Spiritual Mud

What does this muddy mixture have in common?

A minister in the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, an archdeacon of an Anglican Cathedral, a reverend of a Presbyterian Church, contemplative prayer, Buddhism, mindfulness meditation, centering prayer, and brain-expanding practices?

Read all about it, here (the article may be a year old but still relevant):

Prayer research opens fresh frontiers of spiritual practice
http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2013/12/24/prayer-research-opens-fresh-frontiers-of-spiritual-practice/

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Melissa Greene’s Perfectly Muddy Pitch

The former member of a very popular Christian music group wastes no time opening her talk at her church with quotes from Richard Rohr (Franciscan priest of contemplative mystic theology who has taught the equality of Buddha with Christ and the indwelling of God in all things[1]) and Madeleine L’Engle (believed in universal salvation[2]) and Aldous Huxley (humanist whose spiritual interests were parapsychology mysticism and universalism [3]).

In the voice of an angel, with appealing words and songs with perfect pitch and harmony, she tells her story. Initially saved by an invitation to escape hell, the lovely singer with a voice of honey has changed her narrow misconceptions for untruths. It happened after disappointments, trials and sorrows coupled with doubts, that she started reading books. She read Brian McLaren (false teacher[4] who will be visiting her church), Richard Rohr, Thomas Merton (contemplative mystic/panentheist[5]) and Phyllis Tickle (has false views about the Bible, the gospel, nature of God and the Trinity[6] who will also be visiting her church). After accepting their words as truth, this lovely musician concluded that fear based approach to spirituality doesn’t work, and that the most devastating fear is the fear of God. Now, she says, everything belongs (Rohr), and love always wins (Bell). Freed from fear, she is now an open and inclusive pastor and mom who leads worship. The songs of comfort they will be singing from now are centered on how we belong and how we are beloved. The theme of the old hymn Amazing Grace is to be pitied, because we are not wretches. The core of who we are is not unworthiness. Those are old fearful concepts.

But fear not, this changed worship leader has written a lovely new song based on a quote by Julian of Norwich, a universalist and mystic[7] who engaged in meditation to identify with Christ’s suffering, praying and striving to experience fear and bodily pain to achieve union with Christ in many visions. The following Julian of Norwich quote is not quite as pleasant as the one which the new worship song is based on.

“In this sickness I wanted to have every kind of pain, bodily an spiritual, which I should have if I were dying, every fear and assault from devils and every other kind of pain except the departure of the spirit, for I hoped that this would be profitable to me when I should die, because I desired soon to be with my God” -Julian of Norwich, pg 24, Julian of Norwich’s “Showings”: From Vision to Book by Denise Nowakowski Baker [8]

The choice of this fear craving mystic seems somewhat ironic, especially after this worship leader has just insisted that fear based approach to spirituality doesn’t work.[9]

Wrapping up her lulling talk, the pastoress of worship finishes with a prayerful assurance that Jesus told great stories, but it is our stories of our journeys that make God’s grand story.

Watch the half hour sermonette here:

IF: Gathering Leader/Pastor Melissa Greene—A Female Version of McLaren, Bell, Rohr, and Merton
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=17015

Why should this presentation be a concern to North American Christians? Recently, this pastoress has also been given a far reaching platform at other events. Please consider the following questions:

Is this the voice of truth?
What muddy streams of spirituality lurk beneath the perfect pitch and crystal clear harmony of this message?
Who is being influenced by, and accepting, this nice sounding message?
Isn’t universalism and inclusiveness at odds with the Bible?
Can Satan use beautiful things (people, music, words) to draw people into deception?
Is this part of the greater plan of the emerging church network’s agenda for the new kind of inclusive gospel-free spirituality to invade Christianity?
If so, aren’t all those involved in this muddy message… deceivers?

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
2 Cor. 11: 13-15

Endnotes:

[1] http://apprising.org/2008/05/10/who-is-richard-rohr/
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madeleine_L’Engle
[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldous_Huxley
[4] http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/brianmclaren.htm
[5] http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/merton.htm
[6] http://rootedinchrist.org/2010/11/30/the-great-emergence-or-a-great-deception/
http://thebereanlibrary.com/archives/category/phyllis-tickle-2
[7] http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/julianofnorwich.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich
[8] https://books.google.ca/books?id=ZEcABAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
[9] For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 1 Cor. 14:33

Related:

Was Satan in charge of music in Heaven?
http://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-music.html

Was Lucifer originally an angel of worship?
https://carm.org/questions/about-demons/was-lucifer-originally-angel-worship

***NEW: (MAY 8, 2015)

Melissa Greene
Melissa Greene is the pastor of worship and arts at GracePointe Church in Franklin, Tennessee. The church made national headlines in January of 2015 as senior pastor, Stan Mitchell, declared his church now accepts homosexual marriage.12
When I pull up Greene’s website, I immediately notice the picture of her sitting in a Yoga position. In a May 25th, 2014 message on her website titled “Worth,” Greene admits to reading emerging church pioneer Brian McLaren’s book, A Generous Orthodoxy (and McLaren spoke at GracePointe in the fall of 2014). Greene favorably quotes other prolific New Spirituality names: Phyllis Tickle, Richard Rohr, Frederick Buechner, Rob Bell, Nicholas Wolterstorff, Thomas Merton, Peter Gomes, Aldous Huxley—a list that reads like a veritable who’s who in emergent and contemplative heresy.
In “Worth,” Greene declares that, “Christianity is broad and diverse.”13 Considering that many of her influences accept all religions as being of God, there is no doubt to what she means when she states this. Greene also made the audacious statement: “The most devastating fear in people’s lives is the fear of God.”14 She attempts to validate her statement by taking verses out of context and misapplying them.

SOURCE: IF it is of God—Answering the questions of IF:Gathering
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=17334

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Former Archbishop Mixes Orthodox and Buddhist Prayer

Is it any surprise to read that the Church of England’s former Archbishop (aka *arch-heretic pagan Druid) of Canterbury, Rowan Williams uses Buddhist prayer techniques?

Rowan Williams: how Buddhism helps me pray
Former Archbishop of Canterbury reveals intense daily meditation ritual influenced by Buddhism and Orthodox mysticism
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Williams has disclosed that he spends up to 40 minutes a day squatting and repeating an Eastern Orthodox prayer while performing breathing exercises as part of a routine influenced by Buddhism.
He also spends time pacing slowly and repeatedly prostrating himself as part of an intense early morning ritual of silent meditation and prayer.
The normally private former Archbishop has given a glimpse of his personal devotions in an article for the New Statesman explaining the power of religious ritual in an increasingly secular world.
Lord Williams has spoken in the past about how in his youth he contemplated becoming a monk as well as joining the Orthodox church. . .

