Hey everybody,
Recently I have been looking at praying and de-stressing myself. And i hear that meditation is a good way to clear out the cob-webs and tune your focus. I need some advice if whether it works or not and if so can somebody instruct me as to how to do so i know one way of meditating but its quite.. " different"
Well if anyone can help that would be great.
Lil Shep
Full Version: Meditation
QUOTE(LittleKingofShepards @ Nov 23 2005, 06:11 PM)
Hey everybody,
Recently I have been looking at praying and de-stressing myself. And i hear that meditation is a good way to clear out the cob-webs and tune your focus. I need some advice if whether it works or not and if so can somebody instruct me as to how to do so i know one way of meditating but its quite.. " different"
Well if anyone can help that would be great.
Lil Shep
[right][snapback]24794[/snapback][/right]
Recently I have been looking at praying and de-stressing myself. And i hear that meditation is a good way to clear out the cob-webs and tune your focus. I need some advice if whether it works or not and if so can somebody instruct me as to how to do so i know one way of meditating but its quite.. " different"
Well if anyone can help that would be great.
Lil Shep
[right][snapback]24794[/snapback][/right]
Good topic, Lil Shep! Actually, when we meditate, we're suppose to be meditating on the Word. Some meditation practices would have you believe you are to 'empty your mind' of every thought, but that is WRONG! That's when the DEVIL comes in to fill it! We are to take a verse of scripture and meditate or THINK on the scripture, really think hard on what God is telling us. To empty one's mind is a playground for evil thoughts. This is what I have been taught and when I meditate, I ponder all the lovely things that God has done for me and always keep positive thoughts in my mind... kicking out the negative when those thoughts try to take over. It's a battle, but never totally empty your mind...
I think it's ok to be still before the Lord and listen. We get pretty busy upstairs sometimes.
When we meditate on his word we try to understand the fullness of it.
Sometimes l wonder if tongues helps us turn off the constant internal dialogue with ourselves...?
Our heads....It's like always having the radio on...Sometimes you just want to shut it all off...
I think it's ok but it's not a religion...Just being quite before the Lord. No mantras-no sitting positions-no manipulations...
Be still and know that l am God...Say's that somewhere doesn't it?
It's hard to destress. Best way is just to pour it all out before the Lord...We grieve him when we don't...
When we meditate on his word we try to understand the fullness of it.
Sometimes l wonder if tongues helps us turn off the constant internal dialogue with ourselves...?
Our heads....It's like always having the radio on...Sometimes you just want to shut it all off...
I think it's ok but it's not a religion...Just being quite before the Lord. No mantras-no sitting positions-no manipulations...
Be still and know that l am God...Say's that somewhere doesn't it?
It's hard to destress. Best way is just to pour it all out before the Lord...We grieve him when we don't...
QUOTE(LittleKingofShepards @ Nov 23 2005, 04:11 PM)
Hey everybody,
Recently I have been looking at praying and de-stressing myself. And i hear that meditation is a good way to clear out the cob-webs and tune your focus. I need some advice if whether it works or not and if so can somebody instruct me as to how to do so i know one way of meditating but its quite.. " different"
Well if anyone can help that would be great.
Lil Shep
[right][snapback]24794[/snapback][/right]
Recently I have been looking at praying and de-stressing myself. And i hear that meditation is a good way to clear out the cob-webs and tune your focus. I need some advice if whether it works or not and if so can somebody instruct me as to how to do so i know one way of meditating but its quite.. " different"
Well if anyone can help that would be great.
Lil Shep
[right][snapback]24794[/snapback][/right]
The words like meditation, centering, focusing are all so abused. If it makes any sense...I "center" such as try to "focus" on the Spirit and place Jesus in front of my eyes and "meditate" of that Word to sepak with Jehovah....
But I don't listen too much to people who use those words and try to tell me how to do it
They can get kind of weird and the HolySpirit can help you get "still" by using God's path.leia
QUOTE
Church & Israel Forum
THE LOST ART OF BIBLICAL MEDITATION
When I speak of meditation, some people may become puzzled or even alarmed. The New Illustrated Bible Dictionary comments that meditation today is a "lost art for many Christians." Some of our popular translations even substitute other words when they translate "meditate" or "meditation" in the scriptures. Today the Church has virtually surrendered meditation to the New Age Movement and to eastern religions. They have also surrendered other things like the rainbow. However, we should not in the least be willing to surrender these biblical realities to others. The Bible makes it clear that meditation belongs to the children of God. Today people have a deep spiritual need to meditate, whether they realize it or not. It is undoubtedly for this reason that some people with Christian backgrounds have been drawn into the cults. So let us look at the Bible and try to understand both the use and purpose of biblical meditation.
MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
It is recorded in the Bible that many of the great men of God meditated. Isaac went out into the field to meditate (Gen. 24:63). The Psalmist certainly meditated even in the night watches (63:6). He meditated in the Law of God (1:2); on God’s precepts and ways (119:15); in his statutes (119:23); and on the mighty works of God (143:5).
The Psalmist prayed that the meditation of his heart would be sweet (104:34) and acceptable to God (19:14). Thus we can see in scripture that the Psalmist used meditation as an approach to God. His meditation then led him to greater understanding (49:3).
Even Joshua, the great military leader, spoke of the values of meditation. In Joshua 1:8 he advises: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." A similar thought is expressed in the New Testament as Paul advises young Timothy: "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all" (1 Tim. 4:15 NKJV).
Now, what exactly is meditation? When we meditate we muse, contemplate and reflect on the things of God. One of the Hebrew words used for "meditation" is the word ha-gah, which means to "mutter." This is almost like talking out loud to oneself, however, the muttering or mumbling reaches the ears of God. To meditate is a little like a cow chewing her cud. We first eat the word, then we bring it up and "chew" on it some more. When we do, we get extra nourishment and understanding. Biblical things begin to fit together much better and mysteries begin to be revealed.
MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Since it appears that the devil has almost stolen away meditation from the Church, we need to quickly recover it. We will find that when we do our lives will become much richer. I have been a Christian for well over half a century. I can say without a doubt that most things I have learned from the Lord during that time have come through meditation in his word. For many years I diligently kept a notebook of these meditations. Even today when I write articles I often refer back to this old notebook. Often I am surprised at the things I learned from the Lord so long ago.
Now, how do we go about meditating? We can meditate almost anywhere, on our beds, at work, washing dishes, or walking in the field like Isaac. It is probably best to find a quiet place, ideally in the natural setting. We also may just open the Bible and reflect on a particular passage until it speaks to our hearts. Sometimes God gives us an intense interest in some subject and that is oft-times our cue for meditation. We should also not hesitate to ask God about things on our minds or things troubling us in scripture. Through meditation on these subjects the divine light may come on.
When God does speak to us in our spirits we need to be diligent to follow up with a thorough study of that subject in scripture. For this, we will probably need a concordance and perhaps a Bible dictionary. We will find that when God teaches us on a subject we will be ready and qualified to share with others in that area. In the scripture we see how Jesus often expounded all things in private with his disciples (Mark 4:34), after he had taught the crowds. The Lord wanted them to really get the picture. He also desires to expound to us as well. In Isaiah 54:13, the prophet gives us this assurance: "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace."
As a wonderful and ever-present aid to meditation we believers have the Holy Spirit living within us. The Bible gives us this word about him: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (Jn. 14:26).
THE PATH OF BIBLICAL DISCOVERY
The one who meditates in the spiritual realm is very much like a scientists in the natural realm. In a very real sense it involves revelation, experimentation, and "discovery" of God’s laws. The discovery is, of course, God’s revelation to us.
Let us take just a few moments to consider the benefits of such revelation and experimentation in the natural realm. Let us look at some steps in the discovery of electricity and of the electric light. How important this is, since many of the discoveries of the last century are based somehow on the discovery of electric light. Without it we would not have computers, copiers, lasers, microwaves, etc.
600 BC The Greek, Thales discovers static electricity by rubbing amber with a
cloth, thus electricity is mistakenly named from the Greek word for
amber.
1600 AD William Gilbert made further developments in static electricity.
1700s Stephen Gray discovered the use of conductors and non conductors.
1746 Ben Franklin introduced the positive and negative concepts of
electricity.
1752 Franklin sent up his kite discovering natural electricity in the
heavens.
1786 Luigi Galvani experimented with frog legs, a copper hook, and an iron
railing. He concluded wrongly that frog legs contained electricity.
1800 Alessandro Volta produced first storage battery.
1822 Andre Ampere developed the science of electric currents and electro
magnetism.
1826 Georg Ohm formulated Ohm’s law of resistance.
1831 Michael Farraday developed electric generators and transformers.
1879 Thomas Edison finally developed the first successful carbon lamp.
It is noteworthy that Edison tried numerous times to produce light from electricity. He spent two years searching for the proper filament for his bulb, even sending agents to the jungles of Amazon and to the forests of Japan. Finally he turned to a carbonized thread and after many failures the light came on. Obviously he was very persistent in his search.
We know as Christians that what men often call "discovery" is really the revelation of God. We also see by this that people build upon each other’s revelation. Sometimes we get it a little wrong, and that is a good reason for always checking it out thoroughly in the Bible. We should also talk with others, particularly spiritual leaders, about our revelations. We might clarify here that we are not talking about brand new revelation but a rediscovery of the old. What we "discover" will always be reflected in God’s word.
As we can see, with revelation and "discovery" comes progress. No doubt, because of our failures at biblical meditation we are still living in a sort of spiritual stone age. Think of what the discovery of natural laws has brought us. In early times the cave man may have enjoyed roasted meat only when lightning hit the tree and a roasted fowl dropped in his lap. However, today housewives can put the fowl in the microwave and have roasted meat anytime they choose. What has brought this about? Men have searched and have come to understand the numerous natural laws that apply to electricity.
What spiritual wonders await us when we begin to meditate on the laws of God. Today when we pray for the sick and receive a miracle we are often powerless to bring about another one. When we have a wonderful meeting and the Lord is present it often seems nearly impossible for us to duplicate it. What is the problem? Could it be that we do not yet understand the laws of God’s kingdom? There are spiritual laws relating to his presence, his holiness, his power, etc. David once found this out when he tried to move the Ark or the Covenant in a cart like the Philistines had done. After a good man died in the process David went home and studied up on the laws of carrying the Ark. The next time he went for it, he had it carried on the shoulders of the Levites as the law prescribed. Their rejoicing that day was not interrupted by disaster.
We often hear laments today that the Church is almost irrelevant to our modern culture. We wait breathlessly for the world to make new discoveries or for the latest computer program to be released. I wonder if we have it all backwards. If we will meditate day and night on the Lord and on his word, it will be us who are bringing the latest revelation to the world. The people in the world will be the ones waiting breathlessly.
- Jim Gerrish
THE LOST ART OF BIBLICAL MEDITATION
When I speak of meditation, some people may become puzzled or even alarmed. The New Illustrated Bible Dictionary comments that meditation today is a "lost art for many Christians." Some of our popular translations even substitute other words when they translate "meditate" or "meditation" in the scriptures. Today the Church has virtually surrendered meditation to the New Age Movement and to eastern religions. They have also surrendered other things like the rainbow. However, we should not in the least be willing to surrender these biblical realities to others. The Bible makes it clear that meditation belongs to the children of God. Today people have a deep spiritual need to meditate, whether they realize it or not. It is undoubtedly for this reason that some people with Christian backgrounds have been drawn into the cults. So let us look at the Bible and try to understand both the use and purpose of biblical meditation.
MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
It is recorded in the Bible that many of the great men of God meditated. Isaac went out into the field to meditate (Gen. 24:63). The Psalmist certainly meditated even in the night watches (63:6). He meditated in the Law of God (1:2); on God’s precepts and ways (119:15); in his statutes (119:23); and on the mighty works of God (143:5).
The Psalmist prayed that the meditation of his heart would be sweet (104:34) and acceptable to God (19:14). Thus we can see in scripture that the Psalmist used meditation as an approach to God. His meditation then led him to greater understanding (49:3).
Even Joshua, the great military leader, spoke of the values of meditation. In Joshua 1:8 he advises: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." A similar thought is expressed in the New Testament as Paul advises young Timothy: "Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all" (1 Tim. 4:15 NKJV).
Now, what exactly is meditation? When we meditate we muse, contemplate and reflect on the things of God. One of the Hebrew words used for "meditation" is the word ha-gah, which means to "mutter." This is almost like talking out loud to oneself, however, the muttering or mumbling reaches the ears of God. To meditate is a little like a cow chewing her cud. We first eat the word, then we bring it up and "chew" on it some more. When we do, we get extra nourishment and understanding. Biblical things begin to fit together much better and mysteries begin to be revealed.
MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Since it appears that the devil has almost stolen away meditation from the Church, we need to quickly recover it. We will find that when we do our lives will become much richer. I have been a Christian for well over half a century. I can say without a doubt that most things I have learned from the Lord during that time have come through meditation in his word. For many years I diligently kept a notebook of these meditations. Even today when I write articles I often refer back to this old notebook. Often I am surprised at the things I learned from the Lord so long ago.
Now, how do we go about meditating? We can meditate almost anywhere, on our beds, at work, washing dishes, or walking in the field like Isaac. It is probably best to find a quiet place, ideally in the natural setting. We also may just open the Bible and reflect on a particular passage until it speaks to our hearts. Sometimes God gives us an intense interest in some subject and that is oft-times our cue for meditation. We should also not hesitate to ask God about things on our minds or things troubling us in scripture. Through meditation on these subjects the divine light may come on.
When God does speak to us in our spirits we need to be diligent to follow up with a thorough study of that subject in scripture. For this, we will probably need a concordance and perhaps a Bible dictionary. We will find that when God teaches us on a subject we will be ready and qualified to share with others in that area. In the scripture we see how Jesus often expounded all things in private with his disciples (Mark 4:34), after he had taught the crowds. The Lord wanted them to really get the picture. He also desires to expound to us as well. In Isaiah 54:13, the prophet gives us this assurance: "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace."
As a wonderful and ever-present aid to meditation we believers have the Holy Spirit living within us. The Bible gives us this word about him: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (Jn. 14:26).
THE PATH OF BIBLICAL DISCOVERY
The one who meditates in the spiritual realm is very much like a scientists in the natural realm. In a very real sense it involves revelation, experimentation, and "discovery" of God’s laws. The discovery is, of course, God’s revelation to us.
Let us take just a few moments to consider the benefits of such revelation and experimentation in the natural realm. Let us look at some steps in the discovery of electricity and of the electric light. How important this is, since many of the discoveries of the last century are based somehow on the discovery of electric light. Without it we would not have computers, copiers, lasers, microwaves, etc.
600 BC The Greek, Thales discovers static electricity by rubbing amber with a
cloth, thus electricity is mistakenly named from the Greek word for
amber.
1600 AD William Gilbert made further developments in static electricity.
1700s Stephen Gray discovered the use of conductors and non conductors.
1746 Ben Franklin introduced the positive and negative concepts of
electricity.
1752 Franklin sent up his kite discovering natural electricity in the
heavens.
1786 Luigi Galvani experimented with frog legs, a copper hook, and an iron
railing. He concluded wrongly that frog legs contained electricity.
1800 Alessandro Volta produced first storage battery.
1822 Andre Ampere developed the science of electric currents and electro
magnetism.
1826 Georg Ohm formulated Ohm’s law of resistance.
1831 Michael Farraday developed electric generators and transformers.
1879 Thomas Edison finally developed the first successful carbon lamp.
It is noteworthy that Edison tried numerous times to produce light from electricity. He spent two years searching for the proper filament for his bulb, even sending agents to the jungles of Amazon and to the forests of Japan. Finally he turned to a carbonized thread and after many failures the light came on. Obviously he was very persistent in his search.
We know as Christians that what men often call "discovery" is really the revelation of God. We also see by this that people build upon each other’s revelation. Sometimes we get it a little wrong, and that is a good reason for always checking it out thoroughly in the Bible. We should also talk with others, particularly spiritual leaders, about our revelations. We might clarify here that we are not talking about brand new revelation but a rediscovery of the old. What we "discover" will always be reflected in God’s word.
As we can see, with revelation and "discovery" comes progress. No doubt, because of our failures at biblical meditation we are still living in a sort of spiritual stone age. Think of what the discovery of natural laws has brought us. In early times the cave man may have enjoyed roasted meat only when lightning hit the tree and a roasted fowl dropped in his lap. However, today housewives can put the fowl in the microwave and have roasted meat anytime they choose. What has brought this about? Men have searched and have come to understand the numerous natural laws that apply to electricity.
What spiritual wonders await us when we begin to meditate on the laws of God. Today when we pray for the sick and receive a miracle we are often powerless to bring about another one. When we have a wonderful meeting and the Lord is present it often seems nearly impossible for us to duplicate it. What is the problem? Could it be that we do not yet understand the laws of God’s kingdom? There are spiritual laws relating to his presence, his holiness, his power, etc. David once found this out when he tried to move the Ark or the Covenant in a cart like the Philistines had done. After a good man died in the process David went home and studied up on the laws of carrying the Ark. The next time he went for it, he had it carried on the shoulders of the Levites as the law prescribed. Their rejoicing that day was not interrupted by disaster.
