Meditation North and South

September 6, 2123

Yesterday, a newspaper called “The Epoch Times” arrived in my mailbox. I can only guess why, maybe a general mailing or somebody thought I might be on their side. Very quickly, after perusing a couple articles, it was obvious to me that it had a lot of conspiracy theories being printed as fact. One article claimed proof that Climate Change Scientists had gotten it all wrong, according to the testimony of one professor… One… Just one…

That’ll be the day I believe one person claiming authority over an entire community of Scientists!

The newspaper soon went where it belonged… in my shredder, headed for the compost bin in my garden.

Now, people have to start realizing that just because someone puts a position in print, that does not make it true, and conspiracy theories are exactly that: theories. Someone you probably do not even know has conjured up usually paranoid visions of calamity where “they” are out to “get you” somehow, and you really need to join or to contribute to the “cause” before calamity catches up to you.

Now, “The Epoch Times is a far-right international multi-language newspaper and media company affiliated with the Falun Gong new religious movement.” — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Epoch_Times.

That should tell us everything we need to know. At least, that should raise suspicion in rational minds.

“Falun Gong combines meditation and qigong exercises with a moral philosophy. The practice emphasizes morality and the cultivation of virtue, and identifies as a practice of the Buddhist school, though its teachings also incorporate elements drawn from Taoist traditions.” — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falun_Gong.

‘The Epoch Media Group’s news sites and YouTube channels have promoted conspiracy theories such as QAnon, anti-vaccine misinformation and false claims of fraud in the 2020 United States presidential election.” — ibid.

That says a whole lot to me… First of all, the religious aspect is not true religion at all but a facade following the similar path created by the neo-Evangelical Movement’s leadership: They are both political movements, definitely not religious ones.

The Falun Gong spice up their appeal in their presentation with grand sounding phrases like “morality and the cultivation of virtue,” but they have other goals on their agenda.

As far as their view of meditation goes, there is nothing particularly harmful in the process of concentrating one’s thinking, but there is a problem on what has sarcastically been called “focusing on one’s belly button,” and as far as I can determine, the end game is to empty one’s brain, not fill it up.

You see, I am a Born Again Christian, and the Bible teaches such meditative principles as this advice the apostle Paul gave to Timothy, “Hasten to present yourself approved to God, a workman unashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15, Greek text, https://biblehub.com. This Scripture is notable also, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the LORD, meditating on it day and night.” — Psalm 1:1–2, New Living Translation.

Where eastern meditation is emptying one’s head, Biblical meditation is actively contemplating — one could say studying — filling one’s head, homogenizing, organizing, and integrating thoughts. “When the word ‘meditate’ is used as a verb, it always has an object — something that is meditated ON. It’s not a vague concept of meditation, it is meditating on God’s word, or laws, or ways, or fill in the blank. It is active.” — https://bestirrednotshaken.com/topic-studies/biblical-meditation.

It is active, not passive. That is the important difference.

Bible meditation is active. Eastern meditation is passive. Ironically, active thinking results in solutions while passivity brings no changes — you are right back where you started, and I think you can only be satisfied with that result for a brief amount of time before you must go back, rinse, and repeat. The “meditation circles’’ are made into emblems. Exercising with these emblems is like riding on a carousel that goes around and around without getting you anywhere. It is a great sales technique, because you have to keep coming back for more — at least the urge is created to keep coming back…

Emptiness is not a satisfying human condition. Relaxing is. Learning is.

Another interesting source is found at this website: https://www.chaimbentorah.com/2018/05/hebrew-word-study-meditate/

So, I prefer the Bible type of meditation, because I do not want to be empty-headed. It might be more difficult, but I’d rather learn and understand and develop insight so I can make sense of everything I need to know for living this brief life and for helping others. Consider turning to Jesus, God, and the Bible, and learn how to learn. There will be plenty of time to relax. Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” — Matthew 11:29, New International Version.