Is it acceptable for a Christian to practice meditation?

[stacymay]

I'm not talking about meditating on the Word (which is of course good), but things like mindfulness, mantra, etc.

I'm going through EMDR treatment for OCD and I feel like meditation can help me calm down and deal with the way the therapy is affecting my everyday life. It might help me and I personally don't see anything wrong with it, but because of meditation's origins in Eastern religion, I thought I'd ask my fellow Christians' advice.

So what do you think? Is it acceptable for a Christian to meditate to deal with stress, depression, or other issues?

 

[susie1979]

I have OCD. I guess depends on what kind u talking about

 

[Albion]

I wouldn't engage in any meditations that use Yoga-type mantras, for they are part and parcel of Hinduism, regardless of what the leader may say.

 

[TheManOfDust]

I think you CAN meditate to a certain extent, but going along with what Albion said you have to be careful of what you say of utter; you could quickly find yourself partaking in practices outside of christianity.

Sometimes I shall simply sit in a dark, quiet room. I will close my eyes and simply reflect on what has happened recently, I think about God and his plan for me, and sort of just allow myself to get lost in my own mind. I'm not sure if that's meditation or me just being a wierdo (maybe both) but if what I just described is similar to what you are doing I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[gracegreciagracet]

Christians should not perform meditations such as Yoga, mantra and etc as these things have pagan roots. Even if you don't believe in the pagan religion which this meditation technique originate from, you should not practice it.

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8 KJV).

 

[PaladinValer]

If we are talking about meditations and various exercises that have been secularlized, then they are fine.

If not, then avoid them unless you can reasonably reconcile them to Christian interpretation/meaning, and only if that doesn't bother your conscience.

 

[susie1979]

I do yoga

 

[Albion]

I do yoga

Does it require the use of a mantra? If so, do you get to make up your own? If not, have you ever considered what you're saying?

 

[CircuitousPath]

Meditation laid bare, minus all of the doctrinal additions that one finds in various eastern faiths, is simply confining one's attention to a single object, recognizing when the mind has left said object, and bringing it back to once again rest on that object. That's it. There's nothing in that stack of practices that would threaten a Christian spiritually.

A classic and easily accessible meditation method is to maintain awareness of one's breathing by counting inhalations and exhalations. You focus your attention on the rising and falling of the abdomen or the flow of air at the tip of the nostrils (confinement), you count each breath in and out continuously, you take notice when your mind drifts away from the counting (recognition), and then you discipline your attention by gently going back to counting.

The danger arises when one begins to apply non-Christian philosophical elements to the meditative experience. For instance, when your ability to concentrate gets strong enough you might sense a kind of "fusion" with the object of meditation. In the case of the breath, your attention may be so engrossed in the respiratory process that you only have awareness of it and not the sense of self that you usually operate from within.

Buddhist philosophy uses that experience of absorption to destabilize the sense of self and question the "me" identity, thus leading to the non-Christian doctrine of no-self. This is to be avoided as the biblical teaching on humanity clearly posits an essential self (soul) that is given to us by God Himself.

That said, I believe a solid grounding in the Word will keep you from moving into territories that are spiritually dangerous.

 

[susie1979]

Does it require the use of a mantra? If so, do you get to make up your own? If not, have you ever considered what you're saying?

I do yoga cause it helps stretch out muscles in my back. When mediate I think of what I just read in Bible or the good things in my life.

 

[susie1979]

Plus in classes it more in paying attention to your breathing and the movements I believe nothing threaten me being a Christian.

 

[Danny34]

So, breathing in and out while sitting down is good and saying mantras and practicing philosophies (such as Buddhism's "self") is bad?

 

[CircuitousPath]

So, breathing in and out while sitting down is good and saying mantras and practicing philosophies (such as Buddhism's "self") is bad?

How can sinking our attention into something as innocuous as the breath be bad? Functionally, it's no different than a musician's focus being absorbed into his instrument or a runner's mind fusing with the exercise itself.

Mantra recitation on the other hand deals directly with powers that a Christian should have no affiliation with. Chanting a kundalini mantra for instance is a gateway to activating the serpent that allegedly rests at the base of the spine and is said to alternately be the energy of a goddess or the manifestation of the Hindu atman. For a Christian, that would be idolatry.

 

[stacymay]

By mantra, I don't mean "Om" or the kundalini mantra or anything like that. I mean like a repeated sentence meant to calm myself, not something associated with another religion. Just wanted to clarify. I must not have used the right term.

