The anointing of the Holy Spirit vs. similar experiences in other religions

[TruthSeek3r]

I open this thread motivated by a recent realization of a concrete example.

In Tibetan Buddhism there is a spiritual practice known as Tummo. According to Wikipedia:

Tummo is also a tantric practice for inner heat, developed around the concept of the female deity.[1][3][4] It is found in the Six Dharmas of Naropa, Lamdre, Kalachakra. and Anuyoga teachings of Vajrayana. The purpose of tummo is to gain control over body processes during the completion stage of 'highest yoga tantra' (Anuttarayoga Tantra) or Anuyoga.

Practice
Inner heat (gtum mo, skt. \chandali, literally meaning "fierce, hot or savage woman") practice is the foundation for the rest of the six dharmas and is the first of the six dharmas.[7][8] This practice works with the subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras. Through inner heat, the vital winds are caused to enter into the central channel (avadhuti), causing the four blisses or joys which is then unified with the wisdom that understands emptiness.[7]

This practice is a kind of pranayama, that generally involves sitting with a straight back, visualizing the channels, holding the breath deep in the abdomen for extended periods (called "vase breath", kumbhaka), then applying visualization of a fiery short stroke AH syllable on the navel. This practice leads the vitals winds into the central channel, where they are said to melt the drops (bindus, which are tiny spheres of subtle energy) causing great bliss.[9] This powerful bliss experience "is said to constitute a similitude of the actual bliss experienced in spiritual awakening (byang chub, bodhi)."[10]

According to Glenn Mullin, tantric scriptures state that the tantric bliss experienced in this practice is "a hundred times more intense than ordinary sexual [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], [and] gives rise to a special state of consciousness."[11] This ecstatic state of mind is then used to contemplate emptiness. This "ecstasy conjoined with (the wisdom of) emptiness"[11] is what is referred to as Mahamudra ('Great Seal').[11]

Tilopa's verses of the six dharmas briefly outlines the practice as follows:

The yogic body, a collection of energy channels, coarse and subtle, possessing the energy fields, is to be brought under control. The method begins with the physical exercises. The vital airs [i.e., energies] are drawn in, filled, retained and dissolved. There are the two side channels, the central channel avadhuti, and the four chakras. Flames rise from the chandali fire at the navel. A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. There are four results, like that similar to the cause, and six exercises that expand them.[12]​

Notice the emphasized sentence: A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. I couldn't help but notice a striking similarity between this description and the way some Christians describe the ecstatic experience of "the anointing of the Holy Spirit" being poured over their heads. Below some examples:

------------
Example 1
-------------

[blog post extract]

Now I know some people reading this may not have experienced one of those beautifully sweet times when the Holy Spirit broods over worship. He’s light permeating the darkest recesses of your soul, warm oil anointing your head, and love overflowing your heart. No words fully describe the naked encounter of your person with the person of the Holy Spirit.

[comment by one of the readers]

STEVE MILLER
Dan, Thank you for all you have written here. I teach Bible students, and have been sharing some written testimonies with them of moments when the anointing or presence of the Holy Spirit has been experienced by believers as like warm oil or honey falling on the head physically. So I am engaged with your phrase “warm oil anointing your head”. May I ask: Are you saying you have felt the Holy Spirit as if like oil poured physically on your head? Do you know others who speak this way about feeling the Holy Spirit as if He can sometimes be physically felt like warm oil? It would help me in my work to learn more about what you write here. Best, Steve Miller, Canterbury, UK​

(source) (blog post + comments)​

------------
Example 2
-------------

[...] and I felt the anointing, I felt like warm oil that just went from my head all the way down to my body, all the way down my legs, it was just like warm oil, and all of a sudden I had waves and waves of pure joy just bubbling out of me [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

------------
Example 3
-------------

[...] as soon as I said it I got the most amazing feeling [...] it was like someone pouring oil or warm honey from the top of my head and it just sort of slowly moved down my body, and as it was going down I just felt the warmth, just pure love, pure joy, pure peace. I'd never felt it [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

------------
Example 4
-------------

[...] when I felt that sun on the back of my head it was nothing but joy, [...] and I felt the oil all over the top of my head and going down my neck and my shoulders, and I literally remember taking my hand and, like, feeling, like making sure ... it literally felt like there was physical oil on me, that's how it felt, so warm, and it was like it was pouring all over the top of my head, and I kid you guys not, in my whole 31 years of life, I never experienced anything like that. And, I just get emotional thinking about it [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

Question

How do Christians view and explain these similarities?