We often hear laments today that the Church is almost irrelevant to our modern culture. We wait breathlessly for the world to make new discoveries or for the latest computer program to be released. I wonder if we have it all backwards. If we will meditate day and night on the Lord and on his word, it will be us who are bringing the latest revelation to the world. The people in the world will be the ones waiting breathlessly.
- Jim Gerrish
I meditate on my belly button, and contemplate that "Everything is Illusion".
I empty my mind, and repeat the syllable "Ohm.............." , about a million times, until my spirit goes completely numb.
Eventually, I lift up from the floor and levitate, and float out the window, and return though another window.
While meditating, I enjoy astral travels throughout the universe, visiting stars, moons, planets. I pass by terrifying monsters and deities, and I stop to visit with pleasant spirits and gods.
OOOOOOOOOHHHHH, WAIT!!!!
I'm sorry, I was thinking of Hindu. I'm so sorry.
dennis manning
forget all of the above. It's of satan.
I empty my mind, and repeat the syllable "Ohm.............." , about a million times, until my spirit goes completely numb.
Eventually, I lift up from the floor and levitate, and float out the window, and return though another window.
While meditating, I enjoy astral travels throughout the universe, visiting stars, moons, planets. I pass by terrifying monsters and deities, and I stop to visit with pleasant spirits and gods.
OOOOOOOOOHHHHH, WAIT!!!!
I'm sorry, I was thinking of Hindu. I'm so sorry.
dennis manning
forget all of the above. It's of satan.
Ha ha Dennis...I always thought there was something wierd about you.. 
Great article...Thanks Marcus...
My Sunday school teacher would have a fit over the word revelation though...But the author of the article did qualify it as meaning "nothing new"...
The word should be illumination...I was musing over the usage and thinking about illumination and then the guy started to use electricity as his example...The Lord was having fun with me..
If you swallow something whole you can get indigestion. Better to chew awhile.
I still have this picture in my mind of sitting at the kitchen table and chewing the same piece of meat for a half an hour... dishes were being done and l was chewing away...then l still had cold green beans to eat....
Great article...Thanks Marcus...
My Sunday school teacher would have a fit over the word revelation though...But the author of the article did qualify it as meaning "nothing new"...
The word should be illumination...I was musing over the usage and thinking about illumination and then the guy started to use electricity as his example...The Lord was having fun with me..
If you swallow something whole you can get indigestion. Better to chew awhile.
I still have this picture in my mind of sitting at the kitchen table and chewing the same piece of meat for a half an hour...
dishes were being done and l was chewing away...then l still had cold green beans to eat....
Dennis , you know a bit too much for my liking .
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
QUOTE(simplebaby @ Nov 25 2005, 01:01 PM)
Dennis , you know a bit too much for my liking .
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
[right][snapback]24980[/snapback][/right]
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
[right][snapback]24980[/snapback][/right]
That must have been my OTHER self.
dennis manning
(joking)
[quote=simplebaby,Nov 25 2005, 05:57 AM]
MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
Now, what exactly is meditation? When we meditate we muse, contemplate and reflect on the things of God. One of the Hebrew words used for "meditation" is the word ha-gah, which means to "mutter." This is almost like talking out loud to oneself, however, the muttering or mumbling reaches the ears of God. MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Since it appears that the devil has almost stolen away meditation from the Church, we need to quickly recover it. [/quote]
[right][snapback]24970[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
Dennis....I'm with ya bud! Seeking Shabumi.
Seriously....Ummmm, about talking to yourself. I did that for years before I was married and had children and it kept me sane. I would walk for miles through the open fields and to the culvert and to a quiet place, talking all the time to our Lord about everything....it will keep you sane and focused on what He wantsyou to do about things in your life. Which path He wants you to take. I can't tell you how or when it happens, but all of a sudden it seems like you are not talking anymore; you hare having a conversation. There is someone else talking too. You answer questions, explain and come to conclusions together. And you realise that all the time you were talking before, that one was there, just above you, listening and waiting for the time He say something and it would just fit in naturally. Timing it out and waiting for your attention to be so wrapped up in the truth and honesty of your "mutterings" that He could say something simple like, "What did he say then?" and you answer it before you realise He said anything and the whole sky opens up. After that, you never feel alone. You will find time to be with Him as if you were "finding time" to meet your true love. No one really has to "find time" for that.
BUT, after you have children and there are people around you....find a place away when you can. When they are babies....not a problem. But when they get older they begin to doubt your mind if you mutter.....
leia
MEDITATION IN THE BIBLE
Now, what exactly is meditation? When we meditate we muse, contemplate and reflect on the things of God. One of the Hebrew words used for "meditation" is the word ha-gah, which means to "mutter." This is almost like talking out loud to oneself, however, the muttering or mumbling reaches the ears of God. MEDITATION FOR TODAY
Since it appears that the devil has almost stolen away meditation from the Church, we need to quickly recover it. [/quote]
[right][snapback]24970[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
Dennis....I'm with ya bud! Seeking Shabumi.
Seriously....Ummmm, about talking to yourself. I did that for years before I was married and had children and it kept me sane. I would walk for miles through the open fields and to the culvert and to a quiet place, talking all the time to our Lord about everything....it will keep you sane and focused on what He wantsyou to do about things in your life. Which path He wants you to take. I can't tell you how or when it happens, but all of a sudden it seems like you are not talking anymore; you hare having a conversation. There is someone else talking too. You answer questions, explain and come to conclusions together. And you realise that all the time you were talking before, that one was there, just above you, listening and waiting for the time He say something and it would just fit in naturally. Timing it out and waiting for your attention to be so wrapped up in the truth and honesty of your "mutterings" that He could say something simple like, "What did he say then?" and you answer it before you realise He said anything and the whole sky opens up. After that, you never feel alone. You will find time to be with Him as if you were "finding time" to meet your true love. No one really has to "find time" for that.