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/10942056/Rowan-Williams-how-Buddhism-helps-me-pray.html

______
*Archbishop – or Arch-heretic?
http://www.thechristianexpositor.org/page118.html

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Eastern Meditation for World Peace at Christian College

CHRISTIAN COLLEGE BRINGS DALAI LAMA’S BUDDHIST PRACTICE, “LOJONG”

Addressing visiting guest, the Dalai Lama,” as His Holiness, Emory University is the latest college to abandon Christ by embracing Eastern religions for the sole purpose of uniting the world toward global peace. In its class, Secular Ethics 101, instead of looking at ethics and morality through a purely worldly way apart from Christ, the college has found a more universal way to get everyone on board: Eastern meditation through a Buddhist practice, “Lojong.” Lojong is simply guided meditation that instructs students to, ”Find the consciousness you had before you were born” and “Treat everything you perceive as a dream.”

Recently the Dalai Lama himself came to address the university…

More here:

http://standupforthetruth.com/2014/02/christian-college-brings-dalai-lamas-buddhist-practice-lojong/

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David Yongee Cho Convicted

Heretical Swindler Yongee Cho Convicted of Financial Corruption in Korean Court
moriel.org

For years following publication of his demonic book “The Fourth Dimension” Moriel has warned of David Yongee Cho , the Korean pastor who combines Kenneth Copeland style word-faith heresy with Oriental Shammanism and occult visualization techniques claiming “Buddhists and Hindus have known his formula for centuries but now Jesus Christ has revealed it to him”. Cho’s ‘formula’ is the bogus notion of Eastern mysticism that the human imagination is one’s spirit. His corrupted pseudo theology was a combination of “blab it and grab it” of the money preaching tele-evangelists, gnosticism, and Shammanism.

Many ignorant and un-discerning people in the West were impressed by Cho due to the size of his church when in fact anyone who has spent much time in Hong Kong or Macau realizes that there are far larger visualization cults in Asia than his.

Cho received a three year custodial sentence but the jail time was suspended (allegedly under social and political pressure) while his son will be imprisoned in the $21 million scam that illegally overpriced stock and sold it to the church, defrauding the congregation Cho pastored, in order to recover personal losses from another equities deal.

No one should be surprised. Most heretical preachers are swindlers and always have been.

SOURCE:

http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/discernment/church-issues/false-prophets/heretical-swindler-yongee-cho-convicted-of-financial-corruption-in-korean-court

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Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation being taught in Schools

The Bible is no longer allowed in our schools but new age Buddhist mindfulness meditation is – as long as it is emptied of all religious implications and classified as mind science. Thanks to Goldie Hawn and her foundation, this is now being introduced to school children everywhere in the form of a new curriculum called The MindUp Program.

Is it not ironic that Buddhist techniques are being taught to children in the same schools where the Bible has been banned? Meanwhile, it’s said that this is not a religious curriculum, even though its founder has drawn her ideas from Buddhism.

The following is a segment from a 60 minute interview Goldie Hawn by Mike Wallace:

MIKE WALLACE: Between love scenes and raising kids, Goldie is always on the go. This is her in India where she takes part in local rituals like this one, called the Festival of Colours. It may look bizarre, but her interest in things mystical and spiritual is serious. She’s practised meditation for 30 years now and she’s converted to Buddhism.

GOLDIE HAWN: I’ve been practising Buddhism for a while, so I call myself a Jew-Bu because my tribe is still Jew, but my philosophy and my practice is really Buddhist.

MIKE WALLACE: And Buddhism does what for you?

GOLDIE HAWN: Well, Buddhism is really, in a sense, one of its main practices is understanding and really experiencing compassion and how that ultimately is a road to happiness.

–Golden Girl (2005)
http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com/stories/contributors/259282/golden-girl

Today the golden girl of Hollywood is bringing her Buddhist philosophies to children in schools everywhere.

Parents, do you know if the Mind Up curriculum is being implemented into your child’s classroom this fall?

The following excerpt from the Women of Grace blog is food for thought:

Did you ever notice how the separation of church and state never applies to any religion except Christianity?
This is certainly the case for Goldie Hawn’s new program. A Jew who is also a practicing Buddhist, Hawn became involved in Eastern philosophy during the Ravi Shankar days of the early 70′s. Her Hawn Institute is pushing Buddhist techniques and mindfulness training in public schools. The program, called MindUP™, is described on the Hawn Institute website as “a comprehensive social and emotional learning program for pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students, and is informed by current research in the fields of cognitive neuroscience, mindful education, social and emotional learning, positive psychology, and evidence-based teaching practices.”
But underneath all the scientific sounding language is nothing more than good-old fashioned Buddhism…
…Hawn has linked up with Scholastic, which is the U.S. publisher of Harry Potter books and the purveyor of many materials and programs in public schools. It is also being popularized in the West by personalities such as Jon Kabat-Zinn, a Zen Buddhist and University of Massachusetts researcher who created the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program which introduced it into the medical establishment, and Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and bestselling author.
Can you imagine what would happen if we suggested that public school children be allowed to meditate on the life of Christ for five minutes every morning before classes begin? God forbid!
The bottom line is that parents of children in public schools should no longer assume that classrooms are religion-neutral, because this is no longer true. Eastern meditation and techniques such as yoga and tai chi are making their way into our schools – and bringing a taste for eastern religions right along with them.

–Goldie Hawn Pushing TM and Buddhism in Public Schools
http://www.womenofgrace.com/blog/?p=12645

Read the entire article at the above link. For further research, see these important pieces:

Atheist forces change in policy over the distribution of Gideon Bibles in Canadian schools
http://freethinker.co.uk/2013/08/24/atheist-forces-change-in-policy-over-the-distribution-of-gideon-bibles-in-canadian-schools/

Meditation in the classroom, the new approach to ’emotional learning’
Canadian schools in forefront of adding psychology to the curriculum
August 22, 2012
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2012/08/21/f-vp-handler-schools-brain-lingo-sel.html

Goldie Hawn’s Mind Up program Introduced into Albuquerque Public School
August 13, 2013
http://www.fggam.org/goldie-hawns-mind-up-program-introduced-into-albuquerque-public-school/

Albuquerque Public Schools puts an end to Goldie Hawn’s program!!
http://www.fggam.org/albuquerque-public-schools-puts-an-end-to-goldie-hawns-program/