I see some possibilities:

• Tibetan Buddhism's interpretation is right, and Christians who have reported the "anointing" experience were unknowingly tapping into their subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras.
• Christianity's interpretation is right, and Tibetan Buddhists have been unknowingly experiencing the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
• Both interpretations are wrong, and there is a common neurophysiological explanation for these similar experiences across different religions.
• Etc.

Of course, one could generalize this discussion to any other spiritual experiences that are similarly described across different religions (experiences of joy, love, etc.)

 

[ByTheSpirit]

First I'd say to this:

The purpose of tummo is to gain control over body processes

The Holy Spirit isn't given to believers to control them. God isn't in the business of control, He leads, we follow or don't follow, that's our decision. So that's the first difference.
Galatians 5:16-17 16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Second to this:

This practice is a kind of pranayama

We are not given the Holy Spirit as a result of some practice or discipline, it is purely off the basis of our belief.
Galatians 3:5 ESV Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith.

Also of note, this process seems to involve the controlling of one's physical senses etc. It's a personal thing, something that is done for the person, by the person. The giving of the Holy Spirit is exactly the opposite of this. The Lord Jesus Christ gives His Holy Spirit to us so that we can in turn have power to go out and bless others.
Acts 1:8 You will receive power after the Holy Spirit has come upon you to be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Lastly to the bit about how similar the processes are I'd say that similarities in events, doesn't equate the two. A man can look at a woman. He may be looking at her lustfully, or he may be looking at her because she has a huge booger hanging out of her nose. The two are not the same, although from the outside, he is looking at her, so they seem the same.
2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I open this thread motivated by a recent realization of a concrete example.

In Tibetan Buddhism there is a spiritual practice known as Tummo. According to Wikipedia:

Tummo is also a tantric practice for inner heat, developed around the concept of the female deity.[1][3][4] It is found in the Six Dharmas of Naropa, Lamdre, Kalachakra. and Anuyoga teachings of Vajrayana. The purpose of tummo is to gain control over body processes during the completion stage of 'highest yoga tantra' (Anuttarayoga Tantra) or Anuyoga.

Practice
Inner heat (gtum mo, skt. \chandali, literally meaning "fierce, hot or savage woman") practice is the foundation for the rest of the six dharmas and is the first of the six dharmas.[7][8] This practice works with the subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras. Through inner heat, the vital winds are caused to enter into the central channel (avadhuti), causing the four blisses or joys which is then unified with the wisdom that understands emptiness.[7]

This practice is a kind of pranayama, that generally involves sitting with a straight back, visualizing the channels, holding the breath deep in the abdomen for extended periods (called "vase breath", kumbhaka), then applying visualization of a fiery short stroke AH syllable on the navel. This practice leads the vitals winds into the central channel, where they are said to melt the drops (bindus, which are tiny spheres of subtle energy) causing great bliss.[9] This powerful bliss experience "is said to constitute a similitude of the actual bliss experienced in spiritual awakening (byang chub, bodhi)."[10]

According to Glenn Mullin, tantric scriptures state that the tantric bliss experienced in this practice is "a hundred times more intense than ordinary sexual [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], [and] gives rise to a special state of consciousness."[11] This ecstatic state of mind is then used to contemplate emptiness. This "ecstasy conjoined with (the wisdom of) emptiness"[11] is what is referred to as Mahamudra ('Great Seal').[11]

Tilopa's verses of the six dharmas briefly outlines the practice as follows:

The yogic body, a collection of energy channels, coarse and subtle, possessing the energy fields, is to be brought under control. The method begins with the physical exercises. The vital airs [i.e., energies] are drawn in, filled, retained and dissolved. There are the two side channels, the central channel avadhuti, and the four chakras. Flames rise from the chandali fire at the navel. A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. There are four results, like that similar to the cause, and six exercises that expand them.[12]​

