@@ericleming1734 it’s been so beneficial to my spiritual life! I grew up Baptist, I never would have thought Catholic theology would be more spirit filled for me, but it is.
I find meditation immensely valuable. It facilitates prayer for me. I often mediate for a few to several minutes before prayer. It helps me be honest with myself about what is troubling me, what sin has been tripping me up, what I'm distracted by, etc. When I'm aware of myself, I can pray more effectively.
@@crobeastness there is a difference, but perfectly compatible. It has nothing to do with theory or dogmas. Its more about getting the mind calm and mot distracted. Nothing wrong with that. No worshipping other gods in this kind of act. But there are enough people around that claim fundamentalism iswrong when looking to other religions, but are mot aware they are fundamentalists too in their own religion.
I was a Hindu nun before becoming Catholic, and I still practice and teach meditation, but it is meditation firmly rooted in Jesus Christ and entirely within Catholic theology, and I SO enjoyed Father Hugh Barbour's explanation around these topics. Many people are confused about meditation techniques that are actually just that - techniques - that can be borrowed and used for the glory of God and Christ our savior. Just because something came from another religious tradition does not mean it is demonic - and I wish that more people realized this. The Father's comments about INTENTION are so important. Where do we intend to go in our meditation? Do we incline the mind to Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Also, this idea that we want to "empty" the mind is NOT something that, in my experience, is recommended even in Buddhism or Hinduism, and it is really just a bad idea because you COULD open yourself to something you do not want. Far better to be intentional and directed. I could go on! I just mean to say that I SO appreciated this little talk. I felt as if I spent some time with someone who understands me. I have lived as an independent Catholic hermit on the edge of a small city in the Southwest for the last 20 years, and occasionally I can get a little lonely for people of like mind and habit. Programs like this one help a great deal.
I am a Catholic psychotherapist, and have struggled with the use of mindfulness, and have seen books about how Christians should avoid it and it is a gateway to the devil! Thanks for your view on the matter. The research seems to indicate that mindfulness is helpful in anxiety reduction. However, I have been put off by the Eastern philosophy that comes with it, and of course it is specifically packaged as "non-religious!"
@@michaelkraemer5094 if I closed my eyes and and listened to the breathe make me more susceptible to demonic things? I use this method sometimes when I’m really anxious.
I believe that meditation in all cultures is a call to spiritual connection with God, but not knowing (or denying/refusing the knowledge of God) leads to empty meditation instead of an uplifting and satisfying prayer.
Part of the reason why I meditate is that it helps reduce my stress and anxiety, also I feel more emotionally, mentally and spiritually recharged after doing it. Also, I have been wearing a holy cross necklace over the last month or so when I meditate, for me it feels like I’m connecting more with the Holy Trinity when I keep it on
The catholic church should promote the catholic equivalent of meditation and mindfulness. If there is such thing. Furthermore, meditation and mindfulness are tools used to be in the moment without distractions. I guess it can be helpfull to be more in the moment when praying for example. Not everything is bad. Mind you that the rosary came to us during the crusades, coming from the middle east. And probably even further away.
"The Catholic equivalent of meditation". Meditation, for example? 'Meditatio' comes from a Latin world particularly used in Middle Ages Catholicism. It's literally one of the basis of Catholicism. Christianity has a long tradition on meditation. Just think about Eastern Christianity, with monks, cenobites and Fathers of the Desert that literally meditate their entire live. Sitting with crossed legs to touch peace and happiness is not a Hindu thing. It's literally what anachoretes and most Saints used to do in their asceticism, as you can see in various icons and statues. Some of them even consciously breathe with a certain rhythm like Hindu pagans use to do, because, you know, rhythmic breathing is not a Buddhist invention, but literally a shared human thing.