Mother upset over school-wide meditation program
McKinley Middle School has plans to offer program, created by Goldie Hawn
http://www.koat.com/news/new-mexico/albuquerque/mother-upset-over-schoolwide-meditation-program/-/9153728/21491014/-/6om0xbz/-/index.html#ixzz2egtFuZRi

Hindus laud actress Goldie Hawn for introducing meditation in many American schools
February 18, 2012
http://www.brisvaani.com/hindus-laud-actress-goldie-hawn-for-introducing-meditation-in-many-american-schools/

New Age/Buddhist “mindfulness” invading preschools and public grade schools nationwide – including Canton, Ohio’s Plain Local School District
March 22, 2013
http://davemosher.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/occult-buddhist-mindfulness-being-adopted-by-all-plain-local-district-schools-near-canton-ohio/

MINDFULNESS GOES TO KINDERGARTEN
By Marcia Montenegro*
January 2012
http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_MindfulnessForChildren.html

Ancient Practices for Youth Will Help Unite World Religions
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=8779

*One last thought: If even the Buddhists and those experienced in meditation practices admit there can be danger lurking in the realms of meditation, is the MindUp curriculum really something that inexperienced teachers should be teaching children in their classrooms? See here:

Dangerous Meditation?
http://newbuddhist.com/discussion/4145/dangerous-meditation

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US Military to Embrace Eastern Religion

US Military to Embrace Eastern Religion

U.S. military ready to embrace eastern religion? [Excerpts]

While Bible-based Christianity is increasingly under attack in the U.S. military, at least one branch of America’s armed forces appears ready to embrace eastern religion practices.

The U.S. Marine Corps is studying how to make its troops even tougher through meditative practices, yoga-type stretching and exercises based on mindfulness.

The School Infantry-West at Camp Pendleton will offer the eight-week course starting Tuesday to about 80 Marines as part of an ongoing experiment.

Marine Corps officials say they will build a curriculum that would integrate mindfulness-based techniques into their training if they see positive results. Mindfulness is a Buddhist-inspired concept that emphasizes active attention on the moment to keep the mind in the present…

More here:

http://www.thebereancall.org/content/us-military-embrace-eastern-religion

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Peter Scazzero’s Contemplative Bridge Crossing to Canada

The Christian & Missionary Alliance Pacific District wants you to know about a conference this April 11 at Broadway Church, Vancouver, B.C. The Emotionally Healthy Leadership Conference is led by Peter Scazzero, pastor of a Christian and Missionary Alliance church in Queens, New York. The ad asks church leaders:

What if you could find the missing pieces to healthy leadership?

The Emotionally Healthy Leadership Conference is designed to help you discover a unique approach toward implementing a revolutionary discipleship paradigm into your life as a leader, your family and the leadership of your local church or organization.
Join Peter Scazzero, live, as he brings his powerful Emotionally Healthy Leadership Conference to two cities in Canada with the help of The Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada.

– http://pacificdistrict.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Emotionally-Healthy-2013.pdf

Promotions for this conference (which is also April 9 in Windsor, Ontario (Lakeshore St. Andrew’s) can also be found at Leadership Centre Willow Creek Canada and at Emotionally Healthy Leadership Conference (Canada), where Session 3 is described:

Session 3: Leadership and the Contemplative Tradition
This session will also address the indispensable place of contemplative spirituality (e.g. silence, solitude) so that we develop a rhythm of life that enables us to joyfully serve Christ. In particular, we will look at the Daily Office, Sabbath-keeping and a “Rule of Life” as key spiritual formation disciplines. This session will also provide time for conference participants to ponder the “blizzard” of their lives and the kind of changes they need to make in order to nurture a growing spirituality in our own lives out of which they can lead their churches well.

– http://emotionallyhealthyleadership.ca/schedule/

Focus on the Family Canada is also very excited to let you know about this conference:

“We want to personally recommend this excellent, strategic training to you and the pastors and leaders that you serve.”

– http://www.focusonthefamily.ca/corporate/events/emotionally-healthy-leadership-conference

In the following interview with Trappist Monk Fr. William Meninger (whose bio can be read at http://www.contemplativeprayer.net/), Peter Scazzero continues to help his church learn from the Trappist monks and contemplative traditions.

Pete Scazzero Interviewing a Trappist Monk on Prayer

*Published on Jan 29, 2013

Fr. William Meninger is a key figure in the modern contemplative prayer movement and the launching of centering prayer, which is why we see contemplative prayer being practiced in the Christian church today.

According to http://www.contemplativeoutreach.org, “Centering Prayer is drawn from ancient prayer practices of the Christian contemplative heritage, notably the Fathers and Mothers of the Desert, Lectio Divina, (praying the scriptures), The Cloud of Unknowing, St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. It was distilled into a simple method of prayer in the 1970’s by three Trappist monks, Fr. William Meninger, Fr. Basil Pennington and Abbot Thomas Keating at the Trappist Abbey, St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts.” It should be added, “During the twenty years (1961-1981) when Keating was abbot, St. Joseph’s held dialogues with Buddhist and Hindu representatives, and a Zen master gave a week-long retreat to the monks. A former Trappist monk who had become a Transcendental Meditation teacher also gave a session to the monks.” 5

– CONTEMPLATING CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER: IS IT REALLY PRAYER?
http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/articles_contemplativeprayer1.html

How much deeper into the muddy waters of contemplative spiritual practices will Christian organizations like these be willing to send their LEADERS?

Related:

Scazzero Scares Me
The Bridge across the Tiber back to Home Sweet Rome is now open for traffic
By Orrel Steinkamp
http://www.4truthministry.com/navigation/orrel_steinkamp_scazzero.php

Emotional Healthy Spirituality and Willow Creek Partner to Spread Contemplative Spirituality
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=1148

RICK WARREN WANTS US TO KNOW PETER SCAZZERO
http://apprising.org/2009/12/15/rick-warren-wants-us-to-know-peter-scazzero/

CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY CATALYST PETER SCAZZERO
http://apprising.org/2010/01/08/contemplative-spirituality-catalyst-peter-scazzero/

PETER SCAZZERO RECOMMENDING CONTEMPLATIVE/CENTERING PRAYER

http://apprising.org/2011/01/05/peter-scazzero-recommending-contemplativecentering-prayer/

PETER SCAZZERO INTRODUCING ENNEAGRAMS INTO MAINSTREAM EVANGELICALISM

http://apprising.org/2012/01/16/peter-scazzero-introducing-enneagrams-into-mainstream-evangelicalism/

Contemplative Spirituality – the Source of the Catholic Church’s Expansion
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=633