Notice the emphasized sentence: A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. I couldn't help but notice a striking similarity between this description and the way some Christians describe the ecstatic of experience of "the anointing of the Holy Spirit" being poured over their heads. Below some examples:

------------
Example 1
-------------

[blog post extract]

Now I know some people reading this may not have experienced one of those beautifully sweet times when the Holy Spirit broods over worship. He’s light permeating the darkest recesses of your soul, warm oil anointing your head, and love overflowing your heart. No words fully describe the naked encounter of your person with the person of the Holy Spirit.

[comment by one of the readers]

STEVE MILLER
Dan, Thank you for all you have written here. I teach Bible students, and have been sharing some written testimonies with them of moments when the anointing or presence of the Holy Spirit has been experienced by believers as like warm oil or honey falling on the head physically. So I am engaged with your phrase “warm oil anointing your head”. May I ask: Are you saying you have felt the Holy Spirit as if like oil poured physically on your head? Do you know others who speak this way about feeling the Holy Spirit as if He can sometimes be physically felt like warm oil? It would help me in my work to learn more about what you write here. Best, Steve Miller, Canterbury, UK​

(source) (blog post + comments)​

------------
Example 2
-------------

[...] and I felt the anointing, I felt like warm oil that just went from my head all the way down to my body, all the way down my legs, it was just like warm oil, and all of a sudden I had waves and waves of pure joy just bubbling out of me [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

------------
Example 3
-------------

[...] as soon as I said it I got the most amazing feeling [...] it was like someone pouring oil or warm honey from the top of my head and it just sort of slowly moved down my body, and as it was going down I just felt the warmth, just pure love, pure joy, pure peace. I'd never felt it [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

------------
Example 4
-------------

[...] when I felt that sun on the back of my head it was nothing but joy, [...] and I felt the oil all over the top of my head and going down my neck and my shoulders, and I literally remember taking my hand and, like, feeling, like making sure ... it literally felt like there was physical oil on me, that's how it felt, so warm, and it was like it was pouring all over the top of my head, and I kid you guys not, in my whole 31 years of life, I never experienced anything like that. And, I just get emotional thinking about it [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

Question

How do Christians view and explain these similarities?

I see some possibilities:

• Tibetan Buddhism's interpretation is right, and Christians who have reported the "anointing" experience were unknowingly tapping into their subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras.
• Christianity's interpretation is right, and Tibetan Buddhists have been unknowingly experiencing the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
• Both interpretations are wrong, and there is a common neurophysiological explanation for these similar experiences across different religions.
• Etc.

Of course, one could generalize this discussion to any other spiritual experiences that are similarly described across different religions (experiences of joy, love, etc.)

They are the same because they are the same deceiving spirit. There is no such annointing as described in scripture as a true manifestation of His Holy Spirit.

His Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, makes His home in us and stays there. He does not " brood" over worship He dwells inside the beliver. This is the regeneration of our condition to which we enter into The Body of Christ. The born again experience. Such feelings like hotness, honey, fire,oil etc., are flesh driven manifestations mainly to exploit and deceive.
My thoughts anyway.
Blessings
1 John 2
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

 

[Jesus is YHWH]

They are the same because they are the same deceiving spirit. There is no such annointing as described in scripture as a true manifestation of His Holy Spirit.

His Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, makes His home in us and stays there. He does not " brood" over worship He dwells inside the beliver. This is the regeneration of our condition to which we enter into The Body of Christ. The born again experience. Such feelings like hotness, honey, fire,oil etc., are flesh driven manifestations mainly to exploit and deceive.
My thoughts anyway.
Blessings
1 John 2
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Yes the great deceiver appeals to mans flesh/ carnality. He is also the great imitator. Just look at the toronto blessing movement and all those whackos and people are gullible enough to buy into it hook, line and sinker. The deceiver knows how to trap man in his snares. They are no match for his craftiness.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

I would be very careful mocking people who are trying to describe something that is indescribable. The things of God are foolishness to the carnal mind.

