Chanting of mantras and the practice of meditation are time-honoured traditions in oriental religions like Hinduism and Buddhism. Christians use the concept of chanting in a variety of ways in their prayer. The Divine Office or Prayer of the Church is a rhythmic recitation or singing of the Psalms in monastic communities. For a Christian the practice of meditation is the practice of an 'awareness' of God in Christ. Equally, at the heart of the practice of Christian meditation is the essential onslaught on the 'ego' so that we may be completely free from its domination. Prophet Isaiah says (30:15): "In conversion and tranquillity lies your salvation".

Read more here: » Spiritual Practices: Christian Mantras And Meditation

Christian Meditation: Trinity Divine and the Holy Streams 

"You have learnt that the laws of the Son of Man are seven. Now you shall know of the mystery of the three Holy Streams and the ancient way to traverse them; so shall you bathe in the light of heaven and at last behold the revelation of the mystery of mysteries: the law of God, which is One."

---The Teachings of The Elect from The Essene Gospel of Peace

This quote from one of JesusÕ little-known teachings provides not only a metaphor but also a much deeper insight as how to approach meditation.

Read more here: » Christian Meditation: Trinity Divine and the Holy Streams Trinity Divine and the Holy Streams

The practice of Christian meditation dates back to the beginning of Christianity; its objective is to daily 'empty the self' to experience the fullness of God. It is consonant with Jesus's invitation to his disciples to take up their cross daily and follow him. It is central to Easter celebrations, 'dying' to rise to a New Life.

The way of meditation is the way of silence. Silencing the ceaseless chatter of a mind buzzing with thoughts is not easy. The way to silence is the way of the mantra. Choosing a sacred word and repeating it from the beginning to the end of the period of meditation forms part of the essential teaching of Christian meditation. It is advisable to choose a word of four syllables and pronounce them with equal length. The recommended word in the Christian Tradition is Ma-ra-na-tha. In Aramaic, the language of Jesus's time, it means 'The Lord comes'.

(See also: Christian Meditation , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Christian Meditation: Christian Meditation - Death of the Self  

Hinduism vs Christianity: Hindu beliefs compared with Christian beliefs

Read more here: » Hinduism vs Christianity: Hindu beliefs compared with Christian beliefs

Silence is the womb of the tangible world. In the Christian Biblical version of Creation, God 'spoke' and the world came into being. With the pronouncing of the Word, speech became primary, but silence remained primordial.

The heart of Christian meditation is to return to this primordial state of being. It is a journey from words into the creative word of God; this Word is enveloped by silence. By its very nature, silence is unexploitable, often purposeless and for that reason very frightening.

(See also: Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Peace of Mind: Power of Silence

Christian hypnotherapy: One of the services offered by the Abunda Life Church, in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Its other services include Christian meditation (C.M.) and spiritual healing (prayer and the laying on of hands).

(See also: Christian hypnotherapy , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Christian Meditation Dictionary

Read more here: » Introduction to Meditation: How to Meditate

Asclepius was the Greek god of healing. His healing sanctuaries were found throughout the known Hellenic world. This tradition was active for almost 2000 years from around 1300 BCE to 500CE. In times of illness and when the physician was unable to help, one would turn to Asclepius for healing. Healing would come about through a visitation of the healing god (or one of his totems – the dog or snake) in a dream. The dream would then result in a spontaneous healing or an indication of what had to be done or undone to bring about healing.

Read more here: » Dream Healing: Asclepius and dream healing

Christ and Budda: Jesus Through Buddhist Eyes

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, speaking to a capacity audience in the Albert Hall in 1984 united his listeners instantly with one simple statement: "All beings want to be happy; they want to avoid pain and suffering." I was impressed at how he was able to touch what we share as human beings. He affirmed our common humanity, without in any way dismissing the obvious differences.

When invited to look at 'Jesus through Buddhist eyes', I had imagined that I would use a 'compare and contrast' approach, rather like a school essay. I was brought us as a Christian and turned to Buddhism in my early thirties, so of course I have ideas about both traditions: the one I grew up in and turned aside from, and the one I adopted and continue to practise within. But after re-reading some of the gospel stories, I would like to meet Jesus again with fresh eyes, and to examine the extent to which he and the Buddha were in fact offering the same guidance, even though the traditions of Christianity and Buddhism can appear in the surface to be rather different.

