An Open Letter to My Daughter (Part 1)
My dearest friend,
When you mentioned that you’d been invited to a Taizé community prayer service recently, all my alarm bells went off. Since you’re a "grown-up" now, I won’t tell you what to do. But just in case you’re curious, here are a few of my thoughts on the matter.
Contemplative Prayer: Why it's Unbiblical
I. First, let’s define contemplative spirituality
"A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but is often wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic
(God is in all)."—Lighthouse Trails Research Project
II. The essential practice is called
"contemplative prayer"
Five Points to Consider
1. The purpose of contemplative prayer (or meditation) is to enter a mystical or altered state of consciousness in order to connect to one's true self.
Biblical truth: "Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:18-20 NIV). See also 1 Cor 14:1-2.
2. Contemplatives believe our true self is basically good, and all human beings have a divine center within.
Biblical truth: "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…" (Rom 3: 22-23 NIV)
3. "Sparked by Eastern meditative techniques, today's version of centering prayer is bent on stilling the mind."
A Quiet Revolution by Jodi Mailander Farrell
Biblical truth: "My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding."
(Ps 49:3 ESV) See also Mark 12:30.
4. The altered state of consciousness is achieved by repetitive chanting and other meditative practices such as focusing on the breath.
Biblical truth: "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do…" (Matt 6:7 ESV) "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Ps 1:2 NIV)
5. "Contemplative consciousness," says Thomas Merton, is "a trans-cultural, trans-religious, trans-formed consciousness … it can shine through this or that system, religious or irreligious."
Biblical truth: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6 NIV) See also I Timothy 2:5.
My dearest friend,
When you mentioned that you’d been invited to a Taizé community prayer service recently, all my alarm bells went off. Since you’re a "grown-up" now, I won’t tell you what to do. But just in case you’re curious, here are a few of my thoughts on the matter.
Contemplative Prayer: Why it's Unbiblical
I. First, let’s define contemplative spirituality
"A belief system that uses ancient mystical practices to induce altered states of consciousness (the silence) and is rooted in mysticism and the occult but is often wrapped in Christian terminology. The premise of contemplative spirituality is pantheistic (God is all) and panentheistic
(God is in all)."—Lighthouse Trails Research Project
II. The essential practice is called
"contemplative prayer"
Five Points to Consider
1. The purpose of contemplative prayer (or meditation) is to enter a mystical or altered state of consciousness in order to connect to one's true self.Biblical truth: "Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:18-20 NIV). See also 1 Cor 14:1-2.
2. Contemplatives believe our true self is basically good, and all human beings have a divine center within.
Biblical truth: "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…" (Rom 3: 22-23 NIV)
3. "Sparked by Eastern meditative techniques, today's version of centering prayer is bent on stilling the mind."
A Quiet Revolution by Jodi Mailander Farrell
Biblical truth: "My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding."
(Ps 49:3 ESV) See also Mark 12:30.
4. The altered state of consciousness is achieved by repetitive chanting and other meditative practices such as focusing on the breath.
Biblical truth: "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do…" (Matt 6:7 ESV) "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Ps 1:2 NIV)
5. "Contemplative consciousness," says Thomas Merton, is "a trans-cultural, trans-religious, trans-formed consciousness … it can shine through this or that system, religious or irreligious."
Biblical truth: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6 NIV) See also I Timothy 2:5.
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. (Acts 17:11 NIV)
III. Honey, have you encountered this
"inside" vocabulary?
• Labyrinths• Enneagrams
• Breath Prayers
• Jesus Candles
• Inner Light
• Lectio Divina
• The Silence
• Sacred Space
• Divine Center
• Divine Mystery
• Beyond Words
• Jesus Prayer
• Contemplative
• Centering
• Centering Prayer
• Ingnation Contemplation
• Prayer of the Heart
• Ancient Prayer Practices
• Being in the Present Moment
• Spiritual Direction
• Spiritual Disciplines
• Spiritual Formation
More vocab is here...
Related
"Metrospirituality & the Latest Hip Lifestyle"
Up Next—Part 2: So What’s Taizé?
Click here for Part 2.
Your raves, rants, and reactions?
Photos: LarimdaME, Wiedmaier, jillhudgins (Flickr)
Related
"Metrospirituality & the Latest Hip Lifestyle"
Up Next—Part 2: So What’s Taizé?
Click here for Part 2.
Your raves, rants, and reactions? Photos: LarimdaME, Wiedmaier, jillhudgins (Flickr)
17 COMMENTS:
Oh, I don't even like to read about this. It is a side of the spiritual that I don't like anything to do with. Maybe because my family line is not too far removed from dark spiritual activity. I was rescued from the EXTREME fears that one can become in bondage to when exposed to the occult. I am so thankful for a friend who recognized this and knelt right down with me and prayed for protection and freedom from the evil that kept me in fear by "whispers." No, this is one place I would not want to go to ever again - and I am thankful for Jesus Christ's victory of such controls.
I've never even heard of Taize (sp?). It seems like there's a new religion springing up every five minutes.
I think meditation and comtemplation are words that can be used with different meanings. You've highlighted some of the ways that are definitely more Eastern than Christian.