 

[com7fy8]

The purpose of tummo is to gain control over body processes

The main focus is on physical control of the body, possibly. But with God we first submit to Him spiritually so He in us does what He desires to with us >

"for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:13)

This is very personal, and ongoing, in sharing with God working our willing and doing in sharing with Him.

But the version you report about Buddhism seems self-produced and focused much on the physical body being controlled by the individual.

But we in Jesus are told to make our bodies a living sacrifice, right? Yes > Romans 12:1. But I understand this means we submit to God so He is the One working what our bodies do. And, often enough, we are likely to not know what God will have us doing, because He is so more and better than we are, so He creates better things that we do . . . better than we might have thought we would do, even moments before we do something guided by Him.

So, He does not have us doing some exact same activity, over and over, with the same or pretty much the same results. We do not control or even know, often enough, what He will do with us next. It is like how, I will offer, the disciples with Jesus did not know what would come next, that Jesus would do and take them through.

We are not puppets, but His love makes us alive and creative in sharing with Him.

the wisdom that understands emptiness.

God is not emptiness. So, why would ones want to give attention away from God??

"rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:4)

We are not only seeking experiences for ourselves, but to please our Father . . . including how we are beautiful like Jesus by being gentle and quiet in God's love.

We care about what God is experiencing about us!

Therefore, Christianity is not about experiences and temporary ways of being and feeling, but living with Jesus is about how we become in our character so we stay this way.

This powerful bliss experience "is said to constitute a similitude of the actual bliss experienced in spiritual awakening (byang chub, bodhi)."

Well, one might need to explain or evaluate looking at "emptiness" and also experiencing awakening which is spiritual.

But, like I meant . . . we are not only about getting ourselves to feel nice and great stuff, but first we need to become pleasing to our Father. And with Him we do not only have nice feelings, but we have personal intimate sharing with God, and with one another who are submissive to Him.

There are feelings and experiences which are not personal. And so ones can get very lonely, right while producing various feelings and experiences of pleasure and excitement. But in God's love we have personal and sensitive sharing . . . nicely quiet. And God is not boring, but very creative in how He has us loving, right out in real life.

So, we do not have to isolate ourselves in order to have some thing that is nice; but in loving with people in real life we can be sharing with God Himself through Jesus > including >

"in the presence of my enemies" > in Psalm 23:5 < we can have all that God pleases to share with us, and not only in isolated and rigged situations.

According to Glenn Mullin, tantric scriptures state that the tantric bliss experienced in this practice is "a hundred times more intense than ordinary sexual [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], [and] gives rise to a special state of consciousness."

Well, if sexual pleasure is a person's treasure . . . this would be a pretty impressive experience. But is it personal sharing with God, with His kind caressing and communication and personal leading in His peace?

I have been told how meth can keep a sexual experience going for 24 hours. But love is better.

This ecstatic state of mind is then used to contemplate emptiness. This "ecstasy conjoined with (the wisdom of) emptiness"

So, this seems like someone is saying you get a mind full of ecstasy so you can see what is empty. What ever, is this emptiness supposed to be??

The yogic body, a collection of energy channels, coarse and subtle, possessing the energy fields, is to be brought under control. The method begins with the physical exercises. The vital airs [i.e., energies] are drawn in, filled, retained and dissolved. There are the two side channels, the central channel avadhuti, and the four chakras. Flames rise from the chandali fire at the navel. A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. There are four results, like that similar to the cause, and six exercises that expand them.

I think it is wise to submit to God and let Him keep track of what He wants us to do with Him. This stuff you are quoting seems to be talking about a human keeping track of a lot of details. But I now understand that such giving of attention to controlling things can keep our attention away from God and submitting to Him in His peace.

Notice the emphasized sentence: A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. I couldn't help but notice a striking similarity between this description and the way some Christians describe the ecstatic of experience of "the anointing of the Holy Spirit" being poured over their heads.

Well, if the experience is really the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the attention is mainly to God, not only to trying to have great experiences. And how we become during special times of worship is our standard of how to stay during every day!

So, genuine worship is not self-produced and lasting only or mainly during the experiencing of the worship service, but there is personal sharing with God, and this is growing and continuing after the service.

