Kundalini and baptism in the Spirit...

While reading "Jesus the teacher within" by Laurence Freeman,  I came across the word "Kundalini" which is common in eastern religion. I had never heard of this before. So a quick wiki search and I came up with the definition as well as what Kundalini looks like when manifest. Its basic definition is a corporeal energy which is based in the spine. While the physical effects are as follows::

• Involuntary jerks, tremors, shaking, itching, tingling, and crawling sensations, especially in the arms and legs
• Energy rushes or feelings of electricity circulating the body
• Intense heat (sweating) or cold, especially as energy is experienced passing through the chakras
• Spontaneous pranayama, asanas, mudras and bandhas
• Visions or sounds at times associated with a particular chakra
• Diminished sexual desire or a state of constant orgasm
• Emotional purgings in which particular emotions become dominant for short periods of time.^[19]
• Depression
• Pressure inside the skull and headache
• Bliss, feelings of infinite love and universal connectedness, transcendent awareness

What I found interesting was  8 out of 10 of these descriptions I have heard as definitions of been 'Baptised in the Holy Spirit' or manifestations of God, especially within a church service. (Yes even the constant state of orgasm!) I've actually experienced a few of these myself. That yes I would attribute these to God. These manifestations are especially evident in the Vineyard denomination which was the last Church which I ministered in. 

CS Lewis (I think) in 'Mere Christianity' made the point that Christianity does share much with other religions and it is specifically grace where Christianity is distinct.

Related articles

• Kundalini Meditation (brighthub.com)
• Is there a "mere Christianity"? (geneveith.com)

Missional reflections

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Hamo over in West put up a blog post reflecting on his missional journey now and his thoughts for the future. It is an interesting read

Much of what he has written I can relate to yet, I've changed. I'm not as feverent for new 'converts'.
I suppose mainly it is about my theology. I am more convinced of the coming and living in the Kingdom of God. Not just the emphasis of 'Signs and Wonders' of the Vineyard which was a large part of my life.
I'd rather use the language of 'making disciples'. That working in the theology of the 'Here and Now' means listening and doing what Jesus would do. It can be pretty simple. Caring for God's earth, looking out for those less fortunate than you, a smile to a stranger. Conversing with someone who is avoided by others.  The Vineyard had an emphasis of about 90% on the 'signs and wonders' and a token acknowledgement by the rest. (This is not always the case, Tri Robison's Vineyard church put a huge emphasis on creation care) 
I've a good friends who I would call a follower of Jesus yet an atheist; an oxymoron. Yet through  him I see God's kingdom advancing. He works on refugee camps giving his time generously, he is environmentally conscientious. Strangely he believes Jesus exists and thinks he is the prime example of how Humans should live.
Yet their are things which Evangelical/fundamentalist  tradition doesn't get him over the line. Stuff which is is often (And rightly so) implied in the Bible. Jesus divinity, the atonement etc etc.
I don't care any more, so long as people are advancing the Kingdom. As NT Wright says the 'New earth' is getting closer. (Maybe wrong with this interpretation but that is how I read it.)
The other thing I like about a 'Kingdom' world view is 'mission' happens where we are. Incarnating where we are.

Related articles

• Piracy: Jesus Did It (unreasonablefaith.com)

NT Wright:: The tension of Worship and Mission

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This quote comes from "The meaning of Jesus; Two vision" by NT Wright and Marcus J Borg. The quote is NT Wrights::

I have come (not very originally) to envisage the two poles of Christian living in terms of worship and mission. The two flow into each other: worship without mission becomes self-indulgence (and might imply worship of a god other than the one revealed in Jesus); mission without worship degenerates into various kinds of do-goodery, following agendas that may be deeply felt but are by no means necessarily connected with Jesus.

Its interesting that I've seen this on both sides. Yet it is mainly my Charismatic/Evangelical heritage especially in the Vineyard denomination which I saw an extreme of 'worshipping' the god of worship.  I suspect it would have been this way if I went to Hillsong.

There is no doubt that good music/worship is an attractive influence on going to Church. I miss the "minors" of the Jesus is my boyfriend of worship music of the modern era. The new church which we attend the music is back a couple of decades in worship music style. But what I appreciate is the whole service is a call to worship. The lyrics are majestic in nature, aimed at God and his creation. Yet even though there is a different emphasis I think the balance of mission  is lacking. So its probably up to myself to balance the tension with mission....

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• Should Jesus be worshippped? (pastorbobcornwall.blogspot.com)
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Institutional Church and the Vineyard

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Cutting edge had an interesting and positive article in their cutting edge summer 2010, on the institution of the 'Church'

Alan Hirsch wrote on his facebook "I am somewhat taken aback by this coming as it does from within the Vineyard *movement*. It sounds more like a Catholic or Anglo-Catholic take on ecclesiology."

I've read what Bert Wagner wrote and I'm a bit uncomfortable about his take on institutions. For example 'marriage' been an institution. I actually like the Catholic idea of it been a 'sacrament', a mode of God's grace.

Never the less, the Vineyard in the States is a denomination. (I'm not sure that the Australian Vineyard has the structure to say this). I'm comfortable about the 'institution' language and believe that God can work though this with it's stability and accountability; you just need some rebels around the edges.