am a christian but i have found that meditating b4 i go to bed is alot easier than drinking half a bottle of nyquill.. or smoken a bowl

[ate]

You should decide for yourself what is right and wrong, based upon the results you percieve and experiene.

[Jaycub]

Nah, it's not looked down upon. All meditating is is looking inside yourself and concentrating on an idea or feeling, clearing your mind etc. It's only mystical if you make it mystical.

Prayer = Meditation = Prayer

[SmokingPlatypus]

I don't see how it could be to be honest. But forget what Christianity says. If you enjoy it and it helps you get to sleep, who the fuck can tell you that it's wrong?

[bhouncy]

found this on wiki...

"Christian meditation is a form of quiet (but not necessarily silent) contemplation often associated with prayer or scripture study. It is rooted in the Bible, which directs its readers to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God commands his people to meditate on his word day and night to instill obedience. The psalmist says that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2). The Bible mentions meditate or meditation twenty times."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_meditation

[mrdevious]

Nah, it's not looked down upon. All meditating is is looking inside yourself and concentrating on an idea or feeling, clearing your mind etc. It's only mystical if you make it mystical.



Not necessarily, but you seem to have a good foundation in the practice you've been using. Contemplative meditation, including contemplation of the nature of self, is one common form of meditation, but that's not "all meditation is". You may want to try conscious awareness meditation as well, in which you focus all your awareness on your surroundings and sensory intake. The purpose is to take your minds focus off the ego, and on to your surrounding world, diminishing the barriers your mind creates between "self" and the environment which is percieved as "not self". This seems to be a core section of taoist teachings, but is popular amoung buddhist practitioners as well.

You may also want to try another type of meditation. I don't know if this has a particular name, but the goal is the attainment of a perfect, clear, unfetered perception of the true nature of self. The goal is also to let go of the ego and sense of separation from the rest of the world, but this method could be considered a little more "psychadelic", for lack of a better word. To do this, you would concentrate on your breat and only your breath (as I'm sure you've already tried). Then once you have achieved a tranquill state of mind, you bring your mind to a point where only awareness exists. You lose all sense of physical or mental form, and by doing this tap into your deepest levels of consciousness, and highest level of mental awakeness (I'm just going to make up the word "awakeness" for convenience :p ) .

anywhoo, I know there's not a whole lot of direction as to how you could accomplish these states, but I figured you already have enough experience to know how to find these yourself. These are more just to give you an idea of some other goals for different mental perspectives and strengths. oh and on the topic of goals, you'll want to let go of the concept that you have a goal to accomplish, as this can be the biggest hinderance on most meditators. Simply do what you know needs to be done.

Regarding your original post, no I don't think it would go against christianity. there are actually sects of christian-buddhists in north america. and besides, what better way to achieve a consciousness close to that of god? I'm sure god would want people to understand such a peacefull form of consciousness so as to understand his commandments in a clearer light. Could it not be argued that Jesus, a very enlightened being by the sounds of it, would have percieved the world in such a way similar to meditation?

Best of luck to you in your practice, I hope you find your peace.

[Jaycub]

Not necessarily, but you seem to have a good foundation in the practice you've been using. Contemplative meditation, including contemplation of the nature of self, is one common form of meditation, but that's not "all meditation is". You may want to try conscious awareness meditation as well, in which you focus all your awareness on your surroundings and sensory intake. The purpose is to take your minds focus off the ego, and on to your surrounding world, diminishing the barriers your mind creates between "self" and the environment which is percieved as "not self". This seems to be a core section of taoist teachings, but is popular amoung buddhist practitioners as well.

You may also want to try another type of meditation. I don't know if this has a particular name, but the goal is the attainment of a perfect, clear, unfetered perception of the true nature of self. The goal is also to let go of the ego and sense of separation from the rest of the world, but this method could be considered a little more "psychadelic", for lack of a better word. To do this, you would concentrate on your breat and only your breath (as I'm sure you've already tried). Then once you have achieved a tranquill state of mind, you bring your mind to a point where only awareness exists. You lose all sense of physical or mental form, and by doing this tap into your deepest levels of consciousness, and highest level of mental awakeness (I'm just going to make up the word "awakeness" for convenience :p ) .

anywhoo, I know there's not a whole lot of direction as to how you could accomplish these states, but I figured you already have enough experience to know how to find these yourself. These are more just to give you an idea of some other goals for different mental perspectives and strengths. oh and on the topic of goals, you'll want to let go of the concept that you have a goal to accomplish, as this can be the biggest hinderance on most meditators. Simply do what you know needs to be done.

Regarding your original post, no I don't think it would go against christianity. there are actually sects of christian-buddhists in north america. and besides, what better way to achieve a consciousness close to that of god? I'm sure god would want people to understand such a peacefull form of consciousness so as to understand his commandments in a clearer light. Could it not be argued that Jesus, a very enlightened being by the sounds of it, would have percieved the world in such a way similar to meditation?

Best of luck to you in your practice, I hope you find your peace.

I was just giving a basic summary, that of which I assumed he would be most responsive to. Trust me, I do not underestimate meditation, it's effects, or the many different ways it works :)

[Hamlet]

It depends on your flavor of Christianity and Meditation. Protestant Fundamentalists would give it a thumbs down if you're practicing Transcendental Meditation complete with the Indian Mantra n' such. They look at it as practicing a heretic religion other than theirs. I have a childhood friend who grew up to be a sleezy TV preacher and he informed me that the Mantra words are actually the names of Tibetian Demons...:)

I've also heard grave warnings about blanking your mind as this allows demons to enter.