BUT, after you have children and there are people around you....find a place away when you can. When they are babies....not a problem. But when they get older they begin to doubt your mind if you mutter.....
leia
I dated a guy for several years who was heavily into martial arts especiallly the "internal" aspect of them and those arts focused heavily on harnessing your internal power.
I got into it a little with him and it was neat (at the time). I was not involved in church then... had gotten pretty far away from it.
Here's my take. I have "meditated" and did find it was able to help me relax somewhat.
Now that I have found a relationship with the Lord I find sincere prayer does much more than meditating ever did for me. When I give things to Him, the stress subsides and peace and joy moves in.
I also find a great sense of joy ... I mean huge!... when I pray a prayer of praise and thanks... trying to remember all the wonderful ways he works and things he has done specifically.
Never got that from meditating!
In short, I think meditation promotes self-help. An "I can handle it on my own" mentalitiy. Prayer is the recognition that we are in the hands of God and rely on him.
In the martial arts realm, meditation often opens doors to other aspects of the martial arts that I think are very dangerous areas. I'm not certain that it is all wrong but for me it is a huge gray area that I would prefer to stay away from.
Now instead of meditating I pray or reflect on God's goodness.
A walk in nature pondering the many wonderful ways God works and the beauty of his work is more relaxing than "meditation" in the eastern sense of the word. Of course, I consider what I do meditation, but with God at the center, instead of just blanking out my mind and humming and "centering" etc. and waiting for something to happen.
Prayer trumps "meditation" anyday!
I got into it a little with him and it was neat (at the time). I was not involved in church then... had gotten pretty far away from it.
Here's my take. I have "meditated" and did find it was able to help me relax somewhat.
Now that I have found a relationship with the Lord I find sincere prayer does much more than meditating ever did for me. When I give things to Him, the stress subsides and peace and joy moves in.
I also find a great sense of joy ... I mean huge!... when I pray a prayer of praise and thanks... trying to remember all the wonderful ways he works and things he has done specifically.
Never got that from meditating!
In short, I think meditation promotes self-help. An "I can handle it on my own" mentalitiy. Prayer is the recognition that we are in the hands of God and rely on him.
In the martial arts realm, meditation often opens doors to other aspects of the martial arts that I think are very dangerous areas. I'm not certain that it is all wrong but for me it is a huge gray area that I would prefer to stay away from.
Now instead of meditating I pray or reflect on God's goodness.
A walk in nature pondering the many wonderful ways God works and the beauty of his work is more relaxing than "meditation" in the eastern sense of the word. Of course, I consider what I do meditation, but with God at the center, instead of just blanking out my mind and humming and "centering" etc. and waiting for something to happen.
Prayer trumps "meditation" anyday!
The Bible says pray and watch .
watch , because God will answer your prayer , but not always in an obvious , ( or affirmatory ) , way .
Meditation is different . Like Leia says , its a dialogue .
Prayer is a dialogue , but its a different thing .
Meditation has been stripped out from the house of God , like timbers replaced with steel struts , but its a very powerful thing . David swore by it . Its a way for God to develop your understanding , your mental processes .
watch , because God will answer your prayer , but not always in an obvious , ( or affirmatory ) , way .
Meditation is different . Like Leia says , its a dialogue .
Prayer is a dialogue , but its a different thing .
Meditation has been stripped out from the house of God , like timbers replaced with steel struts , but its a very powerful thing . David swore by it . Its a way for God to develop your understanding , your mental processes .
Maybe we need to define meditation? I think meditation (biblically) is vital but it sounded to me like Lilshep was asking about meditation in the eastern mysticism belief system. If I misunderstood, Sorry.
meditation:
n 1: continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature; "the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge" [syn: speculation] 2: (religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)
So I guess meditation in and of itself is not bad. Its a matter of what are we meditating on and how and why.
Personally, I feel the Lord would be very displeased with me if I were to meditate like my ex taught me. He also took Reiki-- a healing art where you could learn to "harness your energy" for self- healing or the healing of others. Meditation played a huge part in this because if you did it wrong you could seriously hurt someone.
(I don't recall Jesus ever accidentally hurting someone he was trying to heal....)
To him, meditation was a means of harnessing internal power (chi) to use in healing, fighting, reading peoples auras, sensing untold things about them, etc...
He was intent on harnessing a powerful force that he thought came from within him. I have wondered where that power really came from.....
He also believed that with enogh meditation he could attain supernatural powers... others at his dojo and around had.....
He adamentally didn't believe in God or anything else except our own "inate yet usually unharnessed" powers attainable thru intense training and meditation. He was/is career martial artist.
That being said, I also think the Lord WANTS me/ us to meditate on him. Like David did.
meditation:
n 1: continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature; "the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge" [syn: speculation] 2: (religion) contemplation of spiritual matters (usually on religious or philosophical subjects)
So I guess meditation in and of itself is not bad. Its a matter of what are we meditating on and how and why.
Personally, I feel the Lord would be very displeased with me if I were to meditate like my ex taught me. He also took Reiki-- a healing art where you could learn to "harness your energy" for self- healing or the healing of others. Meditation played a huge part in this because if you did it wrong you could seriously hurt someone.
(I don't recall Jesus ever accidentally hurting someone he was trying to heal....)To him, meditation was a means of harnessing internal power (chi) to use in healing, fighting, reading peoples auras, sensing untold things about them, etc...
He was intent on harnessing a powerful force that he thought came from within him. I have wondered where that power really came from.....
He also believed that with enogh meditation he could attain supernatural powers... others at his dojo and around had.....
He adamentally didn't believe in God or anything else except our own "inate yet usually unharnessed" powers attainable thru intense training and meditation. He was/is career martial artist.
That being said, I also think the Lord WANTS me/ us to meditate on him. Like David did.