Mindfulness is often misunderstood by catholic commentators. They always say that mindfulness, focusing on the breath, has a primary goal of emptying the mind. That is not the case. If you take a class or learn mindfulness from an instructor, the first thing they will specifically tell you is "remember the goal is NOT to empty your mind, it is to bring your mind to the present moment". You are focusing on the present by focusing on the breath. You are not trying to think about nothing or empty your mind
Exactly. This practice if done properly can help make you entirely present to reality, and as we know the ultimate reality, the most real thing, is God Himself. I would still say that going on any journey like this should only be undertaken with the help of the Lord, Mary, and the Saints because it is very easy to be confused by the thoughts or feelings that come up during meditation and to mistake them for what is real and place them between you and God. I also think it is generally advisable to have direction for any kind of intensive contemplative prayer because like Purgatory this can be a burning away of those barriers in us that keep us away from God's face and that is can be a very painful and dangerous process.
So true! Its almost like these catholic commentators want to spread false info as to frighten people. If they church would spread the right info, people won't mistrust these so called catholic experts less.
Yeah, no. Sitting in a certain position doesn’t equate to worshipping a god. It’s more involved and you have to actively seek them out. God knows your heart and loyalties regardless of what position you’re sitting in. Stop spreading false info.
Hello Christian meditation , father john main using the mantra ma-ra-na-tha from the desert father etc . John cassian tradition using biblical understanding?
You need to read the book of St John of the Cross Ascent to Mount Carmel and the Dark Night of the soul Another for unknown Christian Mystics: The Cloud of Unknowing
For anybody interested in hearing more about this, listen to Pint with Aquinas’s episode about Yoga. You’ll hear from a yogi turned devout Catholic and he has great insight about the religious undertones of yoga and mindfulness.
Mindfullness and meditation can be disconnected from Yoga. And Pints with Aquinas is quite conservative. Meditation has nothing to do with worshipping a deity. As long as people think that, they will never understand real meditation in eastern practices. Furthermore, don't forget that there are some practices in catholicism that originated in other philosophies or religions. For example using a prayer bead, the prayer of st. Francis seems to be inspired by sufism after his encounter with the sultan in Egypt.
As long as your meditations are on positivity, love, God, happiness, mindfulness, and peace, it’s alright. Where there is love and peace there is God. Brining better energy into your life is not wrong and I firmly believe that. We meditate when we pray, afterall it’s what prayer is. Meditation to God. Also, it doesn’t matter what position you meditate in, as long you aren’t actively/intentionally worshiping a diety, since it’s not in our religious rules. God will know where your loyalties are, regardless of what position you’re meditating in.
@Alison Heatwole you are comparing energy to good vibes. She was not talking about the Beach Boys. God works with his energy or power, if that sounds better for you. So bringing in the energy of God might be more correct if I understood her comment correctly.
Meditate on the mysteries of God. The problem is God desires to walk with us. If we are not focusing on Him we are wasting time. I heard some very questionable statements when I listened to a yoga instructor that were definitely not compatible with walking with our God. Stretching is great but omit the brainwashing. If you think satan and his workers are not using yoga to hurt people, you don't understand the enemy. They use everything toward the purpose of hurting human beings and God.
OM Meister Eckhart would not even admit that God was good. ... ... Anything that a man might say about God is incorrect, even calling Him by the name of God. God is "superessential nothingness" and "transcendent Being" ... beyond all words and beyond all understanding.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, Lord.”
I agree with Catholic’s meditating on Jesus.
@@ericleming1734 it’s been so beneficial to my spiritual life! I grew up Baptist, I never would have thought Catholic theology would be more spirit filled for me, but it is.
I find meditation immensely valuable. It facilitates prayer for me. I often mediate for a few to several minutes before prayer. It helps me be honest with myself about what is troubling me, what sin has been tripping me up, what I'm distracted by, etc. When I'm aware of myself, I can pray more effectively.
whats the difference between prayer and meditation? in the rosary you meditate on the mysteries don you?
@@crobeastness there is a difference, but perfectly compatible. It has nothing to do with theory or dogmas. Its more about getting the mind calm and mot distracted. Nothing wrong with that. No worshipping other gods in this kind of act. But there are enough people around that claim fundamentalism iswrong when looking to other religions, but are mot aware they are fundamentalists too in their own religion.
