Subject: Re: Christian Responses to Martial Art and Meditation
Date: 13 Sep 1999 11:38:53 +1000
From: 
(Andrew Bromage)
Organization: Monash University
Newsgroups: aus.religion.christian

G'day all.

Richard Kerr <>
writes:
>But even if you were chanting a name, say "Bruce", does that mean that
>you are inviting the spirit of Bruce to possess you? Doesn't that sound
>like something out of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Apparently, "Jesu" makes a good meditation chant. The two easy-to-
pronounce syllables with no hard fricatives make relaxation and
concentration pretty easy. Christians who want to try meditation might
like to start off with that, and maybe work up to "pater noster".

>What gets me about this sort of thing is that it sounds a lot like
>superstition - that is the belief that words or actions have some sort
>of magical power.

That's right. It's not magic at all. It's self-discipline.

Many religions other than Christianity have this concept of control over
your body and understanding yourself through physical exercise and
meditation. It's unfortunate that we don't.

For some reason, this reminds me of the Cameron Semmens poem which
described how "I underestimate myself, I push myself too far, I neglect
myself..." and so on, then ends: I love my neighbour as myself. They move.

Cheers,

Andrew Bromage