Quoted from lov4all, the above post:
To him, meditation was a means of harnessing internal power (chi) to use in healing, fighting, reading peoples auras, sensing untold things about them, etc...
He was intent on harnessing a powerful force that he thought came from within him. I have wondered where that power really came from.....
He also believed that with enogh meditation he could attain supernatural powers... others at his dojo and around had.....
He adamentally didn't believe in God or anything else except our own "inate yet usually unharnessed" powers attainable thru intense training and meditation. He was/is career martial artist.
**********************
I thot about:
The Bible says:
You can do NOTHING without Me.
You can do ALL things thru Christ.
We are born spiritually dead, and when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are born (Spiritually) from Heaven. We receive Pow'r from the Holy Ghost.
*************
Does the un-saved person have ANY Pow'r within himself? I don't think so. If an un-believer has ANY pow'r , it comes from Satan and his companions.
One (supposedly) good thing about Occult Pow'r is: The Powerful Force does not Judge you. There's no Hell to pay, if we mis-behave.
That's why many people hate Christianity so much. Christianity is Judgemental.
Jesus preached righteousness, and He taught that men were sinful; in need of a Savior. So, the Many hated Him.
A Few admitted that Jesus was True, and they repented, and found Salvation in Christ.
dennis manning
To him, meditation was a means of harnessing internal power (chi) to use in healing, fighting, reading peoples auras, sensing untold things about them, etc...
He was intent on harnessing a powerful force that he thought came from within him. I have wondered where that power really came from.....
He also believed that with enogh meditation he could attain supernatural powers... others at his dojo and around had.....
He adamentally didn't believe in God or anything else except our own "inate yet usually unharnessed" powers attainable thru intense training and meditation. He was/is career martial artist.
**********************
I thot about:
The Bible says:
You can do NOTHING without Me.
You can do ALL things thru Christ.
We are born spiritually dead, and when we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are born (Spiritually) from Heaven. We receive Pow'r from the Holy Ghost.
*************
Does the un-saved person have ANY Pow'r within himself? I don't think so. If an un-believer has ANY pow'r , it comes from Satan and his companions.
One (supposedly) good thing about Occult Pow'r is: The Powerful Force does not Judge you. There's no Hell to pay, if we mis-behave.
That's why many people hate Christianity so much. Christianity is Judgemental.
Jesus preached righteousness, and He taught that men were sinful; in need of a Savior. So, the Many hated Him.
A Few admitted that Jesus was True, and they repented, and found Salvation in Christ.
dennis manning
QUOTE(simplebaby @ Nov 25 2005, 08:01 AM)
Dennis , you know a bit too much for my liking .
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
[right][snapback]24980[/snapback][/right]
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
[right][snapback]24980[/snapback][/right]
Yes, was that him at the Ganges?
Jokes apart, it is written, "Be still and know that I am God". We can only accomplish this situation through meditation - not of the occult variety though!
The danger here is that in being "still", if we waver in our God focus, we stand the risk of allowing undesirable malevolent satanic spirits to possess us; for there can be no vacuum.
Focus on knowing God in our meditations is what differentiates Christian meditation from occultic meditation; for both meditations are spirituatl experiences.
Love of Christ.
MBATOMON.
QUOTE(ROSEMBATOMON @ Nov 25 2005, 10:55 AM)
The danger here is that in being "still", if we waver in our God focus, we stand the risk of allowing undesirable malevolent satanic spirits to possess us; for there can be no vacuum.
Focus on knowing God in our meditations is what differentiates Christian meditation from occultic meditation; for both meditations are spirituatl experiences.
[right][snapback]25028[/snapback][/right]
Focus on knowing God in our meditations is what differentiates Christian meditation from occultic meditation; for both meditations are spirituatl experiences.
[right][snapback]25028[/snapback][/right]
Excellent point. We are under God's natural laws adn nature hates a vaccum. Something will always occupy a space under normal conditions. If you can not discern who is who, perhaps playing with fire is not a good idea. The dark will pretend they are light and look as close to godly as they must to get you where they want you. And they will take you away by baby steps.
leia
QUOTE
The Bible says:
You can do NOTHING without Me.
You can do ALL things thru Christ.
You can do NOTHING without Me.
You can do ALL things thru Christ.
QUOTE
The danger here is that in being "still", if we waver in our God focus, we stand the risk of allowing undesirable malevolent satanic spirits to possess us; for there can be no vacuum.
I agree totally!
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The mind of Christ to all through the LORD Jesus Christ..The Living Word of God.
LittleKingofShepherds..
If you want to be a Little King of Shepherds then you must HEAR the voice of the
LORD and you must DO what you hear.
The wise man is the one that digs deep(repents from ALL sin) and builds his house
upon the Rock. The LORD Jesus Christ..The Living Word of God.
You must not leave any sand(your prior life including beliefs) on top of the Rock
which you build your house. If you do it will fall.
The eyes are the window and your ears are the doorway to your soul. Whatever you put before your eyes will enter straight to your heart. Whatever you listen to
will also enter into your heart. Whatever you look at or listen to is what your thought's (meditations) of your heart will be. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mat.12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable
in thy sight, O LORD, my *strength(Rock) and redeemer.
The seven verses that lead up to that supplication of David in verse 14 are something to meditate on.
If you read books other than the Bible..watch TV..listen to secular music or talk
radio..go to movies or rent DVD's(even "christian"
) you open yourself up to
the deceitful darkness and leaven of this world.
1Cor.5:6b,7a,b
Know ye not that a little leaven..leavens the whole lump?
*PURGE(cleanse) OUT therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
Even if you read the Word of God(eat the body and drink of the blood of the LORD)
unworthily you will eat damnation unto yourself..not discerning the Lord's body.1Cor.11:29
Mat.6:22,23
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be *single(clear), thy
whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be *evil(foggy), thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how *great(terrible) is that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: Mat.6:24a
James 1:8,7
A *double-minded(two faced) man is unstable in all his ways.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye
are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
concerning "of sin" in the scripture above..