Previously blogged here:

Christian Missionary Alliance and Focus on the Family Canada leading Christians across the Contemplative Bridge

The Trappist Bridge to Rome

Practicing Silence

Slow Down and get Centered this Christmas says Scazzero

Scazzeros Spread Contemplative Spirituality at C&MA Conference

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A Historical Analysis of Mysticism: Part I

A Historical Analysis of Mysticism: Part I

Catholic and Buddhist Spirituality in the Context of the 12th and 13th Centuries
by Scott Noble
January 12, 2013

Every Christian knows that prayer is an important part of the Christian walk. But, not all Christians have experienced a fulfilling prayer life. Whether it be a lack of time, a wandering mind, or other obstacles, many Christians are sustained on just the “minimum” amount of prayer. Addressing this need, but not in a biblical way, are the Catholic mystics now promoted by the emergent church and others even within “Bible-believing” churches. Counterfeit spirituality is not a new thing. Jesus said, “…the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth…” (John 4:23). Anything that offers something “exciting” and “innovative,” at the expense of truth is not something that leads to being a “true worshipper.”

Read more here:

http://moriel.org/MorielArchive/index.php/missions/thailand/a-historical-analysis-of-mysticism-part-i

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‘I’m a Marxist,’ Dalai Lama tells Chinese students

‘I’m a Marxist,’ Dalai Lama tells Chinese students

Usually what we hear from the Dalai Lama is an insistant yet soothing voice for compassion and peace.

So Tsering Namgyal, a journalist based in Minneapolis, was jolted by the Dalai Lama’s talk to 150 Chinese students this month at the University of Minnesota. Writing at Religion Dispatches, he says:

Midway through the conversation, His Holiness, much to their surprise, told them “as far as socio-political beliefs are concerned, I consider myself a Marxist … But not a Leninist,” he clarified.

More here:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2011/06/dalai-lama-china-marx-communism/1?csp=34&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+Religion-TopStories+%28News+-+Religion+-+Top+Stories%29

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The injection of Shamanism, Buddhism, and Psychic Healing into Mainstream Medical Care

Hospitals: A new dark age?
The injection of Shamanism, Buddhism, and Psychic Healing into Mainstream Medical Care
By Marcia Montenegro, April 2010

A circular advertising several yoga classes (including Vinyasa Yoga, in which one asana flows into another), two Tai Chi classes, and one Qi Gong class arrived in my mail. This pamphlet was sent out by a company that owns and runs a large hospital in my area. Eleven of the 17 classes offered in the category of “Fitness” fall into the Eastern/New Age category.

The description under Qi Gong invites the reader to “Learn simple movements to cultivate chi (life force energy) to help you relax your body and mind, heighten your sense of well being, reduce stress, support your immune system and attain your greatest potential for health and happiness.” (The explanation of “life force energy” is part of their description and was not inserted by this writer). Qi Gong is not medically based, but rather has a spiritual foundation.

More here:

http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Hospitals.html

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McLaren’s Muddy ‘Naked’ Spirituality

While everyone has been preoccupied lately googling Rob Bell, universalism, and his new Love Wins book, they seem to have completely overlooked his emergent contemporary and fellow deconstructionist, Brian McLaren, whose brand new (and equally dangerous) book has also just been released this week.

Are You Ready to be Spiritually Naked? Naked Spirituality by Brian McLaren

Brian McLaren recently shared his muddy theology at a Christian university in Canada during an unbelievable five session talk on the different stages of spirituality. These sessions at the packed out ‘Refreshing Winds’ conference gave listeners a peak into what might be found in his newly released book, Naked Spirituality – A Life with God in 12 Simple Words, which his friends Marcus Borg and Richard Rohr have found to be filled with ‘wisdom.’ Find out what McLaren said at the conference, and what it actually meant, in the following review (and the only critique on this conference so far):

Parts 1-5 of this review on the Refreshing Winds conference at CMU can be found here:

McLaren’s Refreshing Winds at CMU – Part 1
http://mennolite.wordpress.com/2011/02/22/mclarens-refreshing-winds-at-cmu-part-1/

McLaren’s Refreshing Winds at CMU – Part 2
http://mennolite.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/mclarens-refreshing-winds-at-cmu-part-2/

McLaren’s Refreshing Winds at CMU – Part 3
http://mennolite.wordpress.com/2011/03/11/mclarens-refreshing-winds-at-cmu-part-3/

McLaren’s Refreshing Winds at CMU – Part 4
http://mennolite.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/mclarens-refreshing-winds-at-cmu-part-4/

McLaren’s Refreshing Winds at CMU – Part 5
http://mennolite.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/mclarens-refreshing-winds-at-cmu-part-5/

Related:

New:

Influence of Richard Rohr on Rob Bell…
http://apprising.org/2012/08/02/influence-of-richard-rohr-on-rob-bell-and-his-love-wins-mythology/

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Dalai Lama Promotes Peaceful Marxism

Dalai Lama Promotes ‘Peaceful’ Marxism

MADISON, Wis., Feb. 10, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ — In a recent Sify article, the Dalai Lama, a Buddhist, said he is a Marxist who opposes Communist China’s version of Marxism.

Karl Marx, founder of Marxism, said religion is the “opium of the masses.” He believed religion was the result of rich oppressors taking advantage of poor people. Marx said, “Abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is the demand for their real happiness.”

The Dalai Lama is one of TIME magazine’s all-time favorite religious leaders. His promotion of Marxism is confusing because most Marxists oppose religion. However, some Marxists try to combine their beliefs with Christianity.

More here:

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/3447016197.html

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Chinese woman leads dozens to Christ with 70¢ tract

Another refreshing testimony of the power of the gospel to save:

Chinese woman leads dozens to Christ with 70¢ tract
Posted on Jan 28, 2011 | by Sue Sprenkle

THAILAND (BP)–No one notices the young Chinese woman silently crying in the back pew. It’s the only place she finds solace from her deep depression and fear of death.

She’s not even sure why she sits in this church every afternoon; her communist education and Buddhist religion teach against a belief in God. Yet something keeps drawing Lily Wang* here.

She pulls a Bible from the pew. It’s not in her native Mandarin, but she flips it open anyway. She learned to read a little Thai after moving to Thailand a few years ago to teach school, but she hasn’t learned enough to really understand this.

So many questions cloud her mind that she finally musters enough courage to speak to a man carrying the same book. He brushes past the petite woman and goes about his business. The rejection reinforces everything she’s feeling — no one is interested in her; no one cares.

Distraught and angry, Wang walks to the foot of the cross and screams, “Are you real?

