CULT OF THE EMPTY MIND
. Transcendental Meditation comes in many guises. Indeed, it can come
heavily disguised. (For a Hindu this is quite logical because he will gladly
lie to gain a convert.)
. My reason for mentioning Hinduism is given below, but Christian readers
must always be on their guard when it comes to what seems to be a Christian
‘therapy’ or meditative process. In particular, watch out for ‘harmless’
treatments available on the NHS or other therapy provision. It is very easy
for a professional Christian worker to be fooled by what appears to be a slick
and proven therapy. One example is Gestalt Therapy, which relies heavily on
Eastern mysticism and its philosophies.
HISTORY OF TM
. There are many faces to Transcendental Meditation (more commonly called
TM), but do not be sidetracked – it is just one of the many facets of
Hinduism. It first hit the headlines in the swiftly changing, heady
atmosphere of the 1960’s, when the cult leader, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, toured
the U.S.A. He presented TM as a scientific answer to today’s problems of race
hatred, violence, drug abuse and anxiety. Literally thousands flocked to
enrol in TM courses. Everyone, from university educationists to the armed
forces, prisons, schools and even theological colleges, swarmed to be a part
of the new wave of thinking. They all felt the need for change, for a new
spirituality. TM seemed to offer this, even though it was primarily billed as
scientific.
. Many scientific claims were made for the truth and helpfulness of TM.
But, one by one, concerned scientists found the claims to be false or
exaggerated. Personally, for instance, I have noted that certain mechanical
machines used to lower blood pressure can do the same work as TM does. More
pertinently, Christian holiness and prayer is far superior to any ‘method’.
Today TM is often used in psychiatric settings. Alas, it is also to be found
within our churches. As in the past, TM may often be disguised as something
else. Many martial arts, for example, are based on TM techniques. Others, in
an effort to hide the true origins of TM, try to present certain meditative
processes as scientific or psychological treatments.
TRUE NATURE OF TM
. Those who attend TM sessions usually believe they are to be treated for
anxiety. TM also claims to make better work relations, reduce fears, etc.
But, as one Hindu priest told me, “people must, if needs be, be tricked into
becoming Hindus”!!! The Maharishi himself tells instructors that people are
“too ignorant” to understand Hinduism, therefore they must be helped, by
deceit!!
. Thus, newcomers to TM are asked to bring flowers with them to their first
session. They are also urged to bring fruit and a handkerchief (these are
themselves a warning signal!) They are put facing the Maharashi’s own dead
guru and the instructor sings a song in Sanskrit and invites the newcomer to
bow. Many Christians have done this.
. What is not known is that the song is in praise of Hindu gods and it
invokes the spirits. The newcomer is given a ‘mantra’, a meaningless word
which is used as a repetitive prayer. When the initiate repeats his mantra he
is actually invoking the gods for himself. All this time, he does not know he
is doing anything religious but believes it is a meditative technique.
RESULTS OF TM
. Gradually, the initiate comes under the control of both his instructor and
his own mantra. There comes a time when the constant repetition of his mantra
produces a numbness of mind, when he does not even hear himself praying to the
gods. His mind empties of all thought, leading towards the ‘merging of self’
with the so called ‘absolute deity’, Brahma.
. Eventually, adherents to TM lose their personality and lose touch with
reality. They no longer love anyone else and many end up with mental
disorders. Many, also, suffer demon attack and even possession. The
Maharishi sees no place in the world for a non-Hindu. He claims that man is
divine and so he cannot sin. His only ‘sin’ he says, “is that he does not
recognize his own divinity”!!! It is not unusual that TM adherents take up
the occult in its many forms, including levitation, witchcraft etc.
THE PLACE OF YOGA
. Yoga exercises are not as harmless as they seem. Again, many Christians
take up Yoga as a ‘harmless pastime’ to help relieve tension and aches.
Experts say, however, that yoga is no more effective than any other form of
physical training. More to the point, though, is the fact that every single
minute movement to be found in any yoga exercise is really a prayer to the
gods! Each passive, gentle movement is a symbol which ‘speaks’ to the
spirits. Christians who take up yoga seriously or TM, eventually lose all love
they ever had for their Saviour and God. They begin to accept all kinds of
‘other gospels’ and will usually start to say that God can be reached by other
faiths. Some may also experience the other horrific problems already
mentioned.
CONCLUSION
. TM is not to be fooled with or toyed with. It is a cult, a lie of the
devil. It cannot, in any form, be ‘mixed’ with Christianity. In my own town,
the local Anglican church regularly holds yoga sessions and TM sessions in the
aisle! It is all put under the title of ‘Christian’! TM is Hindu. It is
meant to draw you into a false religion which is devoted to false gods and
evil spirits. The devil will use any means to destroy men and turn men from
the true God. TM in its many disguises does just that.
edited by TRINITY 1 BBS
originally supplied by
REACHOUT Trust,
PO Box 43, Twickenham,
Middx TW2 7EG)