Yoga and Christianity ... uncompatible according to Albert Mohler

I noticed a blog on this subject and had to speak my mind. I'll just pop here in a moment what I stated on the Blog in response.

I am a non-sectarian spiritual studier, although I was in a church choir for 8 years and was baptised and confirmed. Funnily, I took more interest in Christianity later on alongside meditation and Tai Chi after having gone off the rails at 19 years old. So I always find it interesting to hear what a Christian purist has to say on the matter. I'm one of those people that can't help but get in to a theological discussion with the street sermon guy, because I can often hear all kinds of contradiction.

In short there are many things said that I won't go in to quoting, you can follow the link in the title if you want to see the post yourself. But this is what I thought about the matter...

... Quote from Albert Mohler - “Christians are not called to empty the mind”

If Christianity is only about the word of the Bible then here are a couple of quotes that show that immersing yourself in words of the Bible alone are not what the Bible teaches.

“Be still and know me” – Does this not signify letting go of unnecessary thought to better be humble – selfless and in communion with God.

Also, if the Bible is the exact Word of God, how come it’s been changed so many times. I know this is a very direct thing to say, and I know some won’t agree with that point fully, but I think it’s important to read the translations done by a human with a sense of direct communion with God to help discern the true meaning.

This communion doesn’t come from just reading, it comes from being free of a sense of pride and self.

“Thou shalt not worship idols” – Words are as much idols as are images, they are a frame of reference and limited in what they can do. To attach too much to words is to forget about getting a direct experience of God.

I could quote further but it’s all in there for the keen eye. Even the prophet Daniel, who was said to be praised by God, was said to have meditated.

Yoga is a way to strengthen the body to help stabilise the mind. To help boost concentration. Why shouldn’t one look after the body, it doesn’t mean one must grow attached to it in the process of taking care of it. To put the body 1st over spiritual development and serving all beings is a mistake yes, one we won’t overcome until we realise our true nature. Sacrificing health doesn’t prevent attachment to it.

I’m sure all realised saints throughout history, didn’t abuse their bodies unnecessarily ...

I think that pretty much covers it. Let me know your thoughts : ))

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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation.  He is also a long time musician and alongside being a teacher/practitioner of holistic development and meditation; drums, does backing vocals and manages the band Brothers Grimmer.

http://www.gurugrimmer.com

Individuality, Music and the Tao

I was on a forum today and someone asked an interesting question, that I used to deal with when I began cultivating after having spent most of my life until then as a musician.


It was along the lines of (in a nutshell) - if Taoism is about merging with our original oneness, how do I express myself as an individual when performing and be a Taoist at the same time? Aren't they both contradictory?


He wanted to know that he didn't have to give up music to be a Taoist. The worst thing could have been if he'd decided he had to make a decision, this is my response, for the benefit of anyone else wondering about this.


"Hey dude!!!

I am a musician and long time practitioner too so I know where you're coming from.

1st of all, a great book you definitely should read to get a deep understanding here is "drumming the spirit to life"; by Russell Buddy Helm. This man is one of few that helps convey the meditative path that lies in being a musician. T(d)oism is really just a word to describe something wordless. It's funny really when you think about it. 

So the point is, just because I'm a Taoist/Buddhist, or whatever, doesn't mean I don't ever say anything. Saying something is sometimes necessary to help another in the path of realisation. Music is a form of language, a play of form only. It's a pointer, or a sign to an experience. That is why we can feel the story in a song. Just as we do a poem or piece of art.

Chap, if you meditate regularly, and realise your ultimate nature through direct experience of it, these kinds of questions will answer themselves, because you already have all the wisdom waiting in the unlimited nature we all share as our true root or nature (words eh?, they just don't quite cut it : )).

For now though, in case you don't go and get started on meditating yourself, keep in mind that individuality is actually irrelevant at the deepest level. It doesn't really exist at all apart from our interdependent experience of it; it is a projection by the mind, that we experience. Look at it yourself. Can the seemingly separate experience exist without the mind to perceive it? What happens when you dream? Looks and feels real doesn't it? Is it real? Words again : /

Scientists are proving that matter itself is inherently interdependent on something to perceive it as matter, through examining the deepest elements they've found like quarks etc. Einstein had this understanding pegged as a theory years ago. He's worth checking out aswell. If you want advice on direct exercises you can do to see this stuff for yourself directly, let me know. There are some great teachers and books, but there's also a lot of vague re-hashed stuff out there.

