Many people may not know that there has been a
'Christian' element to this phenomenon of
mysticism known as contemplative prayer or
centering prayer. This form of mystical prayer
has entered the Christian church primarily
through spiritual formation programs. Despite
the actual practice being centuries old, going
all the way back to the desert fathers in the
middle ages, it has only recently struck a
chord with many people within the numerous
branches or denominations that make up the
panoply of Christianity. New Agers and
those practicing Eastern religion regard
contemplative prayer as part of their own
movement.
Major Proponents of Contemplative
Prayer Advocate Eastern Religions.
One of the outstanding characteristics of the
contemplative prayer movement is what is known
as interspirituality. In effect, this means you
stay in your present religion but you absorb
the spiritual perspective of those within
Eastern thought -- Zen Buddhism, Sufism, Taoism
and Vedanta.
Finding the 'God' Within
It is important to note here that the purpose
of contemplative prayer is to enter an altered
state of consciousness in order to find ones
true self, thus finding God, or at least an
occult version of the One True God!
CONCLUSION: CONCLUSION
The Bible reveals that in the heart (center) of
man our true self is not 'God' but rather
sinful and wicked. The Bible also clearly warns
against repetitive prayer and also tells us we
cannot find God unmediated (i.e., without
Christ). Jesus never taught his disciples
techniques to attain oneness with God, but
rather spoke of Himself as the Way. In fact,
the entire New Testament was written to dispute
the idea that people can reach God through
religious efforts and reveals that Jesus Christ
is the only answer.
