Charis

The bible says much about meditation but it is always meditating on God’s word or God’s principles or God himself. When I read about contemplative meditation, the instruction is not to fill one’s mind with the things of God but to empty one’s mind. One says a mantra which is a word or phrase that is said over and over and over again until one comes into a state of nothingness or an emptied mind.

What I practice sounds nothing like that. I use worship music. I focus upon the Lord and upon His Word. I speak to Him. But it has no resemblance whatsoever to “laundry list prayers” and I spend a lot more time listening to Him and resting in His presence than talking. And I hear Him.
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I do not object to pointing out the error of the odd mystics extreme you read.
I object to lumping other fine Christians into the category of “dangerous” and “deceived” because they use similar language or attempt to reclaim lost Christian practices which the church needs.
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Thank you for your well thought out and true post, Cheryl. Your point about not fearing other perspectives is interesting. You are not afraid to allow God to be God. You don’t have to protect Him nor His reputation. You are responsible to speak the truth in love. And I hope you are careful not to agree with the “accuser of the brethren” (I think you are).
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Contemplate means to thiink. Spiritual formation is needed in the church which is a mile wide and an inch deep. Christians neglect really contemplating upon GOD and HIS Word and pressing in. A contemplative was a monk or nun who spent time alone with God, quiet, thinking, praying… I think I would like a contemplative lifestyle if I wasn’t married with 8 children. I would hear these stories about missionary greats who would spend 3 or 4 hours a day praying and I could never understand how they could do that and not be bored. Now I understand. Now I spend time hearing from God.
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I read a lot. Mainly the Bible, but also lots of Christian authors. I don’t approach them looking for what to criticize or where to disagree. I am looking to learn and I find I can learn something from just about everyone.
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I was trying to help a couple very like my husband and myself on a Christian forum (but they have been separated for a year). The husband a patriarch wannabe who could be the poster child for this post of yours, Cheryl… nothing but faultfinding toward his wife and justifying it by saying He is the “head” and the “spiritual leader”. I gave the husband links to some articles at CBMW ( Love and Respect in Marriage and God’s Tool to Preserve and Heal Marriages) and I gave the wife a link to this post on your blog, Cheryl. I really don’t care who speaks the truth, or what words they choose to describe the truth. The truth is the important thing, not the messenger. And I am not against anyone because they have a mix of truth and deception. How can I condemn them when I am quite sure I resemble that?