Romans 14:23c
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Nothing besides the Word of God can bring Faith.
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh..The Truth..The Life..The ONLY Way..
Faith comes by hearing, hearing (comes) by the Word of God.
If you want to be 'FAITHFUL' then it takes your whole mind..your whole heart..and all of your strength and nothing less.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Be in the Word always. Then your meditations will naturally be acceptable to God.
A good way to start the day is with a Proverb.
A good way to end your day is with a Psalm.
Psalm 119 is an excellent Psalm to read often.
Psalm 1
BLESSED is the man that
walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the way of the sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law does he *meditate(study) day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not *wither(fade); and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not *stand(rise) in the judgment, nor the sinners in
the *congregation(assembly) of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2Chron.7:14
If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray,
and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then
will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will hear their land.
Phil.2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
now go read verses 6,7,and 8.
Happy meditating to you all..
Peace,Tom
The mind of Christ to all through the LORD Jesus Christ..The Living Word of God.
LittleKingofShepherds..
If you want to be a Little King of Shepherds then you must HEAR the voice of the
LORD and you must DO what you hear.
The wise man is the one that digs deep(repents from ALL sin) and builds his house
upon the Rock. The LORD Jesus Christ..The Living Word of God.
You must not leave any sand(your prior life including beliefs) on top of the Rock
which you build your house. If you do it will fall.
The eyes are the window and your ears are the doorway to your soul. Whatever you put before your eyes will enter straight to your heart. Whatever you listen to
will also enter into your heart. Whatever you look at or listen to is what your thought's (meditations) of your heart will be. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mat.12:37
For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable
in thy sight, O LORD, my *strength(Rock) and redeemer.
The seven verses that lead up to that supplication of David in verse 14 are something to meditate on.
If you read books other than the Bible..watch TV..listen to secular music or talk
radio..go to movies or rent DVD's(even "christian"
) you open yourself up tothe deceitful darkness and leaven of this world.
1Cor.5:6b,7a,b
Know ye not that a little leaven..leavens the whole lump?
*PURGE(cleanse) OUT therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.
Even if you read the Word of God(eat the body and drink of the blood of the LORD)
unworthily you will eat damnation unto yourself..not discerning the Lord's body.1Cor.11:29
Mat.6:22,23
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be *single(clear), thy
whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be *evil(foggy), thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how *great(terrible) is that darkness!
No man can serve two masters: Mat.6:24a
James 1:8,7
A *double-minded(two faced) man is unstable in all his ways.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Romans 6:16
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye
are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
concerning "of sin" in the scripture above..
Romans 14:23c
for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Nothing besides the Word of God can bring Faith.
Jesus is the Word of God made flesh..The Truth..The Life..The ONLY Way..
Faith comes by hearing, hearing (comes) by the Word of God.
If you want to be 'FAITHFUL' then it takes your whole mind..your whole heart..and all of your strength and nothing less.
Ask, Seek, Knock
Be in the Word always. Then your meditations will naturally be acceptable to God.
A good way to start the day is with a Proverb.
A good way to end your day is with a Psalm.
Psalm 119 is an excellent Psalm to read often.
Psalm 1
BLESSED is the man that
walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the way of the sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law does he *meditate(study) day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not *wither(fade); and whatsoever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not *stand(rise) in the judgment, nor the sinners in
the *congregation(assembly) of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2Chron.7:14
If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves,
and pray,
and seek my face,
and turn from their wicked ways;
then
will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will hear their land.
Phil.2:5
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
now go read verses 6,7,and 8.
Happy meditating to you all..
Peace,Tom
QUOTE(simplebaby @ Nov 25 2005, 01:01 PM)
Dennis , you know a bit too much for my liking .
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
[right][snapback]24980[/snapback][/right]
Was that you I saw dipping in the Ganges at Divali ?
[right][snapback]24980[/snapback][/right]
***********************
Dave Hunt sells paper-back books
very reasonable prices
some he wrote
others, other people wrote,
I bot and read "Death of a Guru" by (can't remember the author's name)
The book told of a Hindu young man (Brahman, the highest and most loved, most holy caste in Hindu) who lived on an island nation in the Caribbean Sea.
He converted to Christianity, and wrote the book. It describes his religion, background, astral travels, meditation, Karma,
His meditation involved lighted candles and a statue of a god in a special room of the home.
In Hindu:
If you're "good" in this life, you'll be re-incarnated to a higher form of life, or to a higher caste.
If you're born into a low caste, that PROVES that you were "bad" in the previous life, you got what you deserve, and
forgiveness and charity is in-appropriate,
and you can't move to a higher caste until a future re-incarnation.
If you're born into a Brahman family, that PROVES that you were "good" in previous lives, you DESERVE love, adoration, respect, gifts, the good life, etc
If your parents are in the un-touchable caste, then you're un-touchable. And your children will be un-touchable.
BUT! Karma can move you up or down the caste ladder, by re-incarnating you into the appropriate caste family.
Said Hindu young man was constantly "second-guessing and checking" his behavior, emotions, motivations, attitudes ,,, to make SURE that he wasn't being "bad" in this "current" re-incarnation.
Karma means that "You're getting what you deserve". So, we shouldn't interfere with what's going on in people's lives. So,,,,
No forgiveness,
No charity,
No social climbing,
No sympathy,
The Hindu MUST pay for his own sins, with his own efforts, good works, etc
In Christianity, Christ paid for ALL our sins, so we don't have to. We don't have to WAIT for future redemption; we can have Redemption RIGHT NOW! At no cost to us.
dennis manning
QUOTE(Leia @ Nov 25 2005, 02:01 PM)
QUOTE(ROSEMBATOMON @ Nov 25 2005, 10:55 AM)
The danger here is that in being "still", if we waver in our God focus, we stand the risk of allowing undesirable malevolent satanic spirits to possess us; for there can be no vacuum.