• Both interpretations are wrong, and there is a common neurophysiological explanation for these similar experiences across different religions.
• Etc.

Of course, one could generalize this discussion to any other spiritual experiences that are similarly described across different religions (experiences of joy, love, etc.)

As I have offered, I do not think the Holy Spirit has us focusing on isolated experiences. But He has us growing fruit. And growing of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is happening all the time in a child of God.

But I do believe He gives us special experiences, as He pleases. And our wonder has us thanking and glorifying God . . . not seeking self-produced things.

 

[bling]

I open this thread motivated by a recent realization of a concrete example.

In Tibetan Buddhism there is a spiritual practice known as Tummo. According to Wikipedia:

Tummo is also a tantric practice for inner heat, developed around the concept of the female deity.[1][3][4] It is found in the Six Dharmas of Naropa, Lamdre, Kalachakra. and Anuyoga teachings of Vajrayana. The purpose of tummo is to gain control over body processes during the completion stage of 'highest yoga tantra' (Anuttarayoga Tantra) or Anuyoga.

Practice
Inner heat (gtum mo, skt. \chandali, literally meaning "fierce, hot or savage woman") practice is the foundation for the rest of the six dharmas and is the first of the six dharmas.[7][8] This practice works with the subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras. Through inner heat, the vital winds are caused to enter into the central channel (avadhuti), causing the four blisses or joys which is then unified with the wisdom that understands emptiness.[7]

This practice is a kind of pranayama, that generally involves sitting with a straight back, visualizing the channels, holding the breath deep in the abdomen for extended periods (called "vase breath", kumbhaka), then applying visualization of a fiery short stroke AH syllable on the navel. This practice leads the vitals winds into the central channel, where they are said to melt the drops (bindus, which are tiny spheres of subtle energy) causing great bliss.[9] This powerful bliss experience "is said to constitute a similitude of the actual bliss experienced in spiritual awakening (byang chub, bodhi)."[10]

According to Glenn Mullin, tantric scriptures state that the tantric bliss experienced in this practice is "a hundred times more intense than ordinary sexual [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse], [and] gives rise to a special state of consciousness."[11] This ecstatic state of mind is then used to contemplate emptiness. This "ecstasy conjoined with (the wisdom of) emptiness"[11] is what is referred to as Mahamudra ('Great Seal').[11]

Tilopa's verses of the six dharmas briefly outlines the practice as follows:

The yogic body, a collection of energy channels, coarse and subtle, possessing the energy fields, is to be brought under control. The method begins with the physical exercises. The vital airs [i.e., energies] are drawn in, filled, retained and dissolved. There are the two side channels, the central channel avadhuti, and the four chakras. Flames rise from the chandali fire at the navel. A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. There are four results, like that similar to the cause, and six exercises that expand them.[12]​

Notice the emphasized sentence: A stream of nectar drips down from the syllable HAM at the crown, invoking the four joys. I couldn't help but notice a striking similarity between this description and the way some Christians describe the ecstatic experience of "the anointing of the Holy Spirit" being poured over their heads. Below some examples:

------------
Example 1
-------------

[blog post extract]

Now I know some people reading this may not have experienced one of those beautifully sweet times when the Holy Spirit broods over worship. He’s light permeating the darkest recesses of your soul, warm oil anointing your head, and love overflowing your heart. No words fully describe the naked encounter of your person with the person of the Holy Spirit.

[comment by one of the readers]

STEVE MILLER
Dan, Thank you for all you have written here. I teach Bible students, and have been sharing some written testimonies with them of moments when the anointing or presence of the Holy Spirit has been experienced by believers as like warm oil or honey falling on the head physically. So I am engaged with your phrase “warm oil anointing your head”. May I ask: Are you saying you have felt the Holy Spirit as if like oil poured physically on your head? Do you know others who speak this way about feeling the Holy Spirit as if He can sometimes be physically felt like warm oil? It would help me in my work to learn more about what you write here. Best, Steve Miller, Canterbury, UK​

(source) (blog post + comments)​

------------
Example 2
-------------

[...] and I felt the anointing, I felt like warm oil that just went from my head all the way down to my body, all the way down my legs, it was just like warm oil, and all of a sudden I had waves and waves of pure joy just bubbling out of me [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

