tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post2200764964547677257..comments2024-02-08T10:33:22.915+13:00Comments on Available Light: The Golden WorldKelvin Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16682322819567886400noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-24478238808586103822014-03-05T15:10:57.010+13:002014-03-05T15:10:57.010+13:00Certainly the sorts of inner experience that happe...Certainly the sorts of inner experience that happen in meditation aren't usually worth the effort of commenting about. Sometimes interesting, but meaningless. And yes, building a sense of accomplishment because you can produce "visions" or peaceful states isn't going to get you anywhere. <br /><br />A true spiritual experience is another matter. They are gifts from God, and are always given for a purpose. Sometimes, as in the case of Isaiah it is very important to talk about them. Take Dame Julian of Norwich, for example; her entire life's work and her gifting to the world of Revelations of Divine Love are an outworking of her talking about her spiritual experience. But as Merton says, even the real McCoy sets traps which are subtle and difficult to avoid.<br /><br />(All this begs the question: how do you tell a true spiritual experience? Partial Answer: if you have to ask, it's not. More complete answer: look at the long term effect on your life [as judged by others, not by yourself]If it transforms you in a Christward direction that's a pretty good indication that it is) <br /><br />You are very welcome to borrow my set of the Golden World CDsKelvin Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682322819567886400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-75915812332729907952014-03-05T13:59:04.927+13:002014-03-05T13:59:04.927+13:00Oh thanks, Kelvin. I certainly get those points.
S...Oh thanks, Kelvin. I certainly get those points.<br />So people wouldn't comment on or talk about their "spiritual" experience, even IF they could find the words, because that's not why a Christian meditates. (the ego would have a ball?)<br />I think Thomas Merton was a very wise man, too. Thanks for the reference to "The Golden World" - have just listened to a sample. <br /><br />Kelvin, may this Lent and the Hikoi bring you more insights about life, the universe and everything! We pray especially for the sharing of the gospel with those you meet along the way.NIEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-8303416550226162202014-03-05T09:39:06.387+13:002014-03-05T09:39:06.387+13:00That's kind of my point, Noelene.
But .... s...That's kind of my point, Noelene. <br /><br />But .... sitting still and calmly letting your breath settle, holding a simple mantra in your mind or coming back to your Centering Prayer anchor point (spoken, visual or kinesthetic)will have certain physiological/ psychological effects. One of these is a feeling of deep peace and calm - or it can be. Others are seeing certain colours, and, rarely various little cognitions such as sounds or smells. My point is that these are mere by products of the process and have absolutely no value or meaning in themselves. There are however some schools of meditation (not Christian I might hasten to add) usually run by the sort of meditation "teacher" whose qualifications are having once read a book on the subject and/or having been to a 3 day course, for whom these epiphenomena are the goal and aim of meditation; and who teach that producing them in yourself is a harbinger of imminent self realisation. They are misguided.<br /><br />Practice. Discipline. In CP terms practicing giving assent to God. Learning to be in the Divine presence without comment, analysis, seeking after great revelation. This is what Christian meditation is. Kelvin Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16682322819567886400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170814845771372625.post-14705903156268755542014-03-05T09:06:50.530+13:002014-03-05T09:06:50.530+13:00Thanks for the post. But you have me worried about...Thanks for the post. But you have me worried about the penultimate paragraph…<br />"In meditation there is a deep sense of inner stillness and peace. These two phenomena are merely mild trance states……."<br />Kelvin are you talking about Christian meditation here? <br />Laurence Freeman and the WCCM explain the practice - and emphasise that it IS a practice and discipline - as being the opposite of a trance-like state. We are fully alert, no expectations, no evaluations, just "being" in the Presence. Not imagining anything? <br />But you know all that, 'cos I learned it from you :)NIEnoreply@blogger.com