I was a Hindu nun before becoming Catholic, and I still practice and teach meditation, but it is meditation firmly rooted in Jesus Christ and entirely within Catholic theology, and I SO enjoyed Father Hugh Barbour's explanation around these topics. Many people are confused about meditation techniques that are actually just that - techniques - that can be borrowed and used for the glory of God and Christ our savior. Just because something came from another religious tradition does not mean it is demonic - and I wish that more people realized this. The Father's comments about INTENTION are so important. Where do we intend to go in our meditation? Do we incline the mind to Father, Son and Holy Spirit? Also, this idea that we want to "empty" the mind is NOT something that, in my experience, is recommended even in Buddhism or Hinduism, and it is really just a bad idea because you COULD open yourself to something you do not want. Far better to be intentional and directed. I could go on! I just mean to say that I SO appreciated this little talk. I felt as if I spent some time with someone who understands me. I have lived as an independent Catholic hermit on the edge of a small city in the Southwest for the last 20 years, and occasionally I can get a little lonely for people of like mind and habit. Programs like this one help a great deal.
I am a Catholic psychotherapist, and have struggled with the use of mindfulness, and have seen books about how Christians should avoid it and it is a gateway to the devil! Thanks for your view on the matter. The research seems to indicate that mindfulness is helpful in anxiety reduction. However, I have been put off by the Eastern philosophy that comes with it, and of course it is specifically packaged as "non-religious!"
@@michaelkraemer5094 if I closed my eyes and and listened to the breathe make me more susceptible to demonic things? I use this method sometimes when I’m really anxious.
All meditation is not prayer. But, prayer is a high form of meditation; the highest form of meditation is the Rosary.
I believe that meditation in all cultures is a call to spiritual connection with God, but not knowing (or denying/refusing the knowledge of God) leads to empty meditation instead of an uplifting and satisfying prayer.
Lots of great insights. Thank you for posting.
Such a fantastic discussion. Thank you so much for making this available. It's such a blessing.
That was AMAZING. Thank you!
Pray the Rosary with deep praying is a meditation.
Part of the reason why I meditate is that it helps reduce my stress and anxiety, also I feel more emotionally, mentally and spiritually recharged after doing it. Also, I have been wearing a holy cross necklace over the last month or so when I meditate, for me it feels like I’m connecting more with the Holy Trinity when I keep it on
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🙏✝️ FILL YOUR HEAD WITH JESUS CHRIST LOVE. FILL UP .only light can cast out darkness!!! 🙏✝️🕯️ Only Jesus GIVES this light!!!!
The catholic church should promote the catholic equivalent of meditation and mindfulness. If there is such thing. Furthermore, meditation and mindfulness are tools used to be in the moment without distractions. I guess it can be helpfull to be more in the moment when praying for example. Not everything is bad. Mind you that the rosary came to us during the crusades, coming from the middle east. And probably even further away.
"The Catholic equivalent of meditation". Meditation, for example? 'Meditatio' comes from a Latin world particularly used in Middle Ages Catholicism. It's literally one of the basis of Catholicism.
Christianity has a long tradition on meditation. Just think about Eastern Christianity, with monks, cenobites and Fathers of the Desert that literally meditate their entire live. Sitting with crossed legs to touch peace and happiness is not a Hindu thing. It's literally what anachoretes and most Saints used to do in their asceticism, as you can see in various icons and statues. Some of them even consciously breathe with a certain rhythm like Hindu pagans use to do, because, you know, rhythmic breathing is not a Buddhist invention, but literally a shared human thing.
Great video! Fr. Hugh Barber is awesome and so knowledgeable.
The bible says you can mediate and it is granted, but on the Word of the Lord. Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1
I agree with the Affirmation.
@@moh6410 Jesus is God. The Word made flesh.
What a great video!
2:18 thank Jesus! My heart was drying out thinking this was another “yoga is demonic” video.