Focus on knowing God in our meditations is what differentiates Christian meditation from occultic meditation; for both meditations are spirituatl experiences.
[right][snapback]25028[/snapback][/right]
Excellent point. We are under God's natural laws adn nature hates a vaccum. Something will always occupy a space under normal conditions. If you can not discern who is who, perhaps playing with fire is not a good idea. The dark will pretend they are light and look as close to godly as they must to get you where they want you. And they will take you away by baby steps.
leia
[right][snapback]25049[/snapback][/right]
I agree.
MBATOMON.
So true.
Thinking that we would ever be good enough by works or meditation alone..what a hypocracy.
For Jesus died on a cross for our sins. We give him all the glory. He leads us beside still waters, and restores our soul.
But we live in a world of sin...and unless your a hermit and are not working in the world to spread the good news, feed the hungry and the widow...then what good would it be to be redeemed in the LORD JESUS?
Did not Jesus go into divers places to help the lost.
In this dance class I am in....I HAVE SEEN THE EVIL right before my eyes...and witnessed to the one LOST in trying to deceive the rest of the class...and her mocking spirit is so apparent. Now my sister whom has been deaf most her life...but PRAISE JESUS with operation is now better in hearing...but she doens't UNDERSTAND spiritual warfare and how they operate with the elements.
She thinks just because she is praising God and it feels good and is shown visions that it's ok. But what good are visions if there is no understanding of them?
I AM THERE TO PROTECT MY SISTER, and hoping that others there start realizing what the heck is going on. I will be there until I feel the LORD wants me to move to other places. I will testify to those there of what I feel drawn by the HOLY GHOST to reveal to them.
LEAI...THANK YOU....you made it so clear to me by demostrating the circle thing.
I praise JESUS that he has given you this special gift of discernment.
Stay close to Jesus...read his WORD...follow him and he walks before us.
It's scary the church I used to attend has taken down there Cross outside...and they where to have baptisism service two weeks ago but had a main water break and where unable to. The first thing that the preacher said was he thinks that some Spiritual warfare was going on.
Those in the dance class the instructors go to that church...and they where taking flags of many colors and sticking the handle to the ground and making motions like digging a whole in the ground. I told them I see a BOW in the CLOUD....and JESUS is coming back to take his children...AND that JESUS LOVES HIS CHILDREN...as soon as this happened someone screamed out KNOCK IT DOWN...hmmm I started crying for I felt they lost their focus on CHRIST JESUS...they where all Babbling words in Tongues as they continued their motions with the flags...NO interpretor I might add...and the Bible clearly states that there should be an interpretor when one has the gift of tongues DOES IT NOT????
My sister, I told her what I saw...and yet she still refuses to beleive that anything was amiss. So I feel led by the HOLY GHOST to stand by my sis and still go and protect her and yet also witness to other members there.
My question comes to this? Did Jesus go into perilous places to save the LOST?
I beleive he did. He casts out demons and sent them into pigs. He hates not the sinner but the sin.
HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER, I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU...he prepares a place for us and his Spirit is Alive within us...we humble ourselves to honor his HOLY NAME JESUS
Thinking that we would ever be good enough by works or meditation alone..what a hypocracy.
For Jesus died on a cross for our sins. We give him all the glory. He leads us beside still waters, and restores our soul.
But we live in a world of sin...and unless your a hermit and are not working in the world to spread the good news, feed the hungry and the widow...then what good would it be to be redeemed in the LORD JESUS?
Did not Jesus go into divers places to help the lost.
In this dance class I am in....I HAVE SEEN THE EVIL right before my eyes...and witnessed to the one LOST in trying to deceive the rest of the class...and her mocking spirit is so apparent. Now my sister whom has been deaf most her life...but PRAISE JESUS with operation is now better in hearing...but she doens't UNDERSTAND spiritual warfare and how they operate with the elements.
She thinks just because she is praising God and it feels good and is shown visions that it's ok. But what good are visions if there is no understanding of them?
I AM THERE TO PROTECT MY SISTER, and hoping that others there start realizing what the heck is going on. I will be there until I feel the LORD wants me to move to other places. I will testify to those there of what I feel drawn by the HOLY GHOST to reveal to them.
LEAI...THANK YOU....you made it so clear to me by demostrating the circle thing.
I praise JESUS that he has given you this special gift of discernment.
Stay close to Jesus...read his WORD...follow him and he walks before us.
It's scary the church I used to attend has taken down there Cross outside...and they where to have baptisism service two weeks ago but had a main water break and where unable to. The first thing that the preacher said was he thinks that some Spiritual warfare was going on.
Those in the dance class the instructors go to that church...and they where taking flags of many colors and sticking the handle to the ground and making motions like digging a whole in the ground. I told them I see a BOW in the CLOUD....and JESUS is coming back to take his children...AND that JESUS LOVES HIS CHILDREN...as soon as this happened someone screamed out KNOCK IT DOWN...hmmm I started crying for I felt they lost their focus on CHRIST JESUS...they where all Babbling words in Tongues as they continued their motions with the flags...NO interpretor I might add...and the Bible clearly states that there should be an interpretor when one has the gift of tongues DOES IT NOT????
My sister, I told her what I saw...and yet she still refuses to beleive that anything was amiss. So I feel led by the HOLY GHOST to stand by my sis and still go and protect her and yet also witness to other members there.
My question comes to this? Did Jesus go into perilous places to save the LOST?
I beleive he did. He casts out demons and sent them into pigs. He hates not the sinner but the sin.
HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER, I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU...he prepares a place for us and his Spirit is Alive within us...we humble ourselves to honor his HOLY NAME JESUS
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