I don't want to talk too much on this so I'll leave it to you to further experience - personal experience being the most important, you can't swim by reading a book about it. "The way cannot be put in to words".

So moving on, as individuality is a misconception; everything we live is more like a ride or dream than a individual experience. SO, even these words, and 'you' reading them. 

So what if it's not real!! The point is, is it useful? Does the communication help wake you up out of misconception/suffering or harm you? That's what's important. A great quote by the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) on this is - 

"Only speak if speaking improves on silence"

Sometimes sharing your honest story can help another to realise something important in themselves. Like how to be honest themselves, or they may see a virtuous principle hidden in your words.

This is why integrity in musical sharing is a powerful force for positive cultural change, especially for someone like you, who is walking the path of realisation and communication all at once. That can really make a difference. When I grew up, I went through a lot of physical and emotional abuse. Good healthy honest music is what gave me the strength to not kill myself for fear of waking up to another day of suffering. It can be that powerful.

Someone mentioned Jimi (Hendrix) earlier. I recommend you check out some of his interviews and you'll see he felt the same way. He is still revered for his great work. Why? A number of reasons, too long to include here.

I am not advocating we all as musicians need to copy him and take up acid or anything like he did ... 

... I didn't need to to get a realisation of all this stuff. I'll go more in to my past some other time. Walk your path bro. Be honest and get a personal taste of these wonderful teachings we've been blessed with by hard working dedicated spiritual practitioners; musicians, poets, artists, comedians, speakers, teachers etc that actually cared. Because they knew we're all one mind, some didn't but still shared virtuous principles like integrity and insight, which can be life changing for some.

Blessings chap, I hope that clears it up for you, but feel free to ask me any questions you have on it bro 

: ))))

Phew ... longest post yet ... hahahaa "


Back soon

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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation.  He is also a long time musician and alongside being a teacher/practitioner of holistic development and meditation; drums, does backing vocals and manages the band Brothers Grimmer.

http://www.gurugrimmer.com

Bushcraft Survival!!

Hi all!!! Home from Center Parcs ... just wanted to share an interesting experience. I went on a mini-course about bushcraft survival. Anyone who doesn't know about this can find out easily by checking out Ray Mears. In short, it's all about getting back to basics in nature, and living a happy comfortable life naturally!!

Sounds great huh? Well I found this is all a lot easier than I'd have imagined; let's face it, you have a lot of time on your hands in the wild.

One thing on the course I found particularly fascinating was the use of senses to determine what food is edible. Utilising smell, look, even popping a small amount in the side of the lip if it passes all the first tests. Kind of like how any child explores things. Wisdom through direct experience still remains one of our primary survival tools. It's what opens new doors and possibilities.

Did you know that a Silver Birch's leaves are possibly antiseptic, so to make a natural antiseptic soap in the wild all you need is fat; ash and birch leaves? (Fat and an alkaline create soap). Nothing is wasted when you know how everything fits together.

Ever wondered how to build warm cozy forest home from scratch? There's an example of Ray Mears at work if you follow the link I've provided. This man shows how you can make a forest a comfortable place to be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsbSMplJ6g4&p=BFCBC965D82C2330&playnext=1&index=20

It's amazing how such simple things have been lost to our generation. I thought I'd re-ignite your spark of curiosity here.

I just wanted to share an interesting quote to re-iterate my point.

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountain is going home; that wildness is necessity; that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life"

John Muir.

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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation. 

http://www.gurugrimmer.com

Soldiers and meditation? We live in interesting times.

An unlikely turn of events has occurred. The American Government have decided to invest around $4 million in research to see if there are better and more cost-effective ways to help soldiers cope with high stress levels and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). The United States Army is recommending something outside the usual medical box to its soldiers in Iraq … mindfulness meditation.

According to Major Victor Won, (who is Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence); mindfulness meditation is a simple but ancient approach to living that our comparatively young western medicine has begun to recognise as a powerful tool for dealing with stress, illness and other medical or psychological conditions.