Mindfulness is often misunderstood by catholic commentators. They always say that mindfulness, focusing on the breath, has a primary goal of emptying the mind. That is not the case. If you take a class or learn mindfulness from an instructor, the first thing they will specifically tell you is "remember the goal is NOT to empty your mind, it is to bring your mind to the present moment". You are focusing on the present by focusing on the breath. You are not trying to think about nothing or empty your mind
Exactly. This practice if done properly can help make you entirely present to reality, and as we know the ultimate reality, the most real thing, is God Himself. I would still say that going on any journey like this should only be undertaken with the help of the Lord, Mary, and the Saints because it is very easy to be confused by the thoughts or feelings that come up during meditation and to mistake them for what is real and place them between you and God.
I also think it is generally advisable to have direction for any kind of intensive contemplative prayer because like Purgatory this can be a burning away of those barriers in us that keep us away from God's face and that is can be a very painful and dangerous process.
So true! Its almost like these catholic commentators want to spread false info as to frighten people. If they church would spread the right info, people won't mistrust these so called catholic experts less.
Someone might sat that happiness can be achieved through meditation. How do we respond? Is it a different interpretation on happiness?
All the movements of yoga are based on the thousands of Hindu gods. So when someone does those poses they are unknowingly worshipping the Hindu Gods.
As a Hindu yoga has health benefits there is no benefit proven by scientists in any Abrahamic religions
Nonsense.
You are right. And if they do it willingly then they better get to confession
Yeah, no. Sitting in a certain position doesn’t equate to worshipping a god. It’s more involved and you have to actively seek them out. God knows your heart and loyalties regardless of what position you’re sitting in. Stop spreading false info.
LOL no. The tower, the plow, the crane , the lotus flower are not gods but everyday objects to name the posture.
Hello Christian meditation , father john main using the mantra ma-ra-na-tha from the desert father etc . John cassian tradition using biblical understanding?
You need to read the book of St John of the Cross Ascent to Mount Carmel and the Dark Night of the soul
Another for unknown Christian Mystics: The Cloud of Unknowing
For anybody interested in hearing more about this, listen to Pint with Aquinas’s episode about Yoga. You’ll hear from a yogi turned devout Catholic and he has great insight about the religious undertones of yoga and mindfulness.
Mindfullness and meditation can be disconnected from Yoga. And Pints with Aquinas is quite conservative. Meditation has nothing to do with worshipping a deity. As long as people think that, they will never understand real meditation in eastern practices. Furthermore, don't forget that there are some practices in catholicism that originated in other philosophies or religions. For example using a prayer bead, the prayer of st. Francis seems to be inspired by sufism after his encounter with the sultan in Egypt.
so i guess the answer is NO ???
As long as your meditations are on positivity, love, God, happiness, mindfulness, and peace, it’s alright. Where there is love and peace there is God. Brining better energy into your life is not wrong and I firmly believe that. We meditate when we pray, afterall it’s what prayer is. Meditation to God. Also, it doesn’t matter what position you meditate in, as long you aren’t actively/intentionally worshiping a diety, since it’s not in our religious rules. God will know where your loyalties are, regardless of what position you’re meditating in.
@Alison Heatwole you are comparing energy to good vibes. She was not talking about the Beach Boys. God works with his energy or power, if that sounds better for you. So bringing in the energy of God might be more correct if I understood her comment correctly.
Meditate on the mysteries of God. The problem is God desires to walk with us. If we are not focusing on Him we are wasting time. I heard some very questionable statements when I listened to a yoga instructor that were definitely not compatible with walking with our God. Stretching is great but omit the brainwashing. If you think satan and his workers are not using yoga to hurt people, you don't understand the enemy. They use everything toward the purpose of hurting human beings and God.
20:26-20:31 Father Hugh is talking about the 2 divine mercy.
Cool
OM Meister Eckhart would not even admit that God was good. ... ... Anything that a man might say about God is incorrect, even calling Him by the name of God. God is "superessential nothingness" and "transcendent Being" ... beyond all words and beyond all understanding.
Meditation is more effective than prayer.
Prayer is talking to God.
@Alison Heatwole What was that video supposed to demonstrate?