easter medtation (samatha, vipassana, zazen) compatible with christianity?

[Future_Prodigy]

I am very intriqued by Eastern doctorines of belief and drawn to them most of time as they are very pragmatic in nature in eradicating the suffering of the mind. I am overjoyed with the notion of being able to achieve a state of peace and tranquility in ones mind. I understand Christianity has centering prayer coming back but thats for another thread. My question is exactly what the title says. Is eastern meditation compatible? I have read os many articles by priests and nuns that have gone on 10 day vipassana retreats and said this si what we teach to. This boggles my mind though, the buddha dharma (buddhism) teaches anatma, or no soul. How can any self respecting christian affiliate themselves with a system of belief whose number one tenet is anatman and egolessness. Christianity teaches the exact opposite, we have a soul! This is ignoring the whole issue of samsara (cycle of rebirths or reincarnation) too!

 

[LilyM]

I am very intriqued by Eastern doctorines of belief and drawn to them most of time as they are very pragmatic in nature in eradicating the suffering of the mind. I am overjoyed with the notion of being able to achieve a state of peace and tranquility in ones mind. I understand Christianity has centering prayer coming back but thats for another thread. My question is exactly what the title says. Is eastern meditation compatible? I have read os many articles by priests and nuns that have gone on 10 day vipassana retreats and said this si what we teach to. This boggles my mind though, the buddha dharma (buddhism) teaches anatma, or no soul. How can any self respecting christian affiliate themselves with a system of belief whose number one tenet is anatman and egolessness. Christianity teaches the exact opposite, we have a soul! This is ignoring the whole issue of samsara (cycle of rebirths or reincarnation) too!

There are plenty of threads here already about centering prayer - if you want, do a search and read them.

The basic answer is no, and you’ve precisely hit the biggest nail on the head as to WHY. Such beliefs as extinction of the self (which essentially is what nirvana is), ‘emptying’ oneself (to be filled with what, I wonder?) and reincarnation, are just too antipathetic to Christianity and Catholicism.

There are plenty of well-tested and respected Catholic and Christian meditative techniques that can be used, such as Lectio Divina, or the Jesus Prayer.

 

[rossum]

I am very intriqued by Eastern doctorines of belief and drawn to them most of time as they are very pragmatic in nature in eradicating the suffering of the mind. I am overjoyed with the notion of being able to achieve a state of peace and tranquility in ones mind. I understand Christianity has centering prayer coming back but thats for another thread. My question is exactly what the title says. Is eastern meditation compatible? I have read os many articles by priests and nuns that have gone on 10 day vipassana retreats and said this si what we teach to. This boggles my mind though, the buddha dharma (buddhism) teaches anatma, or no soul. How can any self respecting christian affiliate themselves with a system of belief whose number one tenet is anatman and egolessness. Christianity teaches the exact opposite, we have a soul! This is ignoring the whole issue of samsara (cycle of rebirths or reincarnation) too!

Buddhist meditation is a practical method, it does not contain much of the theory side of Buddhism at the early stages. On a ten day course nobody is going to get near the more advanced meditations: it took the Buddha six years from leaving home to enlightenment.

The starting meditations are as simple as counting breaths or suchlike, nothing contrary to Catholic doctrine.

If you want something close to Buddhist meditation but from within the Christian tradition then I would suggest Saying the Jesus Prayer.

If you do decide to start then please do not meditate for more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time until after you have had some teaching. Remember: Meditation is Boring!

rossum

 

[suupah]

I think they can be compatible because in christianity you are supposed to forsake yourself. In buddhism you are supposed to not take yourself very seriously. The motives and methods may be different but both i think are addressing the soul killing nature of our selfish beings.

 

[Future_Prodigy]

yeah but they teahc that we are nothing beyond our mental and physical process (our 5 aggregates) and any clinging to a ‘me’ or self is causign suffering and this belief has to be abandoned to reach true happiness. This is contradictive to chrstianity which teaches the exact opposit. I want to attend a 10 day vipassana course but am worried what will happen. I find christianty very appealing intellectucally but completly unsatisfying pragmatically. THis is why I am attracted to buddhism. There are exercises and gurus to go and study under to releve stress, anger and achieve happiness, compassion and love. Christianity teaches this but the whole just pray and read scripture thing does nothing for me. Also, i hate when others say go read other threads. Any serious practioner of meditation knows you CAN NOT learn to meditate via reading, it has to be done under a teacher. So, I will not start any meditation practice by just reading something.

 

[rossum]

yeah but they teahc that we are nothing beyond our mental and physical process (our 5 aggregates) and any clinging to a ‘me’ or self is causign suffering and this belief has to be abandoned to reach true happiness. This is contradictive to chrstianity which teaches the exact opposit. I want to attend a 10 day vipassana course but am worried what will happen. I find christianty very appealing intellectucally but completly unsatisfying pragmatically. THis is why I am attracted to buddhism. There are exercises and gurus to go and study under to releve stress, anger and achieve happiness, compassion and love. Christianity teaches this but the whole just pray and read scripture thing does nothing for me. Also, i hate when others say go read other threads. Any serious practioner of meditation knows you CAN NOT learn to meditate via reading, it has to be done under a teacher. So, I will not start any meditation practice by just reading something.

I would suggest that you attend the course, retain the useful techniques and dump the theory that you do not like. If a technique is useful then use it for yourself in a Christian context.

rossum