By Catholic Evangelist, Eddie Russell FMI
Here we go again, yet another prayer technique to help know who we really are. Ho-hum, the Self-Awareness Supermarkets are full of them.
After all, we Catholics need a “wider view” and an “open mind” if we are going to get to know OURSELVES better say the manufacturers. Well, here’s a real doozey! It would have to be the fastest selling line at the moment. It is called…
Kything Prayer.
This is a way of calling up another person’s spirit to enter you, so that you can use their energy and gifts for yourself. You can also let others “centre” into your spirit to call your spirit to them. You can do this with saints as well as others who are dead and it’s all done in the name of Christian Prayer.
Not only that, the Enneagram, from which it comes, is the face of Jesus according to catholic priest Fr. Richard Rhor who stated at an enneagram retreat for nuns in England during 1994, “When I look upon the enneagram, I look upon the face of Christ.”
In secular marketing it is an offense to produce “false and misleading” advertising.
The fines are heavy, often as much as $60,000 + in Australia. Yet in the “Spiritual Fast Food Market” it seems only too acceptable and without censure. In this market they can sell any product manufactured by another company (in this case Sufism), wrap it in your packaging (Christianity) and sell it off as a genuine product.
These protagonists get away with it because your company’s packaging has a “Good” reputation and has been in business for 2000 years: They are guaranteed a best seller every time. This is especially successful if they can convince the Company Executives (Bishops) because the shareholders and members (Congregations), apart from the public, will believe anything they tell them. It will then be easier to convince them that the “Company Founder” (Jesus) intended it in His Last Will & Testament (Bible) in the first place.
After all, the Company Executives have been trained as “Executors” of His Will and the members have probably not read it anyway, let alone understood it. They will easily accept what is said without asking too many questions. But, just in case, say as little as possible, and inform them that it has been “Christianized”. This should keep them happy while they have a little taste to see how good it is. They will then feast merrily to their hearts content. By the time they get their teeth into it, they will have discarded the packaging, absorbed the contents and, viola! another one bites the dust!
Let’s not just take my word for it.
Let’s look at what Sr. Barbara Metz, S.N.D. de N. and Fr. John Burchill, O.P. say in their book, “the enneagram and prayer.” (appendix 3, pages 108, 109, 110) and decide for yourself.
[Throughout the rest of this article, all emphasis in quotes will be mine].
After quoting Jesus Prayer that we may all be one in Him, and how He and the Father would make their home in the us who keep His Word in John 17: 21, and John 14: 23, the “Christian Packaging” is discarded and the true nature of the contents are revealed, saying, “This kind of connection at a deep level can also be found in the relationships between human person’s and for this reason Kything can be a valuable practice for persons when they are feeling compulsed or under some particular stress which seems overwhelming.”
Note that this is not about the prayer that Jesus spoke of previously, but that which is between human and human and, God doesn’t come into it at all. The writer continues, “Kything is an activity that brings about a communion at the level of the spirit.”
Now this is a beaut’ copy line guaranteed to attract Christians who are hungrily looking for spiritual food.
But, what communion, and what spirit is it referring to? The next two sentences reveal it, “It involves focusing your spiritual presence in another person or their presence in you. When we Kythe with another person, at the level of the spirit with all of its energy and giftedness, we can share in their energies and giftedness.”
Another name for this practice is called, “Centering Prayer” and under this title it is promoted far and wide in many parishes.
It is clear that this is not what Jesus was referring to and, it also ignores the Biblical truth that “Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” (James 1: 7) Now we are seeing the subtle introduction of four Key “Christian” words, “communion”, “spirit”, “gifts” and “union.” Also, notice the word “in”.
According to Burchill and Metz you can have another person’s spirit in you rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit and His Gifts, which is the authentic source of true Christian prayer.
Well if this isn’t enough to alert the discerning consumer to a major spiritual problem, we find in the next paragraph a claim that the Enneagram will give you health, wholeness and even, redemption. It continues, “Through the knowledge of the Enneagram we learn the Arrow Theory in which we discover that the way to health, wholeness or redemption is for each personality to MOVE AGAINST THE ARROW.”
They claim the Enneagram to be the Saviour! Then it follows on regarding Gifts
“In the fall of 1985 I, John had to present the Enneagram program for the first time alone…. I drew strength at that time from a Kything prayer with Barbara, who is a SEVEN, and her gifts and energy helped me become a bit more serene in approaching the weekend… In Kything prayer you want to choose someone who is close to you, and whom you trust, and to whom you can trust yourself. You can choose someone who is in your good space (where you move against the arrow) and whose gifts you need.”
