Charis

I said: We lived in Indonesia for a few years in the late 80’s. We stayed with a pastor when I was pregnant. He stopped my husband from killing a rat because it was a common belief that the baby would have whatever deformity my husband inflicted upon an animal . … a pastor had what I secretly disdained as superstitious and animistic beliefs. I thought my faith was superior…. Nowadays I know better. They were onto something. We become like what we behold. Perhaps they went overboard with it in the material sense, but it is spiritual truth.
~
To which Paula replied:

Charis, these are very disturbing statements, because they contradict basics of the Christian faith grounded in the Bible.

We become like what we behold. You can read the biblical account at this link: Gen 30:37ff Jacob had the sheep look at spotted branches so that they would bear spotted offspring.
~
Contemplative or soaking prayer, and spiritual disciplines as I practice them are all about beholding the lamb of God that I may be transformed into His image.

2Cor 3:16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.