However, some Christians sit and meditate on the words from the Bible, or contemplate the wonder of God, as in "Be still and know that I am God". Do you see this in a different light?
Thank you for enlightening us. I have never even heard of Taize before.
I'll be back to read more tomorrow.
when i used to work for the diocese as a youth, there was a lot this going on... drove me nuts and I refused to partake of it... bizzare that you are writing about it today, as the book I was reading just had a chapter about "silence" last night and was going thru not mistaking a silent time with God as Contemplative silence... must be important that I get it thru my head if I'm hearing it twice in one day! lol
I guess it's the difference between meditating on God and being still in His presence; and 'centering' on ourselves and opening ourselves up to possible unclean spirits.
One focuses on God the other focuses on ourselves.
I'd never heard of Taize.
Hugs.
E-mom I found this article about holistic and contemplative Christianity quite by accident, I wondered if it would be useful to your discussion?
Holistic Christianity
WOW. I never heard of Taize. I'll be back tomorrow to learn more. My husband always says there is nothing new under the sun....
As for meditation: I think it might mean different things to different people. I definitely "meditate" (think on) the things I have just read in Scripture or a recently heard sermon when I am out in nature. I also meditate as I look to the hills when I am hiking. It is a form of prayer I think when Christians use the word...like deep thinking that (at least for me) is often followed by prayer.
Linnet: Thanks for the link to that Catholic author. His views are definitely the sort that my post warns against.
Coincidently, my husband sent me a link to an article--also written by a Catholic believer--who takes the opposite view: "The Danger of Centering Prayer."
Take a look. Blessings!
Wow, I'd never heard of Taize either. Makes me think a little about what is going on with Oprah right now, and the New Earth thing.....sad. So many searching for something, and not realizing what they really need....Jesus. I think everyone's soul, longs to be right with God, they just don't recognize what it is they are searching for, the longings, and so they look sooo many other places. Again, sad.
BTW, loved the story on the Expelled movie. Would love to see it.
thanks for posting this emom. there is sooo much swirl around us...and some of it looks good, and sounds good and might kinda taste good too. but it's not good. not good at all.
Connie Marie: Thanks for sharing so openly. This is alarming: Maybe because my family line is not too far removed from dark spiritual activity. As Christians, we do need to be aware of these dangers. Yet, "Greater is He who is within us, than he who is in the world." Amen? :~D
Buffy: However, some Christians sit and meditate on the words from the Bible, or contemplate the wonder of God, as in "Be still and know that I am God". Do you see this in a different light?
A very relevant question/remark. The Bible does use the word "meditate," but it has a meaning that is similar to "mutter under the breath." The concept radically opposite to the eastern practice of emptying the mind of all thought in self-hypnotic silence. (Satan is really good at twisting things.)
So yes, as believers, we're supposed to contemplate or ruminate on God's Word so that it can really penetrate our minds and hearts. (See Faith's comment too.)
Lori: Hurry back! :~D
Amydeanne: A very interesting "coincidence." The Lord is SO good. :~D
Linnet: Yes, you have it in a nutshell. Very well expressed! I've left another comment for you above. Hugs.
Faith: Truly, there is nothing new under the sun!
I definitely "meditate" (think on) the things I have just read in Scripture or a recently heard sermon when I am out in nature. I also meditate as I look to the hills when I am hiking. It is a form of prayer I think when Christians use the word...like deep thinking that (at least for me) is often followed by prayer. Yes, absolutely, this is the meditation that is biblical and encouraged.
Rachelle: Right, this post is really about New Age spirituality--and exactly the practice that Oprah is currently promoting. If you're interested, you can read more about O's teachings from a Christian point of view at From the Lighthouse.
I agree completely with you: So many searching for something, and not realizing what they really need....Jesus. I think everyone's soul, longs to be right with God, they just don't recognize what it is they are searching for, the longings, and so they look sooo many other places. Again, sad.
Go see the movie! It's very thought-provoking. (We talked about it all weekend.) Hugs.
Roo: ...there is sooo much swirl around us...and some of it looks good, and sounds good and might kinda taste good too. but it's not good. not good at all.
So true, so true. As they say, "All that glitters is not gold." :~D
I can see that you are truly concerned for your daughter. I will pray.
I guess my first thoughts were, here is another pseudo Christian group co-opting Christian practices and words (how is Christian Discipline or the Jesus Prayer be a bad thing when used rightly??). I think you are wise to do some research in order to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Thank you e-mom, I guessed what this man was talking about was very similar to what you were discussing.
Hugs!
DebD: Yes, I'm concerned for our youth, absolutely. Thanks for your prayers. :~D
Linnet: This is a certainly movement that you won't be joining. I say, Amen to that!
I've never heard of Taizé either, thanks for the education. Very Oprah-ish for sure, and probably something to be on the lookout for. We'll be seeing a LOT more of this in the days to come.
I've heard of Taize before but never really understood! Thanks for the information!
Jennifer and A Stone Gatherer: Yes, Oprah-ish for sure. Just one version of New Age spirituality which we should all be aware of. :~D
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