I came across this photo as an introduction to a podcast on Universal Mindfulness:
“This is a Buddhist Philosophy Channel, where discussions on spirituality and Christianity will be held on the pursuit of enlightenment as we walk the path of the Dharma and follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.”
So the steps of Jesus and Buddha were the same? No distinction? Does crucifixion strike you as a comfortable meditation position?
Curious Christian 
Catholics do meditate on the Pascal Mystery. Not sure it is the same as a Buddhist meditation. I have come to believe that Jesus set out to be crucified to show us that there is life after “death” and that we are not our physical bodies. Have I strayed too far from Christianity?
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Mediation on the Pascal Mystery is very different from Buddhist meditation in some ways. You may find this open letter on mediation from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, while Ratzinger/Benedict was in charge of it, of some interest:
http://mattstone.blogs.com/christian/2008/03/christian-meditation-a-catholic-perspective.html
I think there is a lot worth chewing on in this article. The document sets some guidelines for meditation from a Catholic perspective, and though I’m a protestant, I find much I agree with. I think you’ll find pascal meditation is not excluded by it.
The only way I would differ is with the comment “we are not our physical bodies”. I would affirm humans as a mind-body unity.
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Yeah, Matt, hafta agree about the holistic reality of the human being.
I’d be interested to see what the Buddhist Philosophy Channel would have to say about “meditating” on the Scriptures in which Jesus Christ was “steeped” over his earthly lifetime and also what they would have to say about exactly which God Jesus Christ confirmed was the one we should love with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength (as well as loving our ‘neighbours’ as we love ourselves)! And of course, then there is also the issue of how we tackle the business of taking up our own respective crosses (Matthew 16:24)
From the Amplified Bible
Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [[a]cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].
I have some wonderful creative friends who have just produced and/or are in the processes of producing some Christian Meditation resources which affirm and engage the entire being (body, mind/soul, spirit) in the practice. Happy to pass on details if anyone is interested 🙂
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Yes I would be interested in that.
Personally, the style of meditation I find most helpful is ‘listening prayer’ which I often practice when walking or just sitting or when reading the scriptures. I actually quite holistic, listening with heart, mind, body and soul. In the process I find my preconceptions about Jesus and his ways stripped away.
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OK, when I said “Just produced”, I mean hot off the printing and DVD press, not boxed and packaged yet, literally. Will let you know once advertising and ordering processes are organised. I can say that (pronounced Kah-rah-My-ahn) created by Mary Jones; and to give you an idea, I quote from the booklet:
“CaraMayan is standing movement meditation that brings peace and focus in the spirit.
CaraMayan is a pattern of movements and breathing that is set to a prayer or scripture.
CaraMayan gently warms up the body as it engages heart and mind.
CaraMayan the name comes from words that mean to bow and a spring or well.
CaraMayan can be moved outside or inside, by yourself or in a group.”
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You’ll have to give me a demo 🙂
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Hi Matt
Just attended the 7th Christian International Dance and Creative Arts Conference and took part in the CaraMayan Workshop with Mary Jones. Absolutely amazing, so beautiful and my collegues and I have bought the DVD and Cd to lean and hopefully teach within our home towns near Manchester, England.
Wow, watch this space.
God Bless.
Mel
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Dear Matt Stone,
I found on Internet your blog with that photo (above) and I would like to ask its owner for permition to use it in my polish site which is translations site from Kim Michaels site “The Mistical Teaching of Jesus”. Would you, please, give me address to that Buddhist Philosophy Channel (owner). I intend to use that photo to illustrate a text on “What is a difference between Buddha and Christ” wchich is taken from K. Michaels´bok “Master Keys to Personal Christhood”.
Regards
P Kontny
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Sorry, I can’t find the Buddhist Philosophy Channel or the Universal Mindfulness podcast any more. I wonder if its been taken down. It was from 6 years ago.
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