More here:

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=34540&ref=BPNews-RSSFeed0128

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Interreligious World Peace Project

The music of the very talented Michael Fitzpatrick is helping to lead the way across the interfaith bridge with the Dalai Lama and the Compassion Rising Project.

COMPASSION RISING DVD

A Musical Meditation

Footage chronicling the 40-year unfolding of COMPASSION beginning with the meeting between The Dalai Lama and Merton in 1968, the historic first-visit by helicopter by The Dalai Lama to the Abbey of Gethsemani in 1994, the subsequent Gethsemani Encounter in 1996, and the climactic recording and filming inside Mammoth Cave, the Abbey of Gethsemani, and the Furnace Mountain Zen Temple in 1999. Additional materials include capture of the Interreligious Vigil for World Peace led by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the meeting between The Dalai Lama and Muhammad Ali, orchestrated by Millenia Music for the Blessing of the Chamtse Ling Temple in 2003. All of this combined with the soul-stirring music of COMPASSION.

–http://web.mac.com/tuningtheplanet/Michael_Fitzpatrick/Compassion_Rising_DVD.html

The Compassion Rising website tells us that this project is dedicated to fulfilling the legacy of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Thomas Merton by bringing the world together in Compassion. The idea was based on a theory by Thomas Merton’s friend biologist Rupert Sheldrake called morphic resonance, in which sound vibrations of purest intent (compassion) can be introduced and felt in other parts of the world. Sheldrake believes the earth has consciousness pathways and will receive the music through its nervous system, not unlike the movie Avatar and its pagan message.

More pictures of the ceremonies and rituals in Mammoth cave can be seen here:
http://www.compassionrising.com/Compassion_Rising/Book.html

A forth coming narrative film project by the Dalai Lama Foundation is called Tuning the Planet (see here).

It all started with the Dalai Lama meeting Thomas Merton, whom he called his spiritual brother.

Many Christians today practice contemplative prayer, which came to be known as Centering Prayer in reference to Thomas Merton’s description as prayer that is “centered entirely on the presence of God” (see History of Centering Prayer, Contemplative Outreach). If they knew about this project, and how closely contemplative spirituality resonates with Buddhism, New Age pagan religions and earth worship, would they still go down the contemplative pathway?

Compassion Rising Film Preview

Related:

Thomas Merton and Buddhism
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/thomas-merton-and-buddhism/

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Dalai Lama and Rick Warren: Top Tweeters Among Religious Leaders

Dalai Lama and Rick Warren: Top Tweeters Among Religious Leaders

Megachurch pastor and global evangelist Rick Warren may not seem to have much in common with the Dalai Lama, exiled leader of Tibetan Buddhism. But they are the only religious figures to make Forbes’ list of the top 20 “most influential Twitter celebrities.” (Though Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho, ranked No. 2, could also be considered something of a spiritual guru.)

The Dalai Lama actually came in fifth, and Warren just made it at No. 20. But he shouldn’t feel bad as the Buddhist leader also beat Barack Obama (No. 11), and all three lost out to the top celeb, the Canadian-born teen pop idol Justin Bieber.

Moreover, Warren, pastor of the influential Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, has been Tweeting only for a little over a year but he has more than 200,000 followers, and each Tweet reaches some 1 million people.

More here:

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/19/dalai-lama-and-rick-warren-top-tweeters-among-religious-leaders/

[The truth is that the influential Rick Warren has demonstrated how he has more in common with the Dalai Lama, or at least his religion, than people might realize when he previously teamed up with Ken Blanchard the influential New Age/Buddhist sympathizer, and has also basically stated that Buddhists and Christians worship the same God. Also see: The Strange Case of Ken Blanchard.]

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Out of the Darkness, Into the Light: A Testimony

Out of the Darkness, Into the Light: A Testimony

Marcia Montenegro is the founder and president of Christian Answers for the New Age.

Coming from a background that includes Tibetan and Zen Buddhism, the paranormal, numerology and astrology, Marcia Montenegro was very hostile to Christianity and the idea that she needed salvation.

Marcia eventually had a compulsion to go to church, a compulsion she couldn’t understand. This experience led her to leave astrology and that led to a desire to read the Bible. This reading of God’s Word was instrumental in showing her the need she had to be reconciled to God.

Marcia details why fictional literature, such as the Harry Potter books, can have a great emotional impact on people, particularly youth. Spell casting, making potions and other occult practices are part of these books. Marcia’s background in both the occult and her new life in Christ allow her to speak authoritatively about these activities and why they represent Satan’s dangerous realm of darkness.

Listen to this radio program here:

http://www.crosstalkamerica.com/shows/2010/12/out_of_the_darkness_into_the_l.php

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A Bridge over other Waters

A Bridge over other Waters

Few have done as much to promote a sense of unity among the world’s religions than John Marks Templeton. Templeton has become world renowned for offering a million dollars as his annual prize from his religious research center that is dedicated to develop progress in religion.

The Council for a Parliament of World Religions promotes inter-religious dialogue and plans for the world’s “spiritual future by having government institutionalize a global ethic.” Sir John Templeton serves on the Parliament of World Religions board of trustees. Templeton is also linked to some very important and wealthy people that have been known to be involved in Globalism, both politically and religiously.

More here:

http://letusreason.org/Curren40.htm

Related:

Merging Religion and Mystical”Science”
The Templeton Foundation
http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/spirituality/templeton.htm

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Should you practice Mindfullness?

Should you practice Mindfullness?

If you are a Christian, the basis, rationale, and goal of mindfulness is in complete conflict with a Christian worldview and with the reality presented by God in his word. Mindfulness has nothing in common with biblical meditation, which is thoughtful contemplation of God’s word.

Biblical meditation and prayer are not matters of trying to go beyond thought, either to achieve a mystical oneness with God, or to “hear” from God. Nothing like this is taught anywhere in the Bible. Prayer in the Bible is always presented as verbal praise, petition, confession, and expression of gratitude to God.

Read the entire article here:

Mindfulness: no-mind over matter
By Marcia Montenegro, November 2010
http://christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Mindfulness.html

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Dalai Lama gives strong hint at retirement

Dalai Lama gives strong hint at retirement

The Dalai Lama has given the strongest indication yet that he plans to retire from political life and that it could be as soon as next year.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, 75, said he was intending to discuss the issue of his retirement with the government in exile within six months.

“In order to utilise fully democracy I felt [it] better I am not involved [and that] I am devoted to other fields, promotion of human values and peace and harmony,” the Dalai Lama said on Indian television. “[But] firstly I have to discuss, to inform members of Tibetan parliament.”

