The Jesus Perspective
Why Jesus? What is the Jesus perspective on meditation? There is little indication that Jesus ever expressly taught meditation. Although there are traditions of meditation that claim the Christian banner, they are few, obscure, and do not appear to date back to Jesus. The Christian religion in general has no particular claim on or use for meditation. In fact, while meditation is the central focus of Dharmic religions, it is almost ancillary to Western traditions. Much of what is called Christianity has been expressed without any explicit reference to or reliance upon meditation. Meditation is not essential for salvation as Christian’s understand it.
So, why then write about the mediations of Jesus? Christianity and its institutions are exclusive. Christian’s count themselves as members of Churches. A Christian is something you are, or not. Meditation, on the other hand, is something you do, or not. It is notoriously portable, almost promiscuous. Mediation can be employed within virtually any religious tradition or without any spiritual connection. It needs no institutions. It is independent of the gods and the spirits. It certainly can be and has been addressed without any reference to Jesus.
Reconciliation
Can we reconcile the exclusive call of Christianity with the universal applicability of meditation? Does Jesus have something to teach us about meditation? Is it possible that Jesus has a meditative message for people of all faiths, and even for those of no faith? Let us hope so.
- For all those who pursue an independent spiritual or meditative path, the Jesus perspective offers a unique and powerful call that will fundamentally and forever change the affect and meaning of meditation.
- For all those who call themselves Christian and profess to follow him, the meditation perspective offers a disciplined way of knocking so that spiritual doors may be opened.
- For those who claim no spiritual or religious connections or aspirations, the meditations of Jesus will open doors in the mind and soul that will otherwise remain hidden and unseen.
The Jesus perspective on meditation changes everything, starting with ourselves.
Rick Durfee is the author of this blog. He is solely responsible for its content. He does not purport to speak authoritatively on behalf of any other person or institution. The ideas expressed are a product of his life experiences. He has nothing more to say about himself for now. It may stay that way. We will see.