George McFly September 11th, 2008

I drank some tea with Gandhi long ago. Then we went to a Bee-Gee's concert. It was a rockin' good time.

"Ah ah ah ah Staying aliiiiiivvvve……."

Hurk September 11th, 2008

Was it Gandhi who said that quote, or did it come through the mouth of the Great Gandhi's translator?

Erik September 11th, 2008

That was pre-cow incarnation saggy diaper wearing Gandhi.

Chemical Erik September 11th, 2008

Erik – I didn't realize you know McFly. I mean, the two of you never talk to each other. I also never see the two of you in the same place at the same time….

Tony Heringer September 11th, 2008

Erik,

On the show, I found it funny after a lengthy explanation of his traversing all forms of the organized church and not having a bad experience he notes two reasons for leaving. The first reason given was that he was bored. That really jumped out at me. Maybe a harmless slip of the tongue or the real reason for his quest.

On a side note, how does one hear this podcast live?

We went down to Mississippi right after Katrina and the local churches in that area are awesome. We worshiped in one of the churches while we were there and it was no problem inviting folks we were serving to come with us. In an area that looked like a bomb went off there was little to no pretension about worshipping God together.

Thanks for being transparent on meditation. Over the years I've also dabbled with it and like you said it can be a very visceral experience.

Obed September 11th, 2008

I've been in a discussion on iMonk's website about some of the issues that Viola brought up. It seems to me that biblically, the Church exsists in two facets: Church Universal and Church Local. While these can be expressed via the Church Institutional (or Denominational), that's not necessarily necessary. But it's not bad either. I guess as long as Viola's stuff is still legitimately Church Local, it's cool. But so is going to Mass or to your local Megachurch. In theory, anyway.

"Church" is one of those words that has too dang many definitions!

Chemical Erik September 12th, 2008

You talked about me and I haven't had a chance to call for a long time. I feel loved.

Erik September 12th, 2008

Feel it real good, because you are loved.

Mike September 17th, 2008

Eric, you have always been the one that I have identified the most and all was ok this episode until you got to the breathing in of the golden light and eshailing darkness. I have heard those exact words many times. I mean when you google it you get all kinds of eastern meditation and occult crap. I have a slight history of occultism so i'm always noticing little back doors like that, that could allow the enemy a pinky toe in the door. I'm not condeming anything you are doing, just be careful while experimenting. I love hearing the stories of your journey and so much of it is the same stuff in my life right now, even the house selling . I'm glad to have you and your show to experience.

love brutha

Erik September 17th, 2008

Mike,

Thanks man. I really do appreciate your concern and the concern. As I've shared this experience of using my imagination in prayer, others have pointed out the similarity to eastern practices as well. I find that interesting because nobody ever told me about those practices or provided any guidance in that direction prior to my experience.

Also, if I didn't make this clear in the podcast, this experience with the golden light didn't "happen" to me. Rather, I was actively involved in using my imagination in a prayer to the God of the Bible.

I wasn't passively open to anything. I will say this though, even if I was, demons would have to be pretty bad-ass to displace the Spirit of The Living God.

If you're interested in more discussion on this, in the podcast I posted this morning, me and my friend Aaron talk some more about spiritual experimentation and the idea of "emptying" meditation in particular. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Mike September 18th, 2008

It's cool,man, It was just on my mind and kinda jumped at me when I heard you say it the first time. I havn't missed an episode of ETC/ping for like 3 years, it is cool to watch the progression. It's like I know you guys, you just don't know me back. I saw the new one up I'll be hearing it today. It is funny that you had never heard of the idea before experiencing it, I didn't know that part.
I'm very interested in new ways to experience God, i'm just cautious about some things, maybe overly cautious. I don't mean to put that on anyone else.