Replies

radpolis,

I would urge anyone, in the strongest of possible terms, to avoid Transcendental Meditation (TM) like the plague.

I am completely serious.

It is a very dangerous practice, and not at all Biblical. I can post some guidance here, but you have Google at your fingertips. I suggest you do some searches of "Bible" and "Transcendental Meditation" or a combination of related terms.

If you are an honest searcher, what you find will be very instructional.

Quite simply, TM is a pagan, Hindu based mechanism that is completely out of phase with the fundamental foundation of Jesus Christ being the way, the truth, and the life. It is very dangerous. Anyone that dabbles in it is playing with the occult. The occult is a tool used by demons and Satan to ensnare the unsuspecting into a literal living hell.

What does the Bible teach about meditation?

As mentioned by a previous poster, TM is a completely different animal than "meditating" on scripture and holy things, as mentioned in the Psalms or Romans. Placing yourself into a trance-like state in an attempt to achieve something is definitely not the way the Bible reveals a Christian should behave. The Bible warns strongly against it. TM teaches that salvation is found within. It teaches inner divinity. It is completely un-Biblical.

Here is but one site that speaks towards this:

No amount of chanting, breathing, visualizing, or physical contortions will melt away the sin that separates us from the Lord of the cosmos—however "peaceful" these practices may feel. Moreover, Paul warns that "Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:14). "Pleasant" experiences may be portals to peril. Even yoga teachers warn that yoga may open one up to spiritual and physical maladies. The answer to our plight is not found in some "higher level of consciousness" (really a deceptive state of mind), but in placing our faith in the unmatched achievements of Jesus Christ on our behalf. If it were possible to find enlightenment within, God would not have sent "his one and only Son" (John 3:16) to die on the Cross for our sins in order to give us new life and hope for eternity through Christ's resurrection. We cannot raise ourselves from the dead. The biblical concept of prayer assumes that rational and meaningful communication between God and humans is possible. There is no summons to suspend rational judgment even when prayer through the Holy Spirit is "with groans that words cannot express" (Rom. 8:26). Nor should we repeat words meaninglessly to induce a trance (Matt. 6:7).

Last year, I read a book entitled "Hostage to the Devil" by Malachi Martin.

There were (I believe) five cases of possession and exorcism. Not all occult practices lead to complete possession (the worst affliction), however, all occult practices lead to destruction of our relationship with God.

In one of the cases, a university professor named "Carl" practiced a technique very, very similar to TM. He was deceived by a very powerful demon, and become completely possessed. It is a horrifying account if you read the entire case.

So, how does this relate to the debate tonight, and why is it relevant?

From my vantage point, as a Christian, we clearly have a woman (Crowley) who was raised in a nation where she had the freedom to worship God or to completely reject God. She chose the later.

Do not think that Satan is not real, and that he does not have an incredible interest in this election. We are on the battle front of good vs. evil - the future of our nation, or it's destruction. The fate of our relationship with Israel is at stake.

I do not think it is an accident that Crowley is moderating, and I do not think for a second that she will not attempt to influence this debate in a way that will attempt to protect the evil that is Barack Hussein Obama.