To: K-list
Recieved: 2004/04/17 21:11
Subject: Re: [K-list] Absorption States (Jhanas) Within A Theistic Conte
From: David Bozzi
On 2004/04/17 21:11, David Bozzi posted thus to the K-list:
Jeffrey Brooks wrote:
>It is not that insight and absorption are different
>practice paths, but they are simply the natural
>consequence of the successful execution of any
>contemplative tradition, not just Buddhism. For
>instance in Christianity their is a record of their
>mystics experiencing various absorption states, which
>are often referred to as 'ecstasies.' Theresa of
>Avila and her student John of the Cross actually
>articulated 7 levels of absorption, which as you may
>notice just in numbers alone parallels the Buddha's
>concept of the 8 jhanas.
>
In the sky there was a cloud.
My mother thought is was a devil.
My father,
he thought it was the Christ.
My sister thought it was a piece of shit
in the shape of alot of technical jargon.
When in Truth
all the while
it simply is
blessings...
>In Christianity there is also a long tradition around
>the concept of revelation, in which the gospels are
>revealed and made alive to the mystic. In the way
>revelation is articulated in the Gospels it seems
>clear it is simply the Christian equivalent of
>insight. Therefore this should serve as evidence to
>prove that insight and absorption are just two of the
>many manifestations of the religious experience.
>
>Just because Buddhism rejects a discussion of a
>personified Godhead, does not mean there are not many
>parallels that can be drawn to mystics in the various
>theistic religions. Since theists tend to describe
>their God in terms of an infinite dimension, then I
>believe it is reasonable to acknowledge that the
>nonmaterial absorptions (arupa-jhanas) are
>fundamentally the experience of the union (yoga) with
>the infinite God (Jehovah/Brahma).
>
>Each mystic tradition has its own names and ways of
>describing these absorption states. In Christianity
>it is often referred to as a marriage with the Holy
>Spirit or Christ. In Kabballa it is called devukutt
>with the Shakina. In Sufism it is called fana or
>annihilation, and in Hinduism it is called union
>(yoga) or absorption (samadhi).
>
>In the Contemplative Christian and Charismatic
>Christian movements there are generally various
>concepts such as the Christian Bridal Mystic path
>which looks at the various charismatic phenomena as a
>kind of wedding with the Christ. The Charismatic
>Christian movement speaks of a charismatic experience
>that is described as "baptism in the Spirit." It is
>these various charismatic experiences of the "baptism
>in the Spirit" that are characteristic of the
>absorption states (jhana) of Buddhism. And, it is the
>intention of the Christian mystic to engage those
>charismatic phenomena, as frequently as possible and
>to submit to them at greater and deeper levels.
>
>In Buddhism, the contemplatives who seek the
>absorption states (jhanas) endeavor to do the same
>thing as the contemplative and charismatic Christians
>do, to engages those absorption states as frequently
>as one can, and to take the deepest refuge within them
>all of the way to cessation (nibbana).
>
>I believe we can draw parallels between the various
>absorption states across cultural boundaries. I am
>certain if enlightenment is a valid pursuit, then it
>must be something that transcends the cultural
>context.
>
>THE ABSORPTION STATES
>
>If a theistic mystic experiences union (yoga) with a
>God of infinite dimension, then that would be the same
>as the 5th absorption (jhana) in Buddhism. If a
>theistic mystic experiences union (yoga) with a God of
>infinite time, then I believe it is reasonable to say
>that mystic experienced the 6th absorption (jhana).
>If a theistic mystic experiences union (yoga) with a
>God of infinite being or consciousness, then that
>would be the same as the 7th absorption (jhana).
>
>When a mystic within the context of theism is so
>united (yoga) with God that he or she cannot
>distinguish between either this nor that, then that
>would be the same as the 8th absorption (jhana). If a
>theistic mystic experiences union (yoga) with a God in
>which there is no sensible dimension (blackness), then
>that would be the same as the 9th absorption (jhana),
>which is otherwise known as the full "Monty"
>enlightenment (nibbana).
>
>In conclusion I believe it is reasonable to equate the
>absorptions (jhanas/dhyanas) of Buddhism with the
>Christian Bridal Mystic path and the Charismatic
>Christian movement, or samadhi in the yogas and fana
>in Islam, as well as other concepts within the various
>theistic traditions.
>
>I hope this helps the mystics of all religions
>understand the commonality of the religious
>experience.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Jeff Brooks
>
>
>
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