More here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/8152240/Dalai-Lama-gives-strong-hint-at-retirement.html

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Rob Bell Promotes New Age Author Huston Smith

Compromise is a slippery path to walk on. No one listened when we warned about emerging church leader Rob Bell promoting Ken Wilber. Now this…

Rob Bell Promotes New Age Author Huston Smith
by Ingrid Schlueter

Rob Bell’s 40,000 something followers on Twitter were treated to this tweet where Bell calls New Age Interspiritualist author Huston Smith’s book “great.” See tweet here. Here Huston Smith holds forth on one of the world’s religions. YouTube is filled with Mr. Smith’s praise for Hinduism, Buddhism and other world religions and their “truth.” Christianity is just one of many choices, according to Smith.

We can thank Rob Bell for openly admitting what many of us have been warning about for years. He represents a version of Christianity that is, in fact, anti-Christ. While Bell roots around in the books of rank interspiritualists for “truth”, true Christians look to our only and final authority, the unchanging Word of God.

[SOURCE]

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Canada’s first Tibetan Buddhist monastery opens

There’s a new monastery in Canada…

The monastery is located in an area of Richmond near mosques and Catholic churches…

“It’s an example of how all the religions in the world can actually get along together,” … “That is why we are so fortunate to have this opportunity, in the country of Canada in general…

More here:

Canada’s first Tibetan Buddhist monastery opens
http://www.globaltvbc.com/entertainment/Canada+first+Tibetan+Buddhist+monastery+opens/3319399/story.html

See also:

Canada’s first traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastery opens
http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Canada+first+traditional+Tibetan+Buddhist+monastery+opens/3316549/story.html

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The Sound Of Stillness

The Sound Of Stillness

Exploring darkness and light at an eight-day silent retreat

By Douglas Todd, Vancouver Sun July 17, 2010

Many silent retreats don’t really get going until the third day.

That’s what the retreat directors told us when we gathered in the Okanagan for eight days of silence. But what, exactly, were they trying to say?

After the directors welcomed our group of nine women and men from B.C. and Alberta, they offered instructions. They urged us to practise “modest gaze” through the eight days of living, eating and gathering together. No need to smile or make eye contact.

The directors talked about the silent retreat as “a fast from idle conversation.” Therefore, goodbye for eight days to social chatter, to being “productive,” to urban speed, noise and hassles. So long to telephones, e-mail and the Internet. To friends and family.

They told us to not be surprised if, without the usual battering of stimuli, churnings began to rumble deep within.

Read more here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/Sound+Stillness/3290748/story.html

Related:

The Altered State of Silence – Promoted by Both New Agers and Christian Leaders
http://www.vancouversun.com/Sound+Stillness/3290748/story.html

The Muddy Theology of Thomas Merton
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/04/28/the-muddy-theology-of-thomas-merton/

Thomas Merton and Buddhism
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/03/27/thomas-merton-and-buddhism/

Merton’s Spirituality
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/mertons-spirituality/

————————————————

Definition of Contemplative Spirituality: a belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is often wrapped in Christian terminology; the premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic (God is in all).
[http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/cp.htm]

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Teaching Chinese Meditation to Cocaine Addicts

U.S. Gov. Spent $410,624 on Project to Teach Chinese Meditation to Cocaine Addicts

(CNSNews.com) – The U.S. government has spent $410,625 to study the effects of teaching Chinese meditation to cocaine addicts.

“Our clinical experience and pilot studies suggest that Integrative Meditation (IM) from Chinese medicine may help clients engage in treatment, reduce cravings/withdrawal symptoms, and increase treatment retention, which appear missed by a typical behavior therapy,” says the official description of the project published by the National Institutes of Health.

“IM is an adaptation or simplified form of mindfulness meditation,” says the description. “It may enhance existing therapies to help reduce withdrawal symptoms, increase treatment engagement, and prevent relapse through step-by-step therapist facilitation.”

More here:

http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=4748

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The Emerging Church TransFORM and Zen Meditation

THE EMERGING CHURCH TRANSFORMING CHRISTIANITY

If you think this looks like people practicing Zen Buddhist meditation, you’d be correct. If you think this is at a Zendo in a Zen Center, you’d be wrong. This is Reverend Shinko Rick Slone, whom Apprising Ministries told you about in The Emerging Church TransFORM East Coast Apostasia-Palooza, leading the “Stillness Meditation” which opens each day of the TransFORM heresy-fest.

It’s all part of A New Kind of Christianty being advanced by the Emergent Church, a new form of Progressive Christian theology New Age mystic Deepak Chopra recently called “the resurrection of a new global Christianity that will restore our faith both in ourselves and in the divine.”

See article with links and picture here:

http://apprising.org/2010/04/30/the-emerging-church-transforming-christianity/

See also:

EMERGING CHURCH TRANSFORM BEGINS
http://apprising.org/2010/04/30/emerging-church-transform-begins/

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The Muddy Theology of Thomas Merton

The following is about Thomas Merton and what he believed…

“He (Merton) became increasingly interested in Buddhism and Asian monasticism. In 1968, he received permission to attend a conference on monasticism in Bangkok. There is rare footage of Merton from that conference.”

THOMAS MERTON (in video from 1968 Bangkok conference): That’s a thing of the past now, to be suspicious of other religions, and to look always at what is weakest in other religions and what is highest in our own religion. This double standard of dealing with religions — this has to stop.

Source:

Thomas Merton, Religion & Ethics Newsweekly
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/june-5-2009/thomas-merton/1378/

According to what Thomas Merton said and did, we can know that he did not believe that what Jesus said about Himself was true.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” John 14:6

If a Christian leader, teacher or professor leads you to Thomas Merton, whose words will you listen to?

“For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:14

Related:

Who is Thomas Merton?
http://apprising.org/2008/08/28/who-is-thomas-merton/

Read more about Merton’s Spirituality here.

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The Still Point of Zen

A book called Finding the Still Point: A Beginner’s Guide to Zen Meditation by John Daido Loori, one of America’s leading Zen teachers, offers everything you need to start practicing meditation. Covered in this book are some basics of meditation, such as where to sit (cushion, bench, or chair), how to posture your body (complete with pictures and instructions), and how to practice Zen meditation in order to discover a peaceful mind.

As any true Christian will immediately recognize, this is not biblical meditation. Surprisingly, many in Christian circles today are teaching how to find the still point under the misleading title of Christian spiritual formation, complete with the same spiritual and bodily disciplines, breathing and relaxation exercises – classic prerequisites steps to stilling the mind.

