Self-awareness of Christ-awareness?
There is a wide-spread and popular movement sweeping the land. It claims over 600,000 adherents, with 15,000 added each month! It promises peace of mind, relief from tensions, and release of latent energy. It is called “TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION.” The promised results attract many, for who does not desire what is offered? But perhaps most who are involved are unaware of the subtle nature of the movement and the ruinous power behind it.
As learned from a teacher of it, one must be initiated into the movement by a ritual of sorts. Then, the object is to get the pupil into a state of “self-awareness” through mental activity in this direction. After a private interview with the person, the instructor is to discern certain traits which seem to characterize him, and then gives him a “Mantra”—a word which he is to employ in his meditation. This, as repeated and thought upon certain times a day for different lengths of time, is to relax the body from tensions, and give peace of mind, so that the person really “begins to live” through “self-awareness.” Oh, yes, by the way, there is an “initiation fee,” because private professional instruction and group participation in classes are required for success.
“Transcendental Meditation” asserts it is not a religion, but this is contrary to fact. It’s founder, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says, “Transcendental Meditations is a path to God.” — He also writes, “The Lord Krishna declares that realization of the state of all knowledge (TM) is the only way to salvation and success in life: there is no other way.” These statements definitely classify it as a religion. The fact that it is a FALSE RELIGION is seen by comparing the Maharishi’s statements with the Bible. Jesus Christ says: “I AM THE WAY, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father but by ME” (John 14:6).
The Bible teaches meditation, but it always directs to Christ and the Word of God as the Subjects for the mind and heart. This is the exact opposite of “self-awareness.” It is what we can call “Christ-awareness,” and this through the Words of God, of which Jesus says: “They are Spirit and they are Life” (John 6:63).
Through Joshua, the Spirit of God says: “This Book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night; that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
Through Paul, the Spirit writes to Timothy—”Meditate upon these things”—the truths of God revealed in Holy Scripture—”give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4:15). This is God-directed meditation. It will fill the mind and heart—not with self—but with CHRIST, Who is both “the Power of God, and the Wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24).
“Transcendental Meditation” is Satan’s imitation of God’s plan. It is deadly in its end-results, for it occupies one with worthless “self,” and robs the soul of the Christ of God Who alone can give true peace of mind and heart. It may lull one into a mirage of peace, but this, without the Lord Jesus Christ, is but the sleep of spiritual death!
A sinister trick of the Devil is to label TM as a “science.” In this way the pagan religious character of the movement is hidden from view, and is being accepted into public institutions—jails, hospitals, the armed forces, etc.
Should the reader be tempted to take up with such a movement, let him seriously consider the above. Turn rather to the Saviour for salvation from your sins, and receive by faith in Him the peace He offers you on the basis of His finished work done for you on the Cross of Calvary. Then, by faith turn your thoughts to Him through the medium of the Word of God and find the true peace of heart, with its attendant, freedom from tensions, and the Spiritual energy THIS BIBLICAL MEDITATION will impart to you. Through Isaiah we learn a promise upon which you may depend: “Thou wilt keep him in PERFECT PEACE, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).
—Don Johnson