What are Kything Co-inherence Oneness and Communion? How are they related? I’m reaching back to my past. And some thoughts about Communion with God.
Lost at Sea in a Christian Bookstore
When I was searching for meaning, I came across several books in a Christian bookstore which shouldn’t have been there. There were books on the sort of meditation which was really of the Zen-Buddhist-occult variety. You might say they appealed to Christian “mystics.”
If one wanted to find real meaning to life or experience-presence of God – these books weren’t the ones to read. What they effectively did drop someone in a boat in the middle of a stormy sea, with no lighthouse as guidance. I became hopelessly lost.
Kything, Co-inherence, Oneness and Communion
One of the books I bought was on the subject of Kything (see definition). It was called Kything: The Art of Spiritual Presence. The authors were professing Christians Louis Savary and Patricia Berne. They were heavily involved areas of psychology, and spiritual and personal development.
Part of the back cover blurb: This book offers a new and special way of consciously living in the loving presence of other persons, of God, and all of creation.
The concept of Kything was somewhat popularized through Madeleine L’Engle’s book A Wind in the Door. According to the book Kything is like a telepathic communication (a communion) which sort of works on the principle of “Oneness.” All creation (animals, humans, the cosmos, God) is connected in some way. There’s also a chapter on Charles William’s concept of “Co-inherence.”
One can Kythe (be Co-inherent or spiritually present) with friends, animals, God, Dead Saints etc. Savary and Berne formulated suggestions on how to engage in Kything. Was it all feel-good, mumbo-jumbo, or something else?
The danger of “spiritual presence”
The problem is that it isn’t all mumbo-jumbo. I can confirm this from my dark New Age years. The guidelines for Kything set out in the book are entry level into the occult, and an open connection to the demonic realm.
Some personal accounts etc
Along with that book I met a martial artist who was steeped into meditation and out-of-body experiences. He was able to somehow connect with people at distances (Kythe?). In one example which is difficult to articulate, he tormented me over a few days to get me to ring him. I knew exactly what was happening.
I did it too. One night I was able to make my presence felt in the house of a friend. I tried the same in another longer experiment. The owner of that house remarked that strange things were suddenly occurring there. Was this connected to what I had been doing? I think so.
As noted in previous posts, eventually I felt the presence of something which terrified me. This fear is different than other fears. It is difficult to articulate to someone who hasn’t experienced it. As I look back I’m convinced my occultic practices were attracting the demonic.
Why talk about Kything when no one today knows what it is? Well, I believe we’re seeing a rise in paganism (Buddhist meditation offered in Christian institutions etc). People are praying and connecting to gods and “Mother Earth” (Gaia). Many are looking for a comforting connection to something bigger than themselves. They’re looking in the wrong places.
As an aside Vern Poythress has talked about household idols – think statues of Buddha etc. Poythress notes that while these are inanimate objects, they also represent and attract demonic entities. I think we underestimate the danger. I often wonder about the Roman Catholic Church’s tradition of keeping statues of saints