This is what the still point is all about:
Introduction to Zen Meditation: The Still Point

If you are a Christian, it would be wise not to permit yourself to sit under the teaching or authority of anyone who calls themselves a Christian but uses or promotes Zen meditation terminology and techniques to still the mind while trying to pass it off as a biblical way to meditate.

Also see:

What is contemplative spirituality?
http://www.gotquestions.org/contemplative-spirituality.html

What are the spiritual disciplines?
http://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-disciplines.html

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Is ‘The Still Point’ of Interspiritualist Thomas Merton being promoted at TWU?

In a recent article in Trinity Western Magazine (Issue No. 18), Professor Lynn Szabo, quoting from Thomas Merton, challenges us to find God in the still point.

“The constant in life, he (Merton) wrote, “was that still point within us” where the presence of Christ resides, where the Holy Spirit comforts and guides, where the imago dei dwells….This presence makes itself known to us as does God—in the mystery of His power, which often seems to dwell in utter silence.”

–A Still Point of the Turning World, Lynn R. Szabo, Associate Professor of American Literature and Creative Writing and Chair of the English Department at Trinity Western University
http://www.twu.ca/sites/magazine/no-18/faculty-folio/the-still-point-of-the-turning-world.html

This still point which Merton spoke of is a term for something that happens when one empties one’s mind of all thought and enters into an altered state of silence. As Merton biographer William Johnston wrote:

“When one enters the deeper layers of contemplative prayer one sooner or later experiences the void, the emptiness, the nothingness … the profound mystical silence … an absence of thought.” —Thomas Merton biographer, William Johnston, William Johnston, Letters to Contemplatives, (Orbus Books, 1992), p. 13.

Source: The Altered State of Silence, Lighthouse Trails Research Project

Szabo also refers to Thomas Merton as “one of the twentieth century’s most significant American Christian writers.” However, he was not Christian in the literal sense of the word, although many believe he was. Thomas Merton was a trappist monk who, towards the end of his life, embraced the false notion that all paths lead to God, whom Merton believed dwells inside of everyone.

Related previous posts:

Thomas Merton and Buddhism

Merton and TWU

Is Trinity Western University helping to Pave the Thomas Merton Pathway?

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NEW SPIRITUALITY, OLD LIE – Part 2

NEW SPIRITUALITY, OLD LIE
PART 2

By Debra Rae
April 17, 2010
NewsWithViews.com

Given the genius of modern cinematography and unmatched access to cutting-edge technology, deceptive spirituality packs a wallop never before possible. This was demonstrated by the 20th Century Fox production, Avatar, which out-grossed even Hollywood’s blockbuster of all time, the Titanic.

Briefly, Avatar (roughly meaning incarnation) is a futuristic, body-snatching saga in which enlightened humanoids, animals and vegetation experience spiritual “bonding” or “connecting.” Mystically-minded enthusiasts with utopian fantasies promote what clearly is science fiction to the presumably more reputable rank of “science.”

More here:

http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra165.htm

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NEW SPIRITUALITY, OLD LIE

NEW SPIRITUALITY, OLD LIE
PART 1

By Debra Rae
March 28, 2010
NewsWithViews.com

Part 1: Self-God

The enticement to be like god is a timeless seduction. Perhaps the most recognizable self-proclaimed deity this century is the affable 14th Dalai Lama. Master of the most revered Tibetan monks, he is at home with his own divinity, for which he credits a strong will and karmic force. Looking to him and other ostensibly highly-evolved ascended masters, growing numbers of mystics view themselves as embryo gods-in-the-making.

This new spirituality is no more than rehash of a very old lie. Described in the Bible as a beautiful, anointed cherub, Lucifer exalted himself above all others. He purposed to usurp humans as crown of God’s creation; even more, he wanted to become as god. With that very ambition, Lucifer seduced Eve to partake of the forbidden fruit of knowledge, reserved for God alone.

More here:

http://www.newswithviews.com/Rae/debra164.htm

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THE PISCEAN AVATAR: THE JESUS OF ASTROLOGY

Another Jesus…

THE PISCEAN AVATAR: THE JESUS OF ASTROLOGY
By Marcia Montenegro, former professional astrologer (page 1 of 6)

For many astrologers, who believe that humanity is now shifting from the Piscean Age to the Aquarian Age, Jesus was the Avatar of the Age of Pisces; he represented that age through his actions and teachings, as seen from astrological and New Age viewpoints.

This article will familiarize you with the astrological and esoteric New Age Jesus so you can compare that Jesus to the Jesus of the Bible. In order to understand Jesus as the Piscean Avatar, we must look at the meanings of avatars, astrology, and Pisces.

More here:

http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_Pisean1.html

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Preschoolers practice meditation

The following news story, which reveals how far Eastern spirituality has influenced the West, is about…

a pre-school in Marin County, where children are learning mindfulness during the earliest stages of their education.

* * *

KIDS SINGING:

My mind is a clear, blue sky, my mind is a clear blue sky.

And I breathe in, and I breathe out.

And my mind is a clear, blue sky.

My mind is a clear, blue sky. And the feelings come, and the feelings go.

And my mind is a clear, blue sky. My mind is a clear, blue sky.

To meditate, you have to sit still. Stillness and preschoolers ? two words that usually don’t go together. But they do for Lesley Grant, the director of the Marin Mindfulness Cooperative in San Anselmo. Through pictures and stories, she guides kids between the ages of two-and-a-half and five in following their breath.

Read more here:
Preschoolers practice meditation
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/kalw/detail?entry_id=60838

Mindfulness practice is inherited from the Buddhist tradition. See here:

Mindfulness (Buddhism)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness_%28Buddhism%29

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Thomas Merton and Buddhism

Listen to the words of Thomas Merton who found what he was searching for in the faces of the Buddha statues.

Thomas Merton and Buddhism

Related:

Interreligious World Peace Project
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/interreligious-world-peace-project/

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Is Trinity Western University helping to Pave the Thomas Merton Pathway?

The following article appeared in BC Christian News [SEPTEMBER ISSUE 2000 • VOL. 20 #9 • Formerly “Christian Info News”]

Mertons view of spirtual growth still inspires

By Lynn Szabo

GOD ALONE reads the dictum above the gated enclosure at the Abbey of Gethsemani [www.monks.org] some 40 miles south of Louisville, Kentucky, where Thomas Merton lived for 26 years before his tragic death in December, 1968.

