Mystical Forces Cannot Calm our Campuses
 

 
In the wake of the Virginia Tech slaughter, education and other leaders are looking in the wrong direction for a solution to stop the violence. Rather than prayer, God forbid, high schools and colleges are turning to mystical practices as calming agents. They couldn't have picked anything more dangerous.
This is particularly weighing on my heart as I had the privilege of having the first public showing of Caryl Matrisciana's new film, "Yoga Uncoiled from East to West--A Look into the Practice of Yoga in the Church." The audience was comprised of attendees of my church and many radio listeners. I consider most to be discerning, yet they gasped at the blatant deceit sweeping the world as to mysticism, and in this case, so-called "Christian Yoga." There was certainly the implication in the film that among the nation's 35 million Yoga enthusiasts, "Christian mantras," breathing techniques, meditation and more, could solve many problems today.
Could it even be an answer for campus violence in general? While at first it may appear to help calm and relax the meditator, in reality, he or she is coming into contact with "unseen forces" which are familiar spirits. These are demons set on deception.
What happened at Virginia Tech was the activity of demonic forces in a troubled young man. Through various forms of meditation/contemplation, "Christian Yoga," and more, we are not calming college campuses; we are calling on demonic forces to stir up more trouble and carnage and create resistance to anything holy.
Mysticism is epidemic in society today, including on high school and college campuses. In many instances one could use the words "occult practices." Kids employ mysticism to get better grades, find a boyfriend or girlfriend, and attempt to know the future and "be like God."
What truly will protect our schools and students is prayer--generally banned on many campuses. Organizations like Campus Crusade for Christ sent out e-mails during the Virginia Tech ordeal pleading for prayer.
Colleges today are playing with matches. Even Christian colleges/seminaries are cranking out students and pastors to "take back the church" with Emergent practices, teaching "green Christianity," contemplative prayer, and much more. Discernment is scarce even among Christian leaders. Is there any place that is safe?
The occultic violence activities among youth on campuses today are not due to gun access, parental problems, global warming, or President George W. Bush. They are due to the sinful nature of humanity.
Meditation and general mystical practices will never solve a problem like we saw at Virginia Tech. Christians on and off the campus will. Walking a college labyrinth will not make things more peaceful. Practicing the nonsense of "The Secret" will not bring tranquility and keep mad men off campuses. Deep breathing, "breath prayers," and Yoga will not calm things down in the individual or school.
The popular gimmick of "practicing the presence of God," which in the 21st century has turned mystical, will do no good because God is always present. As a recent radio guest, Dwayna Litz, says, "God is perfect and the reality of His presence needs no practice! Though it sounds intellectually and mystically impressive, it actually does not mean anything. There is no way to practice something perfect. God's presence is perfect."
Doing such an exercise at Virginia Tech would have changed nothing as this, too, is needless mysticism.
I recommend some of our products to help you understand this. They are available at "Our Products" athttp://www.olivetreeviews.org/catalog.shtml They are Caryl Matrisciana's brilliant new film on "Christian Yoga" and mysticism in general, Brian Flynn's book, "Running Against the Wind: A Former New Age Medium and His Warning to the Church," and Ray Yungen's book, "A Time of Departing: How a Universal Spirituality Is Changing the Face of Christianity." My DVD, "Mysticism: An Equal Opportunity Deceiver," is also helpful and available at the same location as well as Gary Gilley's book "This Little Church Stayed Home: A Faithful Church in Deceptive Times."
Awaiting His return, Jan Markell