Comments on: What About Meditation? http://christianmystics.com/?p=359 A Journey Into The Presence of God Tue, 24 Aug 2010 19:39:01 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Arthur http://christianmystics.com/?p=359&cpage=1#comment-1097 Arthur Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:19:13 +0000 http://christianmystics.com/?p=359#comment-1097 Nice site here... I must confess I don't meditate at all, at least not in a purposeful manner where I sit down for some time in order to practice meditation. Maybe I will try it some time. My suggestion for Barry: Have you tried A Course In Miracles? Maybe it's not strictly "Christian mysticism", but it seems to fit your needs and I'm sure points to the same Truth as other works on mysticism. Jesus is portrayed as a sort of friend or brother who speaks to you in the book. There is a philosophical part where Jesus explains to the reader how Christianity (something like what you've been raised in I guess) has been distorting the truth about Him and He sets out to rectify that in the first part of the Course. He also explains how we're really one with God and that the world we see is a dream. The second part is a workbook with lots of different exercises (aka meditation) designed to make you see the Truth. By the way, when I can't fall asleep because of some nagging thoughts, I find reading Meister Eckhart is often helpful to relax, more so than Evelyn Underhill who is sometimes a bit technical as you say. Reading his Book of Divine Comfort, Talks of Instruction or numerous sermons, Meister Eckhart becomes your friend and guide. In my view, that's no worse than Jesus as a friend, if you can trust Eckhart, and why shouldn't you. In the end, of course, Jesus isn't your friend but who you are, as far as I understand it. And Meister Eckhart never tells you to "worship Jesus" but rather to surrender your will to God. Nice site here… I must confess I don’t meditate at all, at least not in a purposeful manner where I sit down for some time in order to practice meditation. Maybe I will try it some time.

My suggestion for Barry: Have you tried A Course In Miracles? Maybe it’s not strictly “Christian mysticism”, but it seems to fit your needs and I’m sure points to the same Truth as other works on mysticism. Jesus is portrayed as a sort of friend or brother who speaks to you in the book. There is a philosophical part where Jesus explains to the reader how Christianity (something like what you’ve been raised in I guess) has been distorting the truth about Him and He sets out to rectify that in the first part of the Course. He also explains how we’re really one with God and that the world we see is a dream. The second part is a workbook with lots of different exercises (aka meditation) designed to make you see the Truth.

By the way, when I can’t fall asleep because of some nagging thoughts, I find reading Meister Eckhart is often helpful to relax, more so than Evelyn Underhill who is sometimes a bit technical as you say. Reading his Book of Divine Comfort, Talks of Instruction or numerous sermons, Meister Eckhart becomes your friend and guide. In my view, that’s no worse than Jesus as a friend, if you can trust Eckhart, and why shouldn’t you. In the end, of course, Jesus isn’t your friend but who you are, as far as I understand it. And Meister Eckhart never tells you to “worship Jesus” but rather to surrender your will to God.

]]> By: Bryan W http://christianmystics.com/?p=359&cpage=1#comment-1057 Bryan W Sat, 09 May 2009 14:37:37 +0000 http://christianmystics.com/?p=359#comment-1057 Barry, I'm sorry that you find the authoritative elements of Sarah Young's portrayal of Jesus overwhelm the comforting aspects. I think your description of her approach is accurate, and I understand how this differs from what you're looking for. If I come across any writings that seem more in line with the portrayal you describe, I'll pass them along in another comment here. Barry,

I’m sorry that you find the authoritative elements of Sarah Young’s portrayal of Jesus overwhelm the comforting aspects. I think your description of her approach is accurate, and I understand how this differs from what you’re looking for. If I come across any writings that seem more in line with the portrayal you describe, I’ll pass them along in another comment here.

]]> By: barry http://christianmystics.com/?p=359&cpage=1#comment-1055 barry Fri, 08 May 2009 21:15:54 +0000 http://christianmystics.com/?p=359#comment-1055 Thank you for your kind comments and suggested reading. I have looked up sarah young but found the text while serene and comforting still portrays Jesus as masterly and an authorative figure as I remember from my early church days. He is depicted as saying things like "...worship me in the early morning when the due is fresh with the new day..." While I respect this I have recently read some mystical verses that depict Jesus putting himself forward as a friend to those he is teaching because they could communicate easier with a friend than someone in a position of power and authority. I would be interested in your comments and if you could suggest other texts. Best Wishes Barry Thank you for your kind comments and suggested reading.
I have looked up sarah young but found the text while serene and comforting still portrays Jesus as masterly and an authorative figure as I remember from my early church days. He is depicted as saying things like “…worship me in the early morning when the due is fresh with the new day…”
While I respect this I have recently read some mystical verses that depict Jesus putting himself forward as a friend to those he is teaching because they could communicate easier with a friend than someone in a position of power and authority.
I would be interested in your comments and if you could suggest other texts.
Best Wishes
Barry

]]> By: Bryan (not Robertson) http://christianmystics.com/?p=359&cpage=1#comment-1045 Bryan (not Robertson) Mon, 04 May 2009 17:40:01 +0000 http://christianmystics.com/?p=359#comment-1045 I've found the daily devotional "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young to be very useful. It isn't a "classical" mystical text, but it is written in the language of direct experience, with Jesus speaking directly to you. It addresses one's relationship with Jesus from many perspectives, touching on many aspects of daily life. I was raised a Southern Baptist and haven't found this devotional to trigger negative associations. To whet your appetite, here's today's devotional, which is representative of the tone and content: "Meet me in the morning stillness, while the earth is fresh with the dew of My Presence. Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. Sing love songs to My Holy Name. As you give yourself to Me, My Spirit swells within you till you are flooded with divine Presence. The world's way of pursuing riches is grasping and hoarding. You attain My riches by letting go and giving. The more you give yourself to Me and My ways, the more I fill you with inexpressible, heavenly Joy." I’ve found the daily devotional “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young to be very useful. It isn’t a “classical” mystical text, but it is written in the language of direct experience, with Jesus speaking directly to you. It addresses one’s relationship with Jesus from many perspectives, touching on many aspects of daily life. I was raised a Southern Baptist and haven’t found this devotional to trigger negative associations.

To whet your appetite, here’s today’s devotional, which is representative of the tone and content:

“Meet me in the morning stillness, while the earth is fresh with the dew of My Presence. Worship Me in the beauty of holiness. Sing love songs to My Holy Name. As you give yourself to Me, My Spirit swells within you till you are flooded with divine Presence.

The world’s way of pursuing riches is grasping and hoarding. You attain My riches by letting go and giving. The more you give yourself to Me and My ways, the more I fill you with inexpressible, heavenly Joy.”

]]> By: Brian Robertson http://christianmystics.com/?p=359&cpage=1#comment-1044 Brian Robertson Mon, 04 May 2009 13:18:56 +0000 http://christianmystics.com/?p=359#comment-1044 I have an idea or two that might be helpful -- but I wonder first if visitors might have some suggestions to pass on to Barry? Thanks -- Brian I have an idea or two that might be helpful — but I wonder first if visitors might have some suggestions to pass on to Barry?

Thanks –

Brian

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