*Dear mods - I wasn't sure where to put this thread, so if it's better suited to another section, please feel free to move it!*

I've been practising TM now for donkey's years - since 1991 in fact, soon after I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I can honestly say it's been really good for me, calming down the considerable "monkey chatter" in my brain and easing my anxiety. I haven't always been as regular with it as I should be, but I've never given up on it entirely!

However, I have to be careful telling my fellow Christians that I practise TM, as many of them really wouldn't approve. I'm not having a go at them though - I respect their viewpoint! I can understand that it might seem rather strange! When I "came out" as a TMer on the DIF, I was actually "unfriended" over it by someone who shall remain nameless, and was told in no uncertain terms that I couldn't be a "real Christian" if I practised TM! The way I see it though, is that firstly, TM doesn't require you to worship any "god" (it's not a religion), and secondly, I appreciate that there is much that is "good and true" outside the Church.

Are there any other TMers on the Forum? Or maybe there are practioners of another form of "medding"? Would anyone like to share their experiences?

Mandy

Great thread!

I also practiced meditation that I got into by way of Aikido. I am also a Christian and I can tell you that meditation has been part of the monastic tradition since the very beginings of Christianity.

Those Christians that would "unfriend" you for not doing as they do or would judge you as unChristian for practicicng meditation are the type of people that only accept their religious practices as "true Christianity". Apart from the fact that Christians are required not judge their brothers and sisters this way (big No No) it is simply innacurate (see the link below).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desert_Fathers

This is the a lesson from the Desert Fathers and Mothers from the third century:

"Take care to be silent. Empty your mind. Attend to your meditation in the awe of God, whether you are resting or at work. If you do this, you will not fear the attacks of the demons."

Thanks, mikey, for your kind words and for that interesting link about the Desert Fathers/Mothers. It's not something I know a great deal about, so I think I'll do some reading up on it. I think that many modern Christians forget that "meditation" has been a prominent feature of the religious life since the earliest days. Scripture also tells us to "Be still and know that I am God..." I think that quite often our minds are so full of "stuff" that God gets crowded out, so it does us good to clear our minds of extraneous rubbish and let Him in whenever we can, and meditation is a great way to do that. I think I remember logos880 (on the DIF) saying that his form of meditation was to get involved in some manual labour, which of course was something else that the monks and nuns did (and still do).

Mandy

You are certainly right that meditation is at the very heart of the Christian mystical tradition.

You have one of the greatest examples in your sig.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich

Kudos for the Scripture quote: in fact there is a great modern documentary/reality show that I urge you to watch: the Big Silence. It talks about the importance of silence and meditation in daily life and how it is missing from modern living.

Thanks, mikey! That quote in my sig by Mother Julian of Norwich is one of my favourites, and one I often repeat to myself when I'm anxious about something!

The Scripture quote "Be still and know that I am God..." is from Psalm 46:10 (I had to look it up, lol, as I'd forgotten!)

That vid looks interesting - I will definitely watch it a little later, but now I must go and do housework and sort myself out properly for the day! (Aarrgh!). I'll definitely appreciate my evening meditation today, lol!

Mandy

I know theres many different ways of meditating (some would say daydreaming is actually meditation etc).

How do you guys do it? Any favourite method etc?

Well the techniques I originally learned through Aikido was what is often referred to as breathing meditation but it wasn't until I went to Japan that I experienced Kototama meditation (roughly described aas the use of mantra).

I also tried visualisation meditation which is very good for focusing the imagination. I find it easiest after I have relaxed my body with breathing techniques and then, much like a daydream, I visualise a building. Each time i return to this building inside and out room by room and it enables me to shed any worrisome thoughts that might be keeping me tense and awake.

Moving on to Christian mysticism: I have experienced the benefits of prayer, silent refletion (or listening with the heart) and lectio.

Put very briefly:

Meditation through prayer is a way of enngaging the body, mind and spirit in unison by repeating a phrase physically, bringing the mind back to its meaning and your intentions when it strays, and listening for movements in the depth of your being.

Silent reflection is a phenomenon by which you enter a retreat or sanctury and you seperate yourself from the busy-ness of the world. It can bery extremely distressing as you de-tox but after a day or so your senses open and you find yourself again, without the noise and distraction. You also become much more aware of the beauty of the world.

lectio is a way of reading that involves taking the time to exlplore the meaning of each word and phrase in its entirety. With a bit of practice it really sharpens the mind.

But I admit to being very much the novice at the above.

The techniques both Christian and non christian overlap all the time: many people maintain the distinction between Xtian and Buddhist is that while the latter seeks to empty the mind and the Xtian one seeks to fill the mind with thoughts relating to scripture howeverI would say that this is only partly true. Much of the aim of the christian mystical tradition is to listen to what our souls are trying to tell us.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_meditati...._Ignatius_of_Loyola

I've practiced what I guess could be considered free form meditation for a while now. In occult studies the practice of meditation is considered a pre-requisite to continue on to more advanced practice.

Having said that though...I think those who would criticize you for being "unchristian" are complete and utter hypocrites. I consider prayer to be a form of meditation as well,though it may be considered somewhat of a short-form. Fuck those people Mandy.

You do what you feel is Christian and if you believe in a God then i'm sure that God knows better than some forum douchebag what is truly in your heart.

Doc

Doc_Gonzo wrote:
It should be. But of course, there is always the risk of lip-service in prayer as there is in almost anything.
Doc_Gonzo wrote:
Now there is wisdom.

quietgirl wrote:
I'll move it to the Health/Diet/Healing section Mandy, if it's okay by you
Health after all isn't just about the body, it's about the mind and spirit and all that

irrepressible wrote:

irrepressible wrote:
Thanks, irrie - I think you're right!

@ Mikey - thanks for posting those interesting vids. I don't think I'd be very good at a sponsored silence, somehow (unless I was on my own, anyway!).

A while back we had a Bible study at my church on how to build "Sabbath moments" into our day, in these busy-busy times where few of us observe the actual Sabbath, as it's so important to take time out to re-group and reflect.

Mandy

]quietgirl wrote:
I didn't think I could either, but with the support and the peaceful enviroment, it becomes much easier.

This is where I went.

The hard thing is returning to the world.

That looks lovely, mikey - very conducive to peace and quiet! I've been on retreat in a couple of nice places myself - at La Retraite (which is in the centre of Bristol but is so peaceful with a beautiful garden that you're not really aware of the city at all), and also Nymphsfield convent near Gloucester. Wouldn't mind going on another retreat soon!

Mandy

Cool thread, Mandy. As for that berk back on dif, that wasn't a very Christian approach, was it?

Keep doing what you're doing, lovely.

Ab Origine wrote:
Thanks, abs - what a nice person you are!

Mandy