pogi Posted April 30, 2017 Posted April 30, 2017 (edited) On 4/26/2017 at 4:55 PM, SmileyMcGee said: Intellectually, how do you place it within the larger framework of Mormonism (or Christianity)? Mormonism ultimately teaches that the greatest source of joy in this life comes from being aware of and responding to God. The spiritual life is like a ballroom dance, it only works when one of the dancers is submissive to the leader. Most of us, at times, get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and lose the rhythm of the dance with God. We trip ourselves up spiritually by attempting to take the lead ourselves. That ultimately leads to becoming completely disconnected, insensitive, and isolated from the rhythm of the spirit as we spiritually fumble across the stage of life. Meditation and prayer reconnects us to the rhythm of God more effectively than anything that I know. By quieting the rhythm of our lives that we dance to everyday, we become aware of a new rhythm, a still, small, and much more subtle rhythm that is ever playing in our souls, but most of us take little to no time to appreciate it and step into rhythm with it. We are far too distracted by the loud, fast paced, attention grabbing rhythm that is transmitted by the world. Skilled dancers glide in unison on the dance floor as if they were one person. And that ultimately is our goal, to become one with God. Through meditation/prayer, we become the respectfully submissive and malleable follower who responds to every delicate yet firm and assuring lean or pull of the trusted leader, in faith and obedience to him. Like dance, it is a language not limited to the confines of human dialect. It cannot be discovered or experienced through the structured limitations of human logic. It is freedom beyond the comprehension of the human mind where the hypnotizing flow of rhythm and touch elegantly glides you effortlessly across the dance floor. That is what meditation is for me. I don’t seek anything out of it other than to center myself in God each and every day. President David O. McKay taught us how Christ used these principles in his life: Quote Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord. Jesus set the example for us. As soon as he was baptized and received the Father’s approval, “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased,” [Matthew 3:17] Jesus [went] to what is now known as the mount of temptation. I like to think of it as the mount of meditation where, during the forty days of fasting, he communed with himself and his Father, and contemplated upon the responsibility of his great mission. One result of this spiritual communion was such strength as enabled him to say to the tempter: “… Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:10.) Before he gave … the beautiful sermon on the mount, he was in solitude, in communion. He did the same thing after that busy Sabbath day, when he arose early in the morning, after having been the guest of Peter. Peter undoubtedly found the guest chamber empty, and when they sought [Jesus] they found him alone. It was on that morning that Peter said: “… All men seek for thee.” (Mark 1:37.) Again, after Jesus had fed the five thousand he told the Twelve to dismiss the multitude, but Jesus went to the mountain for solitude. The historian says, “when the evening was come, he was there alone.” (Matt. 14:23.) Meditation! Prayer!11 Let us make God the center of our lives. … To have communion with God, through his Holy Spirit, is one of the noblest aspirations of life. It is when the peace and love of God have entered the soul, when serving him becomes the motivating factor in one’s life and existence.12 https://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-david-o-mckay/chapter-4?lang=eng Edited April 30, 2017 by pogi 4
probablyHagoth7 Posted May 1, 2017 Posted May 1, 2017 (edited) On 4/26/2017 at 4:55 PM, SmileyMcGee said: ...How did you discover it? ca. 12 years old, reading/pondering the Book of Mormon, and asking with genuine intent if it was true. Discovered that Heaven listens, answers, and loves deeply. On 4/26/2017 at 4:55 PM, SmileyMcGee said: ...How long have you been practicing? On and off for the first 7 years...learning the ropes. Then much more consistently during the subsequent 35 years. But we may be talking different things here. When I ponder something, it's usually a question that has been relayed to me in some form, that I have asked God about and am reflecting on answers/solutions. On 4/26/2017 at 4:55 PM, SmileyMcGee said: ...What role does it play in your overall spiritual development?... Pivotal/central. Unless faith (a principle of action) incites growth/action, it's not a *living* faith. True concepts/principles have no power unless put into action. On 4/26/2017 at 4:55 PM, SmileyMcGee said: ...What resources have you used to develop your practice?... A long list. But to boil it down to five: Much of what President Eyring has taught for many years, especially ...Draw Closer.... Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way...(with artist's dates and especially with morning pages, as prescribed....one form of actively listening for answers to prayers asked.) Long quiet walks....or road trips. (Additional time for active listening.) Associating with people from different walks of life - to expand my sense of understanding/caring. Some of the best questions/issues to tackle have come out of such interactions. Investing about as much time to share as I do to learn (respecting the economy of heaven), except the occasional nugget that temporarily needs to be held in reserve. Which usually means engaging online, or braving that odd yellow globe in the sky interact with others face to face. On 4/26/2017 at 4:55 PM, SmileyMcGee said: ...Intellectually, how do you place it within the larger framework of Mormonism (or Christianity)?... For me, as President Eyring teaches, it boils down to the recurring question "What would You have me do next?" A clear sense of obtaining and accomplishing one's errand. (There's little point of a faith that doesn't engage with God on that level, especially with the intent of benefiting others.) I think such an ongoing question/quest is less a part of a specific Mormon framework, or a Christian framework, but more about being actively/anxiously engaged with a faith that actually works. Although Mormonism does completely encompass such a thing...the same can be said of a number of non-Mormon frameworks. So while it's central to what I understand to be Mormonism's central marching orders, and to God's intent for all of Abraham's heirs (literal *or* adopted). Not unique to Mormonism...or to Christianity. Thankfully. Edited May 1, 2017 by probablyHagoth7 1
clarkgoble Posted May 1, 2017 Posted May 1, 2017 5 hours ago, mfbukowski said: It's like asking for a "ground" for your testimony- it is self-grounding. It is evidence to you but might not be evidence to anyone else. THAT is the central problem here in grounding spiritual experience. It either works for you or it doesn't- there is no help out there to help one decide between spiritual paths but oneself. I don't understand what it even means to say a testimony is self-grounding. But I'll leave that for the other thread. Quote Wow cool to know- I have never heard of this! I don't think there's anything significant to it. It's basically akin to using churches for aerobics or the like early in the morning. So long as you aren't doing anything objectionable, meditation, yoga, basketball or aerobics are all fine if someone wants to do it for the stake and/or ward.
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