This post for is for information purposes only and has no intention of discouraging meditation. Introspection is what makes a human being worth knowing in my book.

[Captain Hanks]

kinda wierd and might be stupid but i dont know the answer... is meditation in anyway agiasnt or frowned appon by christianity.. because i am a christian but i have found that meditating b4 i go to bed is alot easier than drinking half a bottle of nyquill.. or smoken a bowl

Depends what your meditating on.:rasta:

[kemikal1]

As an addition to MRDEVIOUS's comment I will add a link to a site where you can download a brainwave generator programme (free) and it helps ppl to meditate, sleep, think or just CHILL.
I have it on my pc and it helps in so many different ways.
Here goes: http://dl.winsite.com/bin/Info?2529

Hope it works.

P.S It does work with win XP also

[Binzhoubum]

BUDDHISM IN OUR DAILY LIFE

China Academic Lectures
Sponsored by
China Institute in America, N.Y. USA

By Dr. C. T. Shen

LECTURE 1:

THE CONCEPT OF BIRTH AND DEATH

In the Christian Bible, in the Book of John, Chapter XVI, Verse
12, Jesus Christ tells his disciples, "I have yet many things to say
unto ye, but ye cannot bear them now." That is to say, what Christ did
teach his disciples was only a small part of what he knew, because the
level of understanding of his disciples at that time was such that
they could only absorb so much. Unfortunately, Jesus died at the age
of 33. Time did not allow him
to give his disciples a complete course of teaching. What Christ knew
and did not say remains an unanswerable question.
On the other hand, Buddha lived for 80 years. He had 45 full
years from the time of his enlightenment to teach his disciples: long
enough to gradually lead his disciples to learn and practice various
stages of teaching, from a self-centered liberation from human
suffering to the most profound supramundane doctrine.
If we assume that these founders of two of the greatest religions
on earth were both persons possessed of profound wisdom, then many
teachings expounded by Buddha could be those which Christ knew but did
not have time to teach.
With this view in mind, it seems to me that the study of Buddhism
by Christians can have a special significance, that is, the search for
what Christ knew but did not say.
The Buddhist concept of birth and death could be a good example
of just such an area of thought. That is why I have said these few
words first.



:smokin:

[SpiritLevel]

I agree with ate (http://boards.cannabis.com/member.php?u=52462). I chat bout various styles of meditation to my christian pals and they don't by it. They'd rather tell me that the prefer to do their god's will *>shruggs<*. I learn, so called, gods' will by clearing my head of propaganda via silent meditation, then I find I can connect to anything and everything and through enlightenment I live a peaceful life. Happy Dayz

[MelT]

Hi Binz. I'd have to disagree with the writer's text on what Buddhism is and any relationship our views might have with those of christianity, especially birth and death. IF JC had truly understood and learned anything at all from Buddhism then he wouldn't have said anything like he did. Buddhism from the outside might seem to be purely about morality and goodness, but that's not what it's main focus is. Core to our beliefs are a particular understanding of the nature of reality, which doesn't include the idea of a personal soul, or a god.

MelT

[Jaycub]

Core to our beliefs are a particular understanding of the nature of reality, which doesn't include the idea of a personal soul, or a god.

I agree completely! :thumbsup:


IF JC had truly understood and learned anything at all from Buddhism then he wouldn't have said anything like he did.

What do you mean? From what I've read of direct quotes from Jesus, he was very Buddhist in philosophy (well, mostly what I've read was from the Gnostic texts, so my p.o.v. may be skewed). Granted I'm not a Biblical scholar; do you have any examples of quotes that aren't in alignment with Buddhism?

[MelT]

Hi Jayclub.:)

Originally Posted by MelT
IF JC had truly understood and learned anything at all from Buddhism then he wouldn't have said anything like he did.


Jayclub: What do you mean? From what I've read of direct quotes from Jesus, he was very Buddhist in philosophy (well, mostly what I've read was from the Gnostic texts, so my p.o.v. may be skewed). Granted I'm not a Biblical scholar; do you have any examples of quotes that aren't in alignment with Buddhism?

I understand you're question. I think my statement wasn't very clear. As I said, Buddhism isn't just about being say, moral or non-aggressive. If we just compare our mutual stances on morality then of course Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc, will ALL have much in common. If JC inded learned the idea of 'goodness' from anywhere except the OT scriptures, then it could just as easily been from Hinduism as Buddhism. But you can't take Buddhist morality as an ideal in isolation, as being somehow representative of us. It isn't Buddhism, just our moral code, not our beliefs.

I know there are Christian-Buddhist groups, but the Buddhism they teach is a very, very modified version of true Buddhism. Obviously, as there has hitherto been no form of Buddhism with a belief in a god or a soul it would have to be:) Almost any religion can be adapted to merge with another, but Christianity and Buddhism are at odds at such a core level, despite their shared views on conduct, they're beyond resolution.

Interesting subject though isn't it?:)

MelT

[Oneironaut]

I agree completely! :thumbsup:



What do you mean? From what I've read of direct quotes from Jesus, he was very Buddhist in philosophy (well, mostly what I've read was from the Gnostic texts, so my p.o.v. may be skewed). Granted I'm not a Biblical scholar; do you have any examples of quotes that aren't in alignment with Buddhism?
Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

That verse is totally at odds with...well, pretty much all of Buddhism.

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." —Gautama Buddha

[Jaycub]

Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

That verse is totally at odds with...well, pretty much all of Buddhism.

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense." â??Gautama Buddha

Word, makes sense.