Major Won said, “Many psychotherapists around the world have applied mindfulness, treating various psychological diagnoses such as PTSD, depression and even personality disorders.” He advised that it's “through finding peace within and clarity that you see that you are not the thoughts or the emotions that bind you and take you away into suffering”.

Around 17% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have some form of post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, estimated by a congressional study.

According to statistics assembled last summer approximately 3000 have suffered traumatic brain injury. Costs of treating these ailments could pan out to as much as $35 billion, guessed by a Columbia University report.

We are on the brink of an interesting time for science and meditation. Which used to being at odds now seem to be slowly falling in love with each other.

“Meditation is proven to be the serene way to get smarter,” reported the Daily Mail not so long ago. Scientists from recent in depth studies have found that those who meditate versus those that don't build-up more white matter connecting the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) to the rest of the brain.

Tests point to the possibility that the ACC has the active role when it comes to a humans ability to handle emotion in a healthy way. It's been inked with motivation; problem solving ability and ability to notice errors if and when they occur to make sure they don't re-occur. So it seems we have possible scientific evidence that meditators can better control their actions to achieve goals. Almost as like a gateway between the rational and emotional parts of the brain.

There has also been considerable studies that note a larger Prefrontal Cortex is common in meditators too. This brain region has been identified as being related to complex cognitive behaviors; personality expression, decision making and moderating behaviour. The activity of this brain region is considered to be an orchestration of thoughts and actions in accordance with internal goals. It's connection with the rest of the brain seems to be a big part of what makes a human aware.

So in training awareness it seems that ability is physically exercised too, much like doing push-ups improves your upper body strength.

Many authors have indicated an integral link between a persons personality and the functions of the prefrontal cortex. Disorders, such as Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ADHD, have been related to a dysfunction of the prefrontal cortex.

Results have been particularly prominent in individuals that do some form of holistic exercise as well as meditation.

The West Point-based Army Center for Enhanced Performance (ACEP) - one of the highest levels of the military is now recognising the importance of the mind-body connection.  The role of ACEP is to teach soldiers how to build confidence, set goals and channel their energy; previously using tools like performance psychology. As the result of praise it has expanded to 9 army bases in only 3 years! 

Perhaps recent scientific discoveries are part of what is creating the American governments interest and willingness to delve deeper in to these avenues.

A quote from Albert Einstein to finish; being as we're talking new science meets old science.

“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”

What a man, to come up with that one.

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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation. 

http://www.gurugrimmer.com

Which is better ... Shaolin or Tai Chi?

A person asked this online today. This was my take on it.

Many people worry about which is better when deciding what martial art to choose. This is pretty natural and sensible. Learning a certain style doesn't necessarily work out well, no matter how good the styles potential is; if you don't have a good teacher.I'm sorry my friend, but they're hard to find these days.

Beware of any one who tries to force their style down your throat as 'the best'. People who are like that are usually very competitive, and being in a state of rivalry is the opposite of a good martial artist.

Have a look for your self. At the end of the day martial arts in it's original chinese wording means to lay down the sword; to stop fighting. This was supposed to be achieved through mastering  and refining the potential of the body so that situations could be handled quickly and effectively.

All worthwhile lineages of Martial Art, come from people who used meditative clarity of insight to see what worked, and used to best of the knowledge around them to help them along quicker. Shaolin and Tai Chi are both wonderful for different reasons, I wouldn't push either away. Play with them, experience them, see what feels right for you at this stage.

One thing I will say is that attitude is more important than Kung-fu. That is what protects you from needing to use it in the first place.

Hope some of that helps.

Loadsa Grimmer blessings,

Guru Grimmer. : )

Thought I'd re-post it here too for general benefit.  :o)))
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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation. 
http://www.gurugrimmer.com

Meditation is Natural to You, 4 Simple Steps..

Many people when you say the word meditation, have the image of a person who has an empty mind; and this is due to cultural influence. It's often presumed that to meditate, one must stop thinking. This is not entirely true, and this article was my attempt to help clear up this misunderstanding. By the time you reach the end of this article you'll have begun a powerful journey in to true mediation and holistic health.

