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Nicro
Guest
Brainwashing? You could say the same about a monastery.
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Valke2
Guest
So far, thanks to you, I’ve had two nightmares involving me becoming one with George Bush.To recognize the President is to become one with GWB? Now how does that make sense? You are reading too much into the statement. It is true there is suffering. It is true there is impermanence. It is true that we cannot locate our “self” by means of our own thought processes. Observing these truths or part of these truths as they impact one’s life is the goal of the class.
I think it is a rather ambitious goal.
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notself
Guest
Clear your mind, grasshopper. They were only dreams.
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Valke2
Guest
Are you sure? Because when I woke up, my WMDs were gone!
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notself
Guest
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rossum
Guest
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Valke2
Guest
LOL. Funny link, thanks. 
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peary
Guest
Isn’t there a psalm which says something to the effect that one is to fill his mind with the words and things of God?
That would be the antithesis of ‘emptying’ one’s mind of everything.
That would be the antithesis of ‘emptying’ one’s mind of everything.
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notself
Guest
The meditation is not really emptying the mind of everything. It is focusing on the breath and then observing un-bidden thought come and go, returning to the breath as the focus.
One could use the Jesus prayer as a center of focus instead of the breath.
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Valke2
Guest
We are also called to listen to the still, small voice of God. A verse that implies that the voice of God can be drowned out by the noise of the profane.
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Future_Prodigy
Guest
and this would acheive the same end goal? So, this is essentially like the John main meditation with ‘maranatha’?
EVerytime a thought appears or your mind gets distracted you just bring it back to your mantra?
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Future_Prodigy
Guest
i’ve looked long and hard on this site and google and no where does it give you the pragmatics of the jesus prayer. Do you just repate the words like a mantra and anytime a thought or distraction comes into your head you return to the prayer? Cause i can constantly say a prayer in the back of my mind and be thinking other things. So, how does one pray this prayer properally. Are we to focus solely on the words, like a point of focus (as in breath meditation). Please do not post links as i have read most of them and they do not tell you anythin other than what the words are.
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notself
Guest
I looked it up John Main meditation and listened to the first video.
picasaweb.google.com/chma1792/PromotionalVideoForTheJourneyOfMeditation/photo?authkey=mm3Yl5zleJc#5099578413531036898
It is identical to a form of meditation which was taught by the Buddha 500 years before Christ.
Buddhists use a focus on the breath or the word buddho which means awake (or some other word). You say bud on the intake of breath and dho on the out breath. You could use abba which is recommended in the video and means father or you could use the word maranatha which is also recommended. Just time the syllables of the word with the in and out breath.
The results are the same as described in the video: increase in compassion, awareness, calmness, and kindness. Another important thing that this form of meditation does is enable you to observe your thoughts. For example, when anger arises, you “see” it arise and can get slightly ahead of it so you don’t lash out.
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notself
Guest
The video is pretty good. Here are the steps that were covered plus some that I have added based on my experience and the teachings of skilled meditators.
- pick a quiet place
- pick a quiet time of the day
- assume a comfortable position, It can be a straight backed chair with your feet flat on the floor. You do not have to sit on the floor.
- once you are in a comfortable upright position do not move around even if you are uncomfortable after a few minutes. Stillness is important.
- focus on your breath or a specific word. If your thoughts wander then observe that you have been thinking and refocus on your breath.
- re-focus as many times as you have to. Do not be discouraged if you can only focus on your breath or a word for a few seconds.
- try to "sit’ for at least 10 minutes at a time. Increase the time as you get used to meditating. There is no “correct” length of time.
Metta,
notself
R
rossum
Guest
According to Saying the Jesus Prayer: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.
Be careful to let the words follow your breath, do not force your breath to follow the words.
Yes. When you get distracted just start again on the next inhale.
rossum
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jjjhens
Guest
Last year I attended a 10 day Vipassana retreat. I found it to be time well spent, and an insightful endeavor. That being said, it is definitely not for everyone, and there were a handful of people who left early on in the retreat. I found the first few days to be tough sledding, but once I broke thru that initial barrier, I found it very worthwhile. It is not easy though to sit still in absolute silence for several hours, for 10 days straight. Your mind quickly starts coming up with reasons why you should be almost anywhere else but where you are. That’s the whole point, though, as it forces you (or rather you force yourself) to be still and quiet, and accept things simply as they are. To quote a famous verse from the Bible…be still and know that I am God!