------------
Example 3
-------------

[...] as soon as I said it I got the most amazing feeling [...] it was like someone pouring oil or warm honey from the top of my head and it just sort of slowly moved down my body, and as it was going down I just felt the warmth, just pure love, pure joy, pure peace. I'd never felt it [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

------------
Example 4
-------------

[...] when I felt that sun on the back of my head it was nothing but joy, [...] and I felt the oil all over the top of my head and going down my neck and my shoulders, and I literally remember taking my hand and, like, feeling, like making sure ... it literally felt like there was physical oil on me, that's how it felt, so warm, and it was like it was pouring all over the top of my head, and I kid you guys not, in my whole 31 years of life, I never experienced anything like that. And, I just get emotional thinking about it [...]
(source) (video + timestamp)​

Question

How do Christians view and explain these similarities?

I see some possibilities:

• Tibetan Buddhism's interpretation is right, and Christians who have reported the "anointing" experience were unknowingly tapping into their subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras.
• Christianity's interpretation is right, and Tibetan Buddhists have been unknowingly experiencing the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
• Both interpretations are wrong, and there is a common neurophysiological explanation for these similar experiences across different religions.
• Etc.

Of course, one could generalize this discussion to any other spiritual experiences that are similarly described across different religions (experiences of joy, love, etc.)

Water baptism is not a “requirement” for salvation, since God does the saving, but is something Christians get to do in order to help them and others.

I know that I needed everything God could provide to assure me of my conversion, both outwardly and mentally. God wants you to physically feel the experience of what is going on Spiritually.

You need to add to your conversion a definite time place and physical experience, which God has provided for you.

Adult believers water immersion is to be a physical outward representation of what had or is happening spiritually in the person being baptized. It is mainly to help the individual being baptized to better grasp what is going on, but it can “witness” to others observing the baptism. It has the elements of going down under the water (burying the old man), placing your dependence in another; the person baptizing you (surrendering your life to God), being washed (having your sins washed away), rising out of the water (rising from the old dead body), and stepping forth out onto the earth (a new person). The person is walking out into the hugs of his new family. It is also a sign of your humility, since it is a humbling act anyone can simple allow someone to do to them (so not a work) and since humility has been shown in the accept of charity (God’s free gift of undeserving forgiveness) it should just support and add to the memory of that acceptance. To refuse Christian water baptism when it is readily available might mean you are not ready to handle other responsibility like having the indwelling Holy Spirit and you are hurting yourself.

 

[ARBITER01]

How do Christians view and explain these similarities?

I don't view them as similar.

Whatever a religion may be producing, it is for selfish gains.

The anointing that was placed upon the head of Jesus was so the power of The Holy Spirit would rest upon Him,...

Luk 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Luk 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

That same anointing from GOD was provided to us also,...

1Jn 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.

The Greek word that I bolded here can be translated "on" also, and it should have been to reflect the same experience that Jesus had. Anointings in the OT were always upon the person's head, not inside them somehow.

 

[bèlla]

It sounds similar to kundalini activation which produces a similar heat along the spine and an intensity in the head and above if the chakras were opened.

But the Holy Spirit feels different. I experience burning in the crown and sometimes the chest too. When a negative presence is near those areas are impacted on occasion. I feel a slight pain in my chest but haven’t experienced the same in my head in years. In most instances I notice them through other senses.

 

[Jonaitis]

Question

How do Christians view and explain these similarities?

I see some possibilities:

• Tibetan Buddhism's interpretation is right, and Christians who have reported the "anointing" experience were unknowingly tapping into their subtle body (also known as the vajra-body) system of channels (nadis), winds (lung, vayu), drops (bindus) and chakras.
• Christianity's interpretation is right, and Tibetan Buddhists have been unknowingly experiencing the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
• Both interpretations are wrong, and there is a common neurophysiological explanation for these similar experiences across different religions.
• Etc.

Of course, one could generalize this discussion to any other spiritual experiences that are similarly described across different religions (experiences of joy, love, etc.)

Mystical experiences has a profound effect on the psyche.