In truth, the mind is supposed to become clear eventually yes, but the important point is that it actually happens naturally, but only when you adjust habits slightly. Anyone can prove this by trying to force their mind to stop immediately. You either:

a) Achieve it but can't do so for long,

b) Can, but it bottles up the thoughts and you get more and more wound up or,

c) You simply can't and the more you try, the busier your mind gets.

I used to be more primarily a "c" person, although there are various subtle categories, these are the most common results; and yet essentially they all blend in to one, and none of those states of mind are healthy. 

So, if meditation is supposed to be beneficial, then trying to stop the mind can't be meditation.

A naturally settled yet alert mind is easily achievable by using a number of methods and is the true root of holistic health. Breathing meditation is one of the most popular and generally useful methods. In order to understand how this works, you need only remember the last time you were panicking....how did you breathe? My guess if your like most is your breath was fast; erratic, targeted in the chest and very shallow.

The breath and thought/emotion are inextricably linked. If the breath relaxes and slows, it's easier for the thought processes to do the same.

What does this tell you about some of the benefits of doing this, even for 5 minutes? Can you imagine how your life would be different, to be able to master your reactions in any situation...to be connected to your subconscious in a way that allows spontaneous understanding and creativity....to regenerate your energy quicker than sleep!

Consider; as a baby, breathing from the abdomen was just natural. Here are a few reasons why:

1) There are more oxygen grabbing veins situated at the lower part of your lungs, so breathing this way is more efficient. If you consider that oxygen is one of your primary sources of energy in the body, you can imagine what this one simple and easy habit change can do for you alone.

2) As a baby, it wasn't long ago that you were the most efficient at breathing possible i.e. embryonic breathing in the womb. So breathing from the abdomen was easy.

3) Usually as a baby you didn't have so much unnecessary mental business going through your mind.

4) You hadn't yet been influenced by the habits of others around you.

On that note let me give you a couple of tips to improve your breathing right now: -

1) Put the tongue in the roof of your mouth and breathe in and out through your nose (added benefit - your nose efficiently deals with a large percentage 'air pollution'; dust etc.. This takes even more pressure off of the body).

2) When breathing deep, work up to it gradually, don't force it too deep too soon. This can actually seriously hurt you.

3) Half smile like a cat - sound silly? A half smile is the natural position for your mouth, doing otherwise is actually another unhealthy habit, it causes stress. A half smile helps your whole face to relax and your breathing also.

4) Sit up straight - but not stiff! Adjustments to any postural habit should be done not too hard or too soft. - You will find even these few tips when combined, will not only fill you with growing well being, but actually, you'll start to have a quieter mind, without trying to stop it. 

Magic!!

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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation. 
http://www.gurugrimmer.com

The Holistic Health Top Tip of the Day: Finding a Good Tai Chi Teacher

The Golden Rule - Don't take anyone's word for granted, not even mine. I know thats a bizzare way to begin an article, but hey, Its to help you, not persuade you. If something works, it should work in practice, not just theory. A wise man once said you should give something new at least 12 weeks DEDICATED practice, if it isn't showing some benefit by then, it may be worth considering a new way forward.

Therefore its healthy to question things internally, at least to see for yourself whats working and discern if your chosen teacher is a model of the balance between peacefulness and compassion and ability to handle a real martial situation. Especially being as Martial Arts in its original Chinese wording means to 'STOP FIGHTING', or to eradicate suffering or combat in the most peaceful yet effective way possible.

That obviously requires huge capability in mind and body to achieve and master, and is one of the most important goals for any true martial artist or any decent human being. So if your teacher doesn't get that; may I suggest you drop the class and get the hell outta there! If they are too aggressive or too soft, they will less likely have the correct knowledge or attitude to teach you in a way that will most benefit you physically; spiritually

and emotionally.

Speak soon and Best Wishes,

Guru Grimmer.
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Matthew is a man saved by the very teachings he shares. Giving him a huge zeal and drive for sharing the teachings that worked for him. Many of these teachings were taught to him directly by a Head Disciple of a Grand Master of Holistic Health Arts; like Tai Chi, Qigong and Meditation. 
http://www.gurugrimmer.com