As for me, I was fortunate to gain some deep spiritual insights during the retreat, which were direct experiences of God’s loving presence in both myself, and the universe at large. Perhaps a buddhist would explain it differently, but I am not a buddhist. I was pleased to read an article at the end of the retreat, though, discussing how the Jesuits have used Vipassana retreats as part of their formation study. Unfortunately, I don’t have a copy of that to share with you, but I did find this article online which may shed a little more light on the intersection of meditation and Christianity:
acu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/107466/Duffy_Eastern_Meditation_Techniques.pdf
It was a nice facility, in a beautiful setting, and the folks running the retreat were pleasant and professional. I do think you should have some experience with meditating, though, or else it will be like being thrown in the deep end without being able to swim. You are sitting for long periods of time, and it can be tough both psychologically and physically. It’s not a touchy/feely type of experience, nor is anyone trying to convert you or brainwash you. the lessons are played from a taped lecture, with teachers there to answer questions you may have in between the meditation sessions.
They prepared delicious, but simple, vegetarian meals for everyone, and room board is included too. It didn’t cost a penny. At the end of the course, though, you will have the opportunity to donate to help cover the cost of the course. However, there was absolutely no pressure to do so. (I did, as I found it worthwhile). The course was run by volunteers, folks who have attended the training before. As for me, I doubt I will return for another class. I learned what I needed too, and it’s up to me now as to how to incorporate it into my prayer life.
I should mention that I was a lapsed Catholic at the time of the retreat. Following it, though, I was inspired to delve into the rich, mystic tradition in our beautiful Catholic faith. For me, it was a real eye opener to realize that our church’s history is full of inspiring contemplative saints. In addition to meditating, I started attending mass on a regular basis again, praying rosaries, and spending time in eucharistic adoration. So overall, I can say that Vipassana meditation has enriched my prayer life, and helped me appreciate my Catholic faith on a deeper level now. I am also thinking about taking a discernment retreat at a monastery, as I can see now the possibility of living a contemplative life.
As for me, I was fortunate to gain some deep spiritual insights during the retreat, which were direct experiences of God’s loving presence in both myself, and the universe at large. Perhaps a buddhist would explain it differently, but I am not a buddhist. I was pleased to read an article at the end of the retreat, though, discussing how the Jesuits have used Vipassana retreats as part of their formation study. Unfortunately, I don’t have a copy of that to share with you, but I did find this article online which may shed a little more light on the intersection of meditation and Christianity:
acu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/107466/Duffy_Eastern_Meditation_Techniques.pdf
It was a nice facility, in a beautiful setting, and the folks running the retreat were pleasant and professional. I do think you should have some experience with meditating, though, or else it will be like being thrown in the deep end without being able to swim. You are sitting for long periods of time, and it can be tough both psychologically and physically. It’s not a touchy/feely type of experience, nor is anyone trying to convert you or brainwash you. the lessons are played from a taped lecture, with teachers there to answer questions you may have in between the meditation sessions.
They prepared delicious, but simple, vegetarian meals for everyone, and room board is included too. It didn’t cost a penny. At the end of the course, though, you will have the opportunity to donate to help cover the cost of the course. However, there was absolutely no pressure to do so. (I did, as I found it worthwhile). The course was run by volunteers, folks who have attended the training before. As for me, I doubt I will return for another class. I learned what I needed too, and it’s up to me now as to how to incorporate it into my prayer life.
I should mention that I was a lapsed Catholic at the time of the retreat. Following it, though, I was inspired to delve into the rich, mystic tradition in our beautiful Catholic faith. For me, it was a real eye opener to realize that our church’s history is full of inspiring contemplative saints. In addition to meditating, I started attending mass on a regular basis again, praying rosaries, and spending time in eucharistic adoration. So overall, I can say that Vipassana meditation has enriched my prayer life, and helped me appreciate my Catholic faith on a deeper level now. I am also thinking about taking a discernment retreat at a monastery, as I can see now the possibility of living a contemplative life.
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4elise
Guest
I think some people are drawn to this and when within the context of knowing that Jesus Christ, the son of God lived, died for our sins, and rose again - there can be much gained - but I do agree with some of the cautions offered, take time to ensure that your own faith development can be continued - Thomas Merton and others have certainly sought and found ways to take the best this experience – his writings may prove helpful for you. Blessings
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benidict
Guest
is this a type of Catholic meditation? a Catholic has no need to go into the eastern practices, seeing how we have our own tradition, and the tradition of the Jews in this area. have you ever tried first friday adoration, concentrating totally on the host, while saying all the mysteries of the rosary? have had some intense spiritual experiences doing this. also the rosary itself is a meditation. im not the only one. i learned this from older, “conservative” Catholics. and from my priest as well. also have been given other techniques from other Catholic priest. Peace
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Brywan
Guest
Two questions:
- Do you have a spiritual director?
- Have you diligently sought to school yourself in all that the Catholic Church has to teach on these same subjects? (Readings of the desert fathers, contemplatives, etc.)
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