Curious Christian

I find it interesting to observe how meditation practice is both similar and dissimilar between different spiritual traditions – between monotheists (Christianity, Islam), pantheists (Buddhism, Taoism) and polytheists (Paganism, Shamanism). A pagan example is the Earth Mystic Meditation Circle

The Earth mystic meditation circle is a community of individuals who wish to explore the benefits of meditation and other sustained spiritual disciplines, within a communal and ritual framework devoted to the tradition of Goddess and nature spirituality. We are non-sectarian and non-dogmatic: instead of telling one another what to believe, we assist one another in achieving our goals in terms of meditative practice and discipline. The meditation circle is open to the sincere followers of all positive paths, but its ceremonial style is primarily eclectic Wiccan.

At our meetings we set aside time for meditation instruction, meditation, group sharing, and journaling. We usually honor the earth through the elements of air, fire, water, and earth, and honor the Divine as Goddess and God. The meditation circle is free, although a love offering is take to help defray expenses related to refreshments and supplies.

“Meditation” is defined broadly within our community. We see it as “the art of inner listening.” This includes not only the common idea of Zen-style contemplation, but also visualization, shamanic trancework, drumming, chanting, and magical pathworking. Basically, any discipline designed to foster greater development of inner listening, from ancient spiritual practices to modern consciousness-management skills, falls under the umbrella of what the Earth mystic community considers to be meditation.

Many people today make the assumption that meditation is inherrantly pantheistic, that is, that a commitment to meditation implies a commitment to believing we are all part of one universal life force and that there is no essential distinction between Creator and creation. Partly due to the success of Buddhism and yoga in the west I suppose. Well, this should make clear that Christians aren’t the only ones who question this assumption.