His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain (1949), an unexpected bestseller, testified to his conversion to Christianity and formation as a Trappist monk. For many readers of Merton, this classic is all that they know of his story. Its rather pious, categorical depiction of monastic life leaves Merton as a young novice aspiring to sainthood and rather narrow in his unquestioned acceptance of orthodoxy. There is much more.

Many readers of Merton are now immersed in discussion of his life and significance; he has become Americas best-known monastic figure. Such discussions are at the beginnings of what will no doubt become a tradition of inquiry for scholars and laypeople alike. Indeed, Thomas Merton may very well turn out to be one of the most important contributors to twentieth century thought.

As ecumenism and societal interest in spiritual formation grows, Mertons path out of the confines of his early years as a Christian will illuminate the way for many who find themselves ill-at-ease with a theology that offers too many easy answers but not enough fruitful experience of God. For those longing to know God in ways more intimate, Mertons writings thoroughly explore the aspects of silence and solitude which lead into the experience of God alone….

More here:
http://www.canadianchristianity.com/cgi-bin/bc.cgi?bc/bccn/0900/mertons

Lynn Szabo is the assistant professor of English at Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C.

Is TWU helping to pave Merton’s interfaith pathway to God through contemplative practices of silence and solitude?

Catholic lay monk Wayne Teasdale says this of Thomas Merton:

“Thomas Merton was perhaps the greatest popularizer of interspirituality. He opened the door for Christians to explore other traditions, notably Taoism, Hinduism and Buddhism.”
[Mystic Heart: Discovering a Universal Spirituality in the World’s Religions – Wayne Teasdale]

AND

Wayne Teasdale , who wrote A Monk in the World, saw Thomas Merton as being one of the leading interspiritual visionaries as Merton assimilated “the major spiritual classics of the east into his Christian understanding, particularly Zen Buddhist, Hindu Vedanta, Yoga texts and Taoist classics.” Wayne Teasdale also said of Merton:

“He was consciously trying to relate the mystical insights of other traditions with his own Christian faith.” p.181

[SOURCE: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/merton.htm]

Related:

Merton’s Spirituality
https://muddystreams.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/mertons-spirituality/

Thomas Merton
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/merton.htm

WHO IS THOMAS MERTON?
http://apprising.org/2008/08/28/who-is-thomas-merton/

CONTEMPLATIVE SPIRITUALITY OF RICHARD FOSTER ROOTED IN THE EASTERN DESERT AND THOMAS MERTON
http://apprising.org/2008/11/22/contemplative-spirituality-of-richard-foster-rooted-in-the-eastern-desert-and-thomas-merton/

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Many Christians believe in reincarnation, astrology, the “evil eye,” poll says

Many Christians believe in reincarnation, astrology, the “evil eye,” poll says

Kay Latonio is a Christian. Yet she has an altar with a Buddha statue in her Riverside condo and practices meditation based upon Buddhist principles. Latonio, 51, is not alone in blending religious practices. A recent survey by the nonpartisan Washington, D.C.-based Pew Research Center found that more than 1 in 5 U.S. Christians believe in reincarnation, astrology and in the presence of spiritual energy in physical objects like trees. Many also consult psychics or believe in the “evil eye.”

Combining Eastern, New Age and other beliefs with Christianity concerns some Christian clergy, who fear those ideas are diverting Christians from biblical teachings. But Latonio’s pastor, the Rev. Jane Quandt, pastor of First Congregational Church of Riverside, is not worried about the blending of practices. Quandt said she sees some beliefs — like astrology — as a waste of time but doesn’t condemn people for it. “I’m not overly fond of people doing that, but that’s a pretty minor thing to worry about,” she said. “I’m much more worried about things like violence, hate, and human needs and suffering.”

More here:

http://www.understandthetimes.org/inthenews/192_m1.shtml

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Lecture and Meditation Session led by Thomas Keating

Two friends went to hear a lecture by Father Thomas Keating, and this is what they heard…

After instructing everyone on choosing a “sacred symbol,” which, he told us, could be any word we like (Jesus, peace, stillness, calm, etc.), Keating told us that if a thought came into our minds, we were to return to this word. The goal was to get to a state of no-thinking and to get beyond any perceptions, bodily sensations, or purposes. He also said this should be done at least 20 minutes twice each day, and one should gradually do it for longer periods of time.3

The instructions given by Keating for doing this CP (CP is for Centering or Contemplative Prayer) are almost identical to what I was taught for Buddhist meditation, minus the “sacred symbol” or “sacred word.” However, the idea that one has a word to return to in order to get away from thinking is part of most forms of Hindu meditation, including Transcendental Meditation….

More here:

Lecture and Meditation Session led by Thomas Keating
Session Held on May 22, 2005, The Falls Church, Falls Church, VA1
By Marcia Montenegro
http://www.christiananswersforthenewage.org/Articles_KeatingLecture.html

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Air Force Allows Pagan Worship Circle

Shocking…

Witches, Druids and pagans rejoice! The Air Force Academy in Colorado is about to recognize its first Wiccan prayer circle, a Stonehenge on the Rockies that will serve as an outdoor place of worship for the academy’s neo-pagans.

Wiccan cadets and officers on the Colorado Springs base have been convening for over a decade, but the school will officially dedicate a newly built circle of stones on about March 10, putting the outdoor sanctuary on an equal footing with the Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels on the base.

More here:

Neo-Pagans Get Worship Circle at Air Force Academy
http://understandthetimes.org/inthenews/176_na.shtml

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Northwest Nazarene University President Responds Regarding New Spirituality Speaker

We believe this is a case of a university president who does not appear to understand the nature of the current spiritual deception sweeping through the church, and very much so the Nazarene denomination.

See the response of this university president to these concerns here:

Northwest Nazarene University President Responds Regarding New Spirituality Speaker
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=2878

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“Christian” Buddhist Lectures at Nazarene University

“God has been … luring all people in the world toward different forms of wisdom … and we don’t have to equate them. It’s possible that a Buddhist might know something that’s truly different from what a Christian knows and they might be complimentary rather than contradictory. ”

“I think everything is interconnected. That’s part of my Buddhism.”

-Dr. Jay McDaniel (during lecture that took place at Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho) -www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com

McDaniel is a self-proclaimed “Christian” Buddhist universalist who is said to be influenced by the late Catholic monk, Thomas Merton.

More here:

Buddhist/Universalist Sympathizer Woos Nazarene Students at NNU
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=2822

Also see:

JAY MCDANIEL’S MYSTIC MUMBO JUMBO AT NORTHWEST NAZARENE U
http://apprising.org/2010/01/24/jay-mcdaniels-mystic-mumbo-jumbo-at-northwest-nazarene-u/

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