Read more here: » Christ and Budda: Jesus Through Buddhist Eyes

Christian Definition of True Reality

How does one define reality from the perspective of faith? St Anselm defines theology as "faith seeking understanding".

St Augustine, citing Plato, argued for the necessity of eternal, universal spiritual principles and laws on which our contingent and temporal realm of existence is based. For Augustine, God is the author and overseer of these principles and laws.

Making this Platonic distinction between the spiritual and material, early mediaeval Christianity came to value the spiritual realm of life far more than the material. The attendant dualistic anthropology led to an overvaluation of the development of the soul, in comparison to the body.

Read more here: » Christian Faith: Christian Definition of True Reality

Breathing Meditation: Radio Interview with Swami Prajnanananda Giri

This is a transcription of an interview with Swami Praj–anananda Giri for the "PhenomeNews" radio program in Detroit, USA, in December 1996.

Read more here: » Breathing Meditation: Radio Interview with Swami Prajnanananda Giri

According to a Los Angeles Times report, the book titled The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of Christ Within You claims that the three "Indian" wise men named him Isa, or "Lord" in Sanskrit. The book also tells us Jesus practiced yoga and meditation with the great sages in India during from age 13 to 30.

In the book Beyond Psychology , Osho says: "Jesus himself had travelled to India while he was young. The Bible has no account of him between the age of thirteen to thirty; The Bible has no account of where Jesus had been. This looks strange - a small life - he lived only thirty-three years - and in those thirty-three years The Bible has accounts of only three years, the last three years."

(See also: Jesus in India , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Jesus in India: Why Jesus Belongs to the East  

Inspiration to persist

Using in part the life of Joseph in the Bible as an example of one who persisted and found fulfillment despite severe obstacles, "Inspiration to persist" presents how the author has found that inspiration enables him to persist even when the going gets rough.

Read more here: » Christian Science: Inspiration to persist

Epiphany: Amid darkness, light

There's a temptation to feel a little bit of a letdown this time of year, even after a really great holiday season. And there's unrest in many places vying for center stage on news broadcasts around the world. Not all the darkness is outside; our hearts have been touched and saddened.

Read more here: » Christian Science: Epiphany - Amid darkness, light

Sacred Sexuality: The Principles and Practices of Tantric Yoga

We are in a season of accelerated personal and global awakening, a season that calls us to be clear about our values, our priorities, our soul purpose for this incarnation, and fundamentally, to be clear about our self-identity. But as metaphysics and mysticism go mainstream, great discernment is called for lest we bring along our old separate, fear-based self-identities that manifest the illusion of all lack and limitation.

Read more here: » Sacred Sexuality: The Principles and Practices of Tantric Yoga

The most well-known mystery in Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is said that three men died on crosses in occupied Palestine sometime during the fourth decade of the Christian era. The carrying out of a death sentence in this manner was a relatively routine matter. In this case, all three were convicted as disturbers of the Roman peace.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Life and Death: Central Mystery of Christian Faith

A Christian theological definition of Salvation according to CARM - The Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry:

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Salvation

See also: Salvation , Christianity, Body Mind and Soul

For more dictionary entries, see » Christian Meditation Dictionary

 This is a course in meditation. This course is for beginners and advanced alike. The process of meditation taught in these pages is easy and effortless. Anyone can do it because it is about finding out who you really are and bringing this realization into every moment of your life. We call this "Practicing the Presence." Your understanding will come from practicing the meditation taught here, and not from reading these words. The instructions in the lessons are as simple and straightforward as possible.

Read more here: » Introduction to Meditation: Introductory Class on Meditation

What makes the Good Book so good?

Article explores how the Bible has impacted the authorÕs life, including how what it taught her about God's goodness helped her when she faced financial struggles.

What makes the Good Book so good? Elements of adventure, history, biography, and poetry fill its pages. But that's true of countless books whose impact has faded over time. To me, the Bible isn't just a good book - it's a book about goodness. A record and celebration of how God makes His good nature known and felt in ordinary and extraordinary situations.

Read more here: » Christian Science: What makes the Good Book so good?

Christian Yoga: Wholistic modality promoted by the Institute of Wholistic Studies (at Our Lady of Lourdes Wellness Center), in Collingswood, New Jersey. it is a blending of body, mind, and spirit, and a process of releasing mental and physical limitations that hinder access to the Divine. Christian Yoga encompasses breathwork, meditation, and wholistic prayer.

(See also: Christian Yoga , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

For more dictionary entries, see » Christian Meditation Dictionary