[pby]

From a former Willow Creeker (http://www.cephas-library.com/renovare_willow_creek.html):

Many good Christian leaders have difficulty perceiving the spirit of compromise. I went back to Willow Creek earlier this year only to discover my plans to serve in the women's ministry as a Biblical "Titus 2 woman" serving the younger were, in actuality, going to be a "spiritual guide" for a New Age Movement. Mystic ways of praying (repeating and meditation) and relating to God were being taught along with frequent references to Quakers. Terms like "covenant", "covenant groups", and "lectio divina" where frequently used. They gave out free books in the mentor training class in January (Sacred Companions by David G. Benner, and Spiritual Mentoring by Keith Anderson & Randy Reese). One class included a clip from the movie The Matrix. The movie was recommended and had keen insight for us in some way. We were told to avail ourselves to the classics of Roman Catholic mystics, and do timelines on our lives.

....The classics the women's ministry were instructing us to "avail to" were mystical writings from around the forth to fifteenth century. The mystics taught how to unclutter the mind and remove any rational thought so the mind is totally passive. This opened them up for the "Presence of God" which is actually a form of Zen meditation. Quaker quietists believe in a similar manner that "God is within" and they believe a "Quiet Revolution" is coming and declare there will be a coming incomparable "harvest." They are predicting the greatest harvesting of souls in the history of the world. An important difference to understand is that the Holy Spirit indwells us when we accept Jesus Christ and the occult meaning behind the concept of "the god within," "the light within," or "the Christ within" has a different meaning.

It's a strategy for ecumenism without regard for doctrine. Renovare is the organization behind this movement out of the traditions of Quakerism and it is directed by Rich Foster and William L. Vasivig.

At the Wednesday night service at WCCC we were introduced to a "spiritual formation leader", Mindy Caliguire. This was a special night of prayer for those who had concerns about our situation in Iraq and it was a last minute idea to fill-in because Randy Travis cancelled his concerts. It had received TV coverage due to the Iraq situation. This guide was not on TV but she led us in ways best described as of the "New Age." We were instructed to relax our arms and put our palms up and be silent and meditate. She was praised by Bill Hybels for how "deeply" she had just been praying and was introduced as someone who is very actively working behind the scenes in the spiritual direction of the elders and the church.

[Lilllabettt]

"Lectio Divina" is the Benedictine method of reading and meditating on the Holy Scriptures.

The steps of lectio are:

1. Read the scripture
2. Meditate on the Scripture, ( think about what it's saying to you, what it means to your life with Christ, etc.
3. Pray, speak directly to God about what you've thought
4. Contemplate (this step may or may not happen ... its an experience of the closeness of the Holy Spirit which only God can give

Most people who are in the practice of prayerful reading of the Bible (Protestants included) follow these steps more or less automatically. The guidelines are there to help beginners.

When I was in the convent, we learned about the distinction between contemplative prayer and Eastern meditation. The two are total opposites.

In Eastern meditation, the mind is emptied. A mantra is used to clear thoughts of any kind. Inner peace and tranquility, which is the goal of the practice, is something that can be produced, achieved through human effort.

Authentic Christian meditation, on the other hand, has the goal of filling the mind ... with God. Christian meditation involves pondering and considering and applying ... Also, in Christian meditation, the contemplative stage cannot be produced by any human effort. Many people pray and never experience contemplation. This doesn't mean that they are "doing it wrong." Feelings of peace and tranquility are not the goal of Christian meditation. If you pray and don't experience those things, it doesn't mean you've "failed." The goal of Christian meditation is worship and praise.

I get where this former Willow Creek person is coming from. We were taught this distinction to help us avoid getting into the New Age practices that some Christians were trying to pass off as authentic prayer.

My point is, if she got New Age stuff, that is NOT authentic Catholic mysticism. St. Teresa, St. Augustine, St. Benedict etc. would roll in their graves.