Can Christians practice Heart Sutra meditation?

[sorrowful1]

Long before I converted to Christianity, I used to practise a lot of Buddhist Meditations and one was Heart Sutra. And although it is affiliated with Buddhism, the meditation itself doesn’t say/praise/worship (anything about) Buddha. It is just practising “Emptiness” - empty of desires, vice, greed etc.

It calmed my mind and body alike. However, it’s been long since I stopped doing it. Today, I thought about it again and was “tempted” to exercise it again - close the eyes, sit on a comfortable but not too leisurely, and chant the verse of Heart Sutra which is short and concise .

Has anyone done this kind of meditation? Would it be a blasphemy to do it? Or it wouldn’t be, because it doesn’t specifically take the name of Buddha or any other Divine figures (?)

 

[tagtotaloffice]

It wouldn’t be blasphemy, I myself used to practice Buddhist meditations. Although since it does serve a calming purpose, I figured I might as well mindlessly chant the Jesus Prayer or a Psalm instead. See this passage about the purely non spiritual aspects of doing this:

Saying the Jesus Prayer with the specific intent of experiencing a relaxed and healing meditative mindfulness is a Catholic application of the psychological concept of mindfulness meditation . For clarification here keep in mind that this prayer has two aspects, a psychological one and a spiritual one, which should be distinguished and understood.

1.	The Psychological Aspect. If you repeat in your mind any word or phrase, over and over, you can put a check on wandering thoughts. This in itself can bring you a sense of calmness and peace. The process is purely psychological, however, and does not depend on the meaning of the word or words you repeat. Such a psychological process is often called “centering prayer.”
2.	The Spiritual Aspect. When said merely as an aid to relaxation, the Jesus Prayer remains in the mind, but when said as a true prayer it descends into the heart to engender a warm spiritual desire for divine love.

Therefore, as you say the words of the prayer, turn your attention to your heart so as to allow an ardent love for God to fill it. Imagine yourself saying the words directly to Christ, as you would speak intimately to another person, and let your heart overflow with warmth. You will then find yourself engaged in four spiritual tasks: voicing the Holy Name of Jesus; acknowledging His divinity; crying for His assistance; and adoring His mercy.|

The practice of Catholic Mindfulness is a simple process: sit quietly, focus on your breathing, and without thinking of anything else pray the Jesus Prayer in its full spiritual aspect. In order to keep a focus on your breathing while reciting the Jesus Prayer, say the first part of the prayer as you slowly inhale, and then, as you slowly exhale, say the last part of the prayer.

[inhaling] Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God / [exhaling] have mercy upon me.

Then keep repeating this process for as long as you want, preferably for about a half hour.

From Learning to Pray | Praying constantly | Catholic Prayer in a holy spiritual life

If you are concerned about blasphemy, this may be Bette for you. Remember, if you believe a neutral thing to be sin or have doubts, don’t partake, since whatever is not from faith is sin. This is the principle Paul gives for stuff like this.

 

[Isearch]

I googled what Heart Sutra is. The ideas expressed in that chant are incompatible with Christianity.

 

[sorrowful1]

@tagtotaloffice oh, my!!! Thank you gazillions for the detailed answer. While going through it, I actually stopped for a while and attempted a short meditation with "Lord Jesus, Son of God , have mercy on me" . I think this is a most wonderful meditative form of all I’ve practised so far.

Your insight has opened my eyes a little bit wider. I think I won’t be going for any other meditations. Thank you once again, and God bless!!!

 

[sorrowful1]

@Isearch Meaning , I probably can’t do this meditation?

 

[Isearch]

Well all I am saying is that the meaning of the message in Heart Sutra is incompatible with Christianity. I am basing this on the translation of this chant.