Eastern Meditation Meets Christianity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Eastern Meditation Meets Christianity - Essay Example This type of meditation is a practical way to achieve real peace of mind, and leads to a deeper wisdom and clearer understanding of the truth. Misconceptions: There are some common misconceptions about meditation in Western countries. Some people think that "meditation is not for them because they are Christians, or that meditation is about just sitting and thinking nothing." In fact, meditation is about reality-seeing things as they are. There are no beliefs to adopt which might conflict with one's religion. Although there are some differences between Christian and Eastern spiritual practice, both of them share many similarities in the practice of listening to the spirit, the method of prayer and meditation and the spiritual and mental changes these bring about. All religious traditions, not only Buddhism and Christianity have different processes, movements and transformations for seeking answers from spiritual sources. Each faith tradition has grown over so many centuries and has been practiced in different societies and cultures. There is a fundamental difference between Christianity and Buddhism. The Buddha teaches people to remain fully in the realm of human experience, but Christ offers us a hope outside ourselves. The hope of a Christian is to have faith in God and Jesus Christ, but not in man or the earthly life. One of the main goals of meditation is to learn by observing what is going on in our bodies, our feelings, our mind and our worlds. The continual process of meditation greatly enhances our understanding of things around us. However, Christians mainly focus on developing more faith and a better relationship with God and Jesus Christ through prayer, using this to communicate with God, and possibly receive a personal revelation from Him, described sometimes as the Spirit of the Lord. But if we look at how people participate in meditation and prayer, we can highlight the similarities between the Buddhist and Christian approaches to spiritual practices. Meditation can lead to spiritual communion with God through the Holy Spirit. President David O. McKay (date) from the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints explains We pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. Meditation is the language of the soul. It is defined as a form of private devotion, or spiritual exercise, consisting in deep, continued refection on some religious theme. Even Jesus Christ also meditated during the forty days of fasting; he communed with himself and his father, and contemplated upon the responsibility of his great mission. One result of this spiritual communion was such strength as enabled him to say to temper "...Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only salt thou serve." (Matthew 4:10.) What is Meditation: In Buddhism, meditation plays an important role in developing peace, compassion and awareness. Challenges and afflictions in life make the Kositjaroenkul 3 heart yearn for the a perfection of peace, a pure love from someone, and compassion flowing through our hearts. When beginning the process of meditation, a person will focus on clearing the minds from everything around them. It is a moment of peace, calmness and mindfulness. The next part of the