Quote Originally Posted by mrdevious
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 ) .

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