So basically, is it OK to practice mindfulness or meditation that is more secularized? I just need something that is good for me physically and mentally to help get me through this period of therapy when things become so crazy it's hard to function in everyday life without something to help ground me!

 

[CircuitousPath]

By mantra, I don't mean "Om" or the kundalini mantra or anything like that. I mean like a repeated sentence meant to calm myself, not something associated with another religion. Just wanted to clarify. I must not have used the right term.

So basically, is it OK to practice mindfulness or meditation that is more secularized? I just need something that is good for me physically and mentally to help get me through this period of therapy when things become so crazy it's hard to function in everyday life without something to help ground me!

I can't see how it would be an obstacle in your Christian walk. Meditation is just choosing a focus and disciplining the mind to remain on it. If you've ever participated in an activity with sustained concentration, then you (like everyone else on the planet) have already partially engaged the meditative process. If you've ever sat down to write a paper or a journal entry where you find yourself completely absorbed in the task at hand, you have experienced a part of the meditative process.

The only difference between formal meditation and the more spontaneous variety that arises from time to time is the practice and skill involved.

Also, I can't see how meditative phrases without religious attachments could hinder your spiritual walk. Let's say that you've had a grueling day at the office, and you're feeling stressed and on the verge of going postal. What's wrong with repeating "serenity" to yourself to bring about the relaxation response?

This is all my reasoning, though. In the end, if you're still concerned you can always pray about this issue and seek guidance from the Lord. In fact, I recommend it. He knows you better than I, and He can advise you far more capably in these matters.

I hope this helps!

 

[gideon123]

there is NO problem with basic meditation where you are just calming your mind, relieving stress, and doing deep breathing. These effects are beneficial for your mind and body, and have no religious implications.

my suggestion is that you should not repeat mantras. This doesn't mean that every single mantra is necessarily bad. But rather than Christianity offers a much better alternative. While you are meditating, why don't you repeat the words from the Psalms in your head? Or you can read them quietly and think about them. Isn't that a more constructive approach?

gideon123

 

[CounselorForChrist]

My friend is into the whole Zen thing including the Zen Garden. I told him I think he shouldn't do it, he says its ok to as a christian. >.<

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well since Zen is Buddhist thing I am pretty sure that clashes with the fact we are christians and not, you know, buddhists. >.> Heres a little quote about Zen Gardens:

Zen gardens are often used for enlightenment and changing the forces around what we do, although many believe its for those properly trained in the Zen religion.

Pretty sure thats 100% against biblical teachings.

 

[CircuitousPath]

<staff edit>

It comes down to worldview. Zen Buddhism, like any other school of Buddhism, has as its highest ideal a state of consciousness that seekers can only reach through lifetimes of dedicated effort or accelerated tantric practices. None of that accords with the Christian ideal of spending eternity with the Father as a result of embracing Christ and His sacrifice.

 

[Jupiter Drops]

I'm not talking about meditating on the Word (which is of course good), but things like mindfulness, mantra, etc.

I'm going through EMDR treatment for OCD and I feel like meditation can help me calm down and deal with the way the therapy is affecting my everyday life. It might help me and I personally don't see anything wrong with it, but because of meditation's origins in Eastern religion, I thought I'd ask my fellow Christians' advice.

So what do you think? Is it acceptable for a Christian to meditate to deal with stress, depression, or other issues?

One time at school, our teachers made us meditate to this CD. We closed our eyes and listened to what the CD said. It told us to open the gates of our minds, the chakra, etc. Little did I realize that we were introduced to New Ageism at school without knowing...

After that mediation, everyone woke up, saying that they felt 'refreshed.' Mostly the kids were saying that because they were taking a nap for half an hour. But I knew that I wasn't feeling all that refreshed or happy. I felt the same. I just closed my eyes and tried, but it didn't work.

And I was also wondering why this was so necessary because if the school wanted me to relax, I could've left class for about ten minutes for a break and come back feeling better. Why did the school lie to me like that? I felt betrayed by adults who shrugged it off like it was no big deal. But they themselves sold their souls. After few years later, I heard a few bad things which had happened to one of my teachers who introduced us to New Age meditation....

If you feel restless, then go to a quiet, dark place. Lie down on the floor and just close your eyes. You don't need all that chakra and gate opening talk to make you feel calm and refreshed. Just let your thoughts go on the floor.

Always pray to God for peace and read verses about being calm. The Lord is your shepherd (Psalms 23). Look at flowers, the birds, and meditate on God's beautiful works on nature. Read books and poetry. Listen to calming music. Rely on His grace and beauty. Be thankful and happy by His side.