Christian and Zen meditation?

[deserthermit]

I’ve been a Roman Catholic all my life but only now have I begun to focus my attention on Christ. The reason is that I have health issues which I would rather not talk about and it’s got me wondering about death, the afterlife and G-d.

I’ve done a whole lot of research and I think it’s confused me more than I already was. I “think” I believe in G-d, in Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, but my faith has never been so tested as it has right now. I’m at the breaking point on what I should be following.

It was then that I found a book by Father William Johnston. He (I believe and PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong) thinks it is ok for Christians to practice Buddhist forms of meditation.

Is it ok for me to practice Buddhist forms of meditation and still be a Christian? Does the Catholic Church allow this practice or is it heresy? I though of bringing this up with better educated minds than my own before practicing meditation.
**
P.S.
I have no intention of venerating Buddha! I worship G-d and G-d alone as it says in the First Commandment. I simply want to use Buddhist forms of meditation to get closer to my G-d.**

 

[rossum]

I’ve been a Roman Catholic all my life but only now have I begun to focus my attention on Christ. The reason is that I have health issues which I would rather not talk about and it’s got me wondering about death, the afterlife and G-d.

I’ve done a whole lot of research and I think it’s confused me more than I already was. I “think” I believe in G-d, in Jesus and the Blessed Virgin, but my faith has never been so tested as it has right now. I’m at the breaking point on what I should be following.

It was then that I found a book by Father William Johnston. He (I believe and PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong) thinks it is ok for Christians to practice Buddhist forms of meditation.

Is it ok for me to practice Buddhist forms of meditation and still be a Christian? Does the Catholic Church allow this practice or is it heresy? I though of bringing this up with better educated minds than my own before practicing meditation.
**
P.S.
I have no intention of venerating Buddha! I worship G-d and G-d alone as it says in the First Commandment. I simply want to use Buddhist forms of meditation to get closer to my G-d.**

Some forms of Buddhist meditation have no religious content, such as counting breaths. If you explain your situation then it is possible to find religiously neutral meditations.

If you do not want to use Buddhist meditation then use a Christian meditation. The closest to Buddhist meditation I have seen is Saying the Jesus Prayer:Bishop Kallistos Ware says that if we pray the Jesus Prayer for short periods, ten or fifteen minutes at the beginning, then there is no problem matching the words of the prayer to our breath. We are to breathe naturally, without playing with the rhythm of the breath. On the inhale, we can say, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God.” On the exhale, we can say, “have mercy on me, a sinner.” We are to breathe and pray slowly and reverently and attentively.

If you do decide to try this for yourself then please be aware of Bishop Ware’s warning:But those who have no personal contact with starets [teacher] may still practice the Prayer without any fear, so long as they do so only for limited periods - initially, for no more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time - and so long as they make no attempt to interfere with the body’s natural rhythms.
You need to let the prayer follow your breathing; do not make your breathing follow the prayer.

rossum

 

[DDClark]

Have you investigated The World Community for Christian Meditation? They have a very good website where you will find, I believe, Catholic priests and others who practice meditation.

I am not Catholic, but Christian (conservative Anglican) and have a friend who is Buddhist. It is my understanding and personal experience (I recently participated in his meditation group) that meditation has nothing to with worshiping Buddha.

My desire to practice meditation is also to become closer to Christ and the Father. I feel I’ve not spent nearly enough time “with” God in prayer (in other words, I’ve spent too much time talking!) My mantra, by the way, was/is “Abba Father”.

I wish you the best in your search.

ddc

 

[DDClark]

Some forms of Buddhist meditation have no religious content, such as counting breaths. If you explain your situation then it is possible to find religiously neutral meditations.

If you do not want to use Buddhist meditation then use a Christian meditation. The closest to Buddhist meditation I have seen is Saying the Jesus Prayer:Bishop Kallistos Ware says that if we pray the Jesus Prayer for short periods, ten or fifteen minutes at the beginning, then there is no problem matching the words of the prayer to our breath. We are to breathe naturally, without playing with the rhythm of the breath. On the inhale, we can say, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God.” On the exhale, we can say, “have mercy on me, a sinner.” We are to breathe and pray slowly and reverently and attentively.

If you do decide to try this for yourself then please be aware of Bishop Ware’s warning:But those who have no personal contact with starets [teacher] may still practice the Prayer without any fear, so long as they do so only for limited periods - initially, for no more than ten or fifteen minutes at a time - and so long as they make no attempt to interfere with the body’s natural rhythms.
You need to let the prayer follow your breathing; do not make your breathing follow the prayer.

rossum

I completely agree. I am also praying the Jesus Prayer. I’ve found Bishop Ware’s lectures online to be very helpful.

 

[deserthermit]

What does the Catholic Church say about this?

 

[DDClark]

What does the Catholic Church say about this?

Have you talked with your priest or a priest about this?

I think that a forum like this, while a wonderful way to share ideas, is not the way for you to find the definitive answer that you need.

ddc

 

[deserthermit]

Have you talked with your priest or a priest about this?

I think that a forum like this, while a wonderful way to share ideas, is not the way for you to find the definitive answer that you need.

ddc

As I mentioned before I have “health issues” which has affected me physically which includes my voice.I did talk to a priest once and he promised to visit me, but he never came (either he was too busy or forgot). I got tired of waiting so I used the Internet

 

[ibkc]

Zen meditation will not help you focus on Christ. In Zen meditation, you are not supposed to focus on anything. When thoughts come into your head, you are to let them pass by and not dwell on them.

There are many different types of meditation, and Zen is only one. If you wish to focus on Christ, I would investigate the techniques that Christian mystics have historically used.

 

[deserthermit]

Zen meditation will not help you focus on Christ. In Zen meditation, you are not supposed to focus on anything. When thoughts come into your head, you are to let them pass by and not dwell on them.

There are many different types of meditation, and Zen is only one. If you wish to focus on Christ, I would investigate the techniques that Christian mystics have historically used.

Would you say sitting in quite and focusing on G-d and Christ is enough?

 

[ibkc]

Would you say sitting in quite and focusing on G-d and Christ is enough?

I would absolutely say that! Although I don’t speak for anyone but myself, and I have no idea what the Church’s official stances are on the various styles of meditation.

 

[deserthermit]

thank you all who took the time to read this post and answering

 

[Lev23]

Zen meditation will not help you focus on Christ. In Zen meditation, you are not supposed to focus on anything. When thoughts come into your head, you are to let them pass by and not dwell on them.

Very true. We Christians are to meditate on God’s Word. How can this be if we meditate like Zen meditation?

There are many different types of meditation, and Zen is only one. If you wish to focus on Christ, I would investigate the techniques that Christian mystics have historically used.

What “techniques” can their be to meditate on God’s Word?