Journey to the Light:
Asia Journal Theology October 31, 2023 Moe Moe Nyunt
A comparative study of two orthodox religious practices—Buddhist vipassana meditation and Christian hesychastic prayer—finds that both share the idea of meditation as an inner journey toward enlightenment. The Buddhist yogi seeks enlightenment by observing the changing nature of the mind-body relationship, hoping for rebirth as a deva or Brahma. The Christian hesychast is awakened by the Spirit of God through contemplative prayer, unifying mind-heart with the trinitarian God. Both practices transform practitioners to shine in the world, but the deified hesychast lives in light of eternity.