The Enneagram is Necromancy!
As the writer continues we find another very disturbing comment. “The person does not need to be physically present (Barbara was in Kenya when I Kythed with her), nor need the person be living. We can Kythe also with saints or with Jesus.” Oops! We can also Kythe with the dead!
Notice the writer uses a small “s” for “saints” and doesn’t use “the” to prefix it. If calling up the spirits of the dead isn’t bad enough, it continues with specific instructions on how to do it. “At times in our workshops some people express uncomfortableness with entering into another’s centre, but could invite the other person’s spirit into themselves. Do whatever is easy for you. Kything occurs in either form of union…. Invite the giftedness or energy you need to flow through your Kything partner and into you, be open to receive the gift or energy and welcome them in quiet.”
As Catholics we believe in the Communion of Saints, but there is nothing in Catholic Teaching that even suggests that we contact the dead let alone call on their spirits to enter us. Clearly, the Enneagram is inviting possession. In addition it is a serious invasion of another person’s soul and will and contravenes the teaching of the Catholic Church as well as Holy Scripture.
It doesn’t take much discernment to realise what ‘spirit’ is in operation here!
Nor do you have to be a scripture scholar to realise that all this has absolutely no foundation in Scripture. In fact it isn’t Prayer at all! (which is always directed to God). It is a purely “Psycho-spiritual-connection” and is diametrically opposed to Scripture. It denigrates the Holy Spirit and His Gifts to something that can be obtained by conjuring up a human spirit for your salvation and your needs, regardless of whether they be dead or alive. It also ignores the teaching of the Apostle Paul, “My God will fully supply whatever you need, in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Saint Peter’s warning in 2 Peter 2: 19, is timely, “They promise them freedom, though they themselves are slaves of corruption, for a person is a slave of whatever overcomes him.“
This text of St. Peter is also reflected in the Vatican Document:
Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on some aspects of Christian Meditation.
3. Christian prayer is always determined by the structure of the Christian faith, in which the very truth of God and creatures shines forth. For this reason, it is defined properly speaking, as a personal, intimate and profound dialogue between man and God. It expresses, therefore, the communion of redeemed creatures with the intimate life of the persons of the Trinity. This communion, based on baptism and the Eucharist, source and summit of the life of the Church, implies an attitude of conversion, a flight from “self” to the “you” of God.
Thus Christian prayer is at the same time always authentically personal and communitarian. It flees from impersonal techniques or from concentrating on oneself, which can create a kind of rut, imprisoning the person praying in a spiritual privatism which is incapable of free openness to the transcendental God.
Within the Church, in the legitimate search for new methods of meditation it must always be borne in mind that the essential element of authentic Christian prayer is the meeting of two freedoms, the infinite freedom of God with the finite freedom of man.
(Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith”. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ( now Pope Benedict), Prefect & Archbishop Alberto Bovone, Secretary. Oct 15th 1989).
See the Vatican Document on the New Age
See also DOMINUS IESUS
The original and authentic product.
Saint Paul states in 1Cor 12-11, “There are different kinds of Spiritual Gifts but the same (Holy) Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord: there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone (Christians). To each individual (Christian) the manifestation of the (Holy) Spirit is given for some benefit. To one is given through the (Holy) Spirit the expression of Wisdom; to another the expression of Knowledge according to the same (Holy) Spirit; to another Faith by the same (Holy) Spirit; to another Gifts of Healing by the one (Holy) Spirit; to another Miracles; to another Prophecy; to another Discernment of spirits; to another varieties of Tongues; to another Interpretation of Tongues. But one and the same (Holy) Spirit produces all these, distributing them individually to each person as he wishes.”
You may note that there are nine gifts of the Holy Spirit and there are nine numbers on the enneagram [Once called Sin Types but now called ‘Personality Types’]. The enneagram replaces the Gifts of the holy Spirit!
The “arrow theory” is presented as our redemption, healing and wholeness.
Thus, the Enneagram contradicts Scripture, Kything becomes the way of salvation and thereby denies Jesus Christ as Lord, Redeemer and Healer who alone makes us whole. The authentic message in Ephesians 1: 7. says, “In Him (Jesus) we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of our transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace that he has lavished upon us”… “In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit which is the first installment of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s possession.“
Again in Isaiah 53: 4-5, “Yet it was our infirmities that he bore, our sufferings that he endured, while we thought of him as stricken as one smitten by God and afflicted. But he was pierced for our offenses, crushed for our sins. Upon him was the chastisement that makes us whole, by his stripes we were healed.“
Matthew’s Gospel chapter 8: 16-17 also states, “When it was evening they brought him many who were possessed by demons, and he drove out the spirits by a word and cured ALL the sick, to fulfill what had been spoken by the prophet: ‘He took away our infirmities and bore our diseases“.
It is Jesus, and Jesus alone who gives Gifts, Saves, Heals, Redeems and makes us Whole, no other! Need I really quote the passages of Scripture that forbids us to communicate with the dead? (Necromancy). I’m sure you are familiar with them but just in case, read Deuteronomy 18:11-12, for one example.
A clever and subtle change of strategy.
Originally those who marketed the Enneagram stated that “Jesus had all “Nine Sin Types.”
In 1991 I challenged the then Jesuit director of the Catholic Education Office in Western Australia about their use of the Enneagram stating that this contradicted Scripture and Catholic Doctrine: Although Jesus was tempted in every way that we are, He did not sin! “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15).
After a lenghty debate about this and his feminist agenda the “Sin Types” were rewritten to read “Personality Types” but that is all that changed. Each “Sin Type” or “Personality Type” still has a “number” and an “animal” which may be a Bear or an Owl or some other beast. Clearly this is Totemism and reads somewhat like a Horoscope or Numerology Personality Analysis. All of which is incompatible with Catholic teaching. The Enneagram gives you a “Number and a Beast”. Now doesn’t that sound familiar? The packaging has changed, but the contents stay the same.
As for the “Arrow Theory” Saint Paul has a little theory of his own.
In Ephesians 6;10. where he says, “Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from His mighty power” and in verse 16, “In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one” and in verse 18, “With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the(Holy)Spirit.” Yes, Christians are supposed to “move against the arrows” but not to connect with them! But to extinguish them by faith. “Thus faith comes by what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10: 17). I am sure that if Catholics knew their Faith and the Biblical Word of God, they would not be so easily deceived by the subtle marketing and copy writing techniques of those who would have us believe that Jesus is lacking in “Good Gifts” and “Real Food”.
I was listening to a tape recently on which Fr. Richard Rhor (whilst conducting an Enneagram Retreat for Nuns in England), said that, when he looked upon the Enneagram, he looked upon the face of Christ. Now that’s a real problem! Jesus is an Enneagram! Or just as bad, the Enneagram is [God] Jesus! How can any intelligent person accept such obvious serious heresy and, not only accept it, but take up the practice? It defeats me. But I suppose that just proves my point about plausible people.
What is the Enneagram and where does it come from?
Briefly, the Enneagram is from Sufism and was developed by George Ivanovitch Gurdijeff in its current form. Gurdijeff was an Armenian living in Russia from 1877 to 1947. Gurdijeff, who was an occultist and Sufi master, held the view that the universe is “a living and evolving structure administered by conscious beings” and, that universe is also “an intelligent organism.”
In his book, “Beelzebub’s Tales to His Grandson” for example, Gurdijeff puts forward the argument that Beelzebub is not the Prince of Darkness found in Christian theology, but a member of the Cosmic Council. Gurdijeff also spoke of the planets and the moon as living beings. He was also deeply immersed in esoteric circles and taught about planetary influences, astral bodies, clairvoyance, telepathy, Kundilini and the Tarot Cards to name a few occult practices. Never-the-less many clergy and religious teach the Enneagram claiming that they have so-called, “Christianized” it.
The enneagram – a prequisite to becoming a Catholic Catechist.
I had stated previously on this page that “the Enneagram is a prerequisite at the Catholic Education Office in Perth for anyone training to be a teacher”. This resulted from a conversation with the Jesuit director of the CEO in 1991. In addition, we received information before and after the first print publication in 1994 from teachers who told us that the Enneagram was part of their formation.
In an email letter received on June 26 03 from Mr. Eric Chidlow, Assistant Director Religious Education and Faith Formation Section of the CEO in Perth WA stated that the Enneagram as a “prerequisite” was not correct and there is no statement or document that supports that claim and demanded that I remove this reference from this page. I informed him that I was glad to hear that, and if he would send me a Press Statement showing that the CEO had never used the Enneagram, I would be happy to publish that fact. I have heard nothing since.
However, I am thankfull to Mr Chidlow for his correction especially in the current climate and we know that over the last two years the Catholic Education Office in WA has been diligent in introducing the New Catholic Catechism – Recently, Principles and Teachers have been studying the new “General Directory for Catechesis.”
The Enneagram however, is high on the list of programs for those training to be Pastoral Workers through the Maranatha Institute of the Archdiocese of Perth and more recently it has been introduced into the training for Catechist’s Certificates in a unit on spirituality [2003]. In the advertising promotion it reads, “A method of self discovery and an aid to conversion and spiritual growth.” The Maranatha Institute seem to be claiming that the Enneagram will bring conversion, but to what? Doubtfully to Jesus Christ. It is more certainly to the Enneagram and that is the only spiritual growth that will be obtained: Enneagram Spirituality. – From information given to us we are informed that in the first level of the Enneagram Jesus is mentioned a lot. However, when the Enneagram progresses up to the fourth level there is little or no mention of Jesus at all.
The Maranatha Institute’s courses, that also include the Myers & Briggs program, Radiant Heart[A Christianised tantric yoga of sex], Labyrinths and other suspect practices, says that the Enneagram offers Catholics an opportunity to, “Deepen their knowledge and understanding of Catholic faith and practice.” Well, according to Maranatha, the Enneagram [and obviously these other practices] is the Catholic Faith which we must apparently practice if we want to grow in spirituality and service in the Church! Sadly and reprehensibly, these Enneagram programs are taught by nuns and priests in this institute.
Having said all this it would be unjust not to mention that there are lecturers and priests whose theology and integrity cannot be faulted and their courses are excellent. It’s just a pity that the Enneagram and many other so-called spiritual faith programs cannot be seen for what they are and removed from the cirriculum.
After spending over 40 years in Advertising and Marketing I must give credit to a damn good Marketing Strategy: Target those at the top because it takes less resistance for something to flow downhill. Well I hope it keeps going all the way to where it belongs because we all know that “Fast Foods” may give you a quick hunger fix, but in the end it’s still the same old Junk.
Finally a few Words from “our” sponsor.
“Yet we do speak a wisdom to those who are mature, but not a wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age who are passing away. Rather we speak God’s wisdom, mysterious, hidden, which God predetermined before the ages for our glory, and which none of the rulers of this age knew, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him.”.
“This God has revealed to us through the (Holy) Spirit. For the (Holy) Spirit scrutinizes everything, even the depths of God. Among human beings, who knows what pertains to a person except the spirit of the person that is within? (notice St. Paul does not advocate entering into another person’s spirit) Similarly, no one knows what pertains to God except the Spirit of God.
“We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the things freely given us by God. And we speak about them not with words taught by human wisdom, but with words taught by the (Holy) Spirit, describing spiritual realities in spiritual terms. Now the natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness and he cannot understand it because it is judged spiritually. The spiritual person however, can judge everything but is not subject to judgment by anyone. For ‘who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to counsel him?’ But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2: 6-16).
Finally, from that same Vatican Document.
6. This is why the Church recommends the reading of the word of God as a source of Christian prayer, and at the same time exhorts all to discover the deep meaning of sacred Scripture through prayer “so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For, ‘we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles.
Well, call me old fashioned if you wish, but I’ll stick to the old “Way.” It might not seem so “Hot ‘N’ Spicy” but at least it is the “Original”. His food is eternal and it is free! I will never be hungry (or thirsty) again, Praise God.
UPDATE June 30, 2004: Why New Age Is a Challenge for Christianity
Father Alessandro Olivieri Pennesi Responds
(Note: this is a direct translation as printed from Zenit) – Bold mine.
VATICAN CITY, JUNE 30, 2004 (Zenit.org).- The spread of New Age and its use and abuse of Christian elements make of the movement a challenge for the baptized, says a specialist at the Lateran University. – the Lateran, gave that warning in an interview with ZENIT.
From June 14-16, emphasized the need to know this phenomenon better in order to provide more appropriate Christian answers. …(It is not acceptable) Especially because it incorporates elements of Christianity, altering its original meaning. For example, Jesus Christ is no longer recognized as Son of God and only savior of the world (but as) a thousand facets: cosmic energy, extra-cosmic energy, a Mind, the All, we ourselves are God, etc. which become “self-oriented salvation” through methods, meditations, different practices, including magic.
The eschatological expectation is devoid of meaning, insofar as salvation is attainable after some or many reincarnations, an awareness of truth, which vitiates every attempt to use the paradigms of reason. … widespread phenomena in the Catholic world? …of the postmodern culture, based on weak reasoning, ethical relativism and consumerism.”I cannot but agree with this statement. in a subtle and almost imperceptible manner, says the Secretariat for Ecumenism and Dialogue of the Italian bishops, and it is presented by highlighting its features of universal love and defense of nature. …agree: harmony between man and nature, awareness and commitment to improve the world, mobilization of all the forces for good for a new unitary plan of life. In fact, according to this line of thought, man can make himself capable, through specific techniques, of experiencing the divine without the aid of divine grace, effecting by his own strength his salvation, on which universal harmony depends.
Letter to the bishops of the Catholic Church on certain aspects of Christian meditation, is a reference text on the attention that must be given to updating the ancient Gnosis, in which salvation takes place through the conscience, [and is] esoteric, for the few. thing — practices, there are at the basic level, numerous examples. enneagram: a symbol originally of an initiation character developed in an esoteric context, syncretist, which has subsequently been transformed to a system of classification of the personality of nine psychological types, which serves for the search for self-fulfillment by an esoteric or magical way. spiritual direction and guidance, so the U.S. bishops have created an appropriate commission to discern this phenomenon. main differences that characterize Christian doctrine.
New Age thought: Everything is one; everything is God; humanity is God; we must transform our conscience; all religions are one; optimism in regard to cosmic evolution. the interior — “the god within us.” Truth as objective reality does not exist, says one of the best-known spokespersons of New Age: actress Shirley MacLaine. and is not separated from the latter. They adopt the belief in monism from the Eastern religions — that “everything is One” — only one essence of the universe, everyone and everything forms part of this essence. “Christ-like awareness” states that Jesus was not the only Christ, but that he was predisposed to receive the “awareness of Christ,” as were Buddha, Krishna and Mohammed. This is a well-known teaching of Gnostic occultism which has its roots in the Babylonian mystery religions.
“A Course in Miracles” states, that man’s principal problem is his ignorance of his divinity. Every perceptible fault that man thinks he has is more an absence of knowledge; with this is eliminated the need for salvation and for a savior. what he feels is good. clearly absent from New Age literature. In regard to history and Lucifer’s task, Benjamin Creme, a known speaker of the movement, states that “Lucifer came from the planet Venus 18.5 million years ago. He is the director of the evolution of our planet, he is the sacrificial lamb and the prodigal son. Lucifer made an incredible sacrifice, a supreme sacrifice for our planet.” in order to attain a perfection through innumerable cycles of death and rebirth.
Together with this is the practice of so-called channeling through which disincarnated entities will direct humanity’s spiritual evolution. Bearer of Living Water. A Christian Reflection on the New Age” — one reads: “New Age has a marked preference for the Eastern and pre-Christian religions, which are reckoned to be uncontaminated by Judeo-Christian distortions. Hence great respect is given to ancient agricultural rites and to fertility cults. Somewhat later “Gaia,” Mother Earth, is criticized. a modern form of neo-pagan pantheism. – hypothesis,” in homage to Greek mythology, is the result of the move from a correct safeguarding of the environment to forms of protection which I believe remind one of the sacred cows of the Hindus. …first Earth Day in 1970, when the planet was recognized as a living being, worthy of adoration.
The incompatibility of this veneration with Christian teachings is obvious and is stressed by those who favor Gaia. …of Time magazine relating to environmental problems, the Bible, and in particular the Book of Genesis — where man is given dominion over the earth and its inhabitants — is mentioned as one of the reasons for the mistreatment of nature by man. According to some environmentalists, the spread of Christianity led to a negative development of a technology that would damage the earth. also accompanied by the devaluation of the human being, placed at the same level as the other “species” and even accused of excessive and harmful fecundity. world equate the defense of nature and the defense of human life; [hence they are not] pronouncing themselves against abortion (and at odds) with Catholic doctrine.”What are the reasons for such an explicit condemnation?
What is more, they are antithetical.” the New Age.” It is difficult to separate the individual elements of New Age religiosity -– innocent though they may appear -– from the overarching framework which permeates the whole thought-world on the New Age movement… the point of view of Christian faith, it is not possible to isolate some elements of New Age religiosity as acceptable to Christians, while rejecting others. Since the New Age movement makes much of a communication with nature, of cosmic knowledge of a universal good -– thereby negating the revealed contents of Christian faith -– it cannot be viewed as positive or innocuous.” – ZE04063029