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This might be of some help for people who need a bit of existential clarity or mental rearranging; but in the end it is just pop Hindu Yoga techniques, with a pinch of Budhism thrown in. No matter how well an adept can focus and manipulate his psychic energy, attain samdhi, or enter nirvana, he is still separated from God by his sins, whether they be degraded lusts or lofty spiritual pride.

The fact is, we are ALL dead in trespasses and sins until God makes us alive within by the power of the Spirit through believing the Gospel. Our truest and deepest need is to be reconnected to the Living God of Scripture. This is why Jesus came and made atonement on altar of the Cross - not to rearrange, revamp or dress-up the old sin nature, but to crucify it, fill us with the Spirit and grant us eternal (divine) life - now, and forever. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have Life, and that more abundantly." All else is useless effort and vain hope - no matter how it titilates the soul or stimulates the mind.

Nancy,

For me, meditating is listening to God.

"clearing out, cleaning up, and deeply cleansing"........................

i see nothing wrong with clearing out & cleaning up what i allow myself to filter through my brain - it is our responsibility to make good conscientious efforts to think rightly......now the cleansing part is some i realize i cannot do - that is only accomplished thru the blood of Jesus.

i believe nikos is simply saying that if one is to believe "they" can achieve a higher level of spiritual growth based solely upon self help, then they are misguided.

nancy i can agree that 'meditation' ( i.e. to engage in contemplation or reflection) allows us opportunity to hear what God is saying.

Bless your heart Nikos. I know you mean well, but when did you stop listening? Why do you stay in the pulpit 24/7? Truly, you have a lot to offer, but it's covered up in paragraphs of preaching. Have you ever thought about taking a sabbatical and going to a quiet place of reflection for a month--a place where you simply listen?

Annonymous, Thanks for the suggestion. Certainly, we all need to listen and meditate more. I'll try to take your advice.

However, in Psalm 1, the psalmist clearly delineates what meditation is for the child of God, OT and NT: "In His LAW doth he meditate day and night."

"Listening," therefore, is a matter of intelligently contemplating the content of God's Word, not bowing down to our "inner voice." This involves reading the Scriptures in faith and submission; which in turn reveals God to the mind and heart; which issues forth in praise and worship. After this, the heart is truly disposed toward God and can pray wisely and compassionately; and THEN quietly meditate upon God and His will in a state of receptive quietude.

But using Yogic techniques to plumb one's own unredeemed inner "wisdom" is extremely risky and dangerous. All kinds of stupid and quirky ideas have come forth from that source - within and outside the Church.

The Scripture teaches that we are "dead in trespasses and sins," lost and "alienated from the life of God." As Paul said, "I know that no good thing dwells in me." "Me" includes all that is not from God through faith in Christ and the content of His Word. This principle is clearly enunciated in Proverbs 3:5:

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, but in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."

and "Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee."

As far as, the content of my entries, at least I don't dwell in the shallow regions of sound-byte commentary. That's the thing about biblical truth, it has much to say about all life-issues. We don't need more of the current deluge of "human" bright ideas - we need to listen carefully to the Spirit of God in the context of the Scriptures.

Sorry for all these pesky ideas and content. Aren't you lucky I have to go to work now.

Silly stuff that doesn't really matter.

Nikos, it is obvious that you care deeply about people's souls--you are very loving in that way.

If you do go on a sabbatical of reflection, please keep a journal. I would enjoy hearing about it.

'Spring cleaning' is a major focus of Passover.

"'Spring cleaning' is a major focus of Passover.".....
nancy would you unpack that a little for us? and i am assuming you are speaking for yourself?

"Silly stuff that doesn't really matter."

See, Anonymous, this is a perfect example of sound-byte quips that have nothing of any real substance to offer as counter-arguments. At least I care enough to spend time sincerely explaining my position. Those who just offer ad hominem insults ("silly stuff'), devoid of content and reason, just display their bankruptcy. There have been very good debaters who have given me a great workout, and made me think even reconsider some ideas. That I don't mind in the least. Iguess it's like the dude who just won't come out and fight, but clings to ad hominem apron strings. Sorry folks; sound byte hit and run tactics really bug me.

Well, wait just a minute - - - maybe Holden's quip is really a koan, that plumbs the depths of cosmic wisdom, and we clueless sudrahs can't figure it out. "s-i-l-l-y s-t-u-f-f" Hmmmmm . . . Nope it's just too deep and cryptic. Perhaps he'll translate it for us - civilly, respectfully and wisely. We await.

Or, maybe Holden's saying that the blog subject is "silly stuff" - in which case, I offer my sincerest apologies. And, in which case, I agree with him.

Anonymous said:
"Why do you stay in the pulpit".................
pulpit: 2 a: the preaching profession b: a preaching position
i suspect nikos pulpit is actually his every day walk and he cannot/does not separate it (this is my opinion). there is nothing to be ashamed of by living 24/7 your trust and faith in the risen Christ. i believe nikos is to be commended for his 'stick-to-it-tive-ness' rather than being critical of his willingness to defend his faith.
nikos be careful of sheep in wolves comments, the method to quiet the pulpit takes many forms and one of them is flattery - it is useful for all to take respite for reflection - but unless/until you feel the unction to keep quiet about the faith - i say preach on brother in Christ - i never tire of hearing Gods word spoken in truth and in spirit.

Nikos, I think Holden's comment about your remarks being "silly stuff" was dismissive and it wasn't respectful of your point of view. You are right--it would have been much more effective if he simply said that he disagreed with you.

buz, if Nikos' preaching in this blog is important and valuable to you, then I stand corrected. I have nothing but respect for caring, loving people who answer the call to minister to others from the pulpit.