Meditation in Christianity

accepted ancient ascetic aspirant attain awareness became become beginning Bible body book of Revelation breathing called century Christ Christian Church concept consciousness contemplation continued described developed direct disciples discipline divine early East Eastern enter essential eternal everything exist experience Father finally followers give given goal heart heaven Hesychasts higher highest Holy human India individual inner Institute instructions Jesus John kingdom knowledge known leads learning light living Lord Luke mantra manuals Matt means meditation mental method mind monasteries monastic monks mystics nature never one's path Paul peace perfect person philosophy possible practice prayer reality realization reason referred religion religious remains Roman scriptures seeking seen sense similar soul spiritual student Swami Rama symbol teacher teachings temple things thought tradition truth turn ultimate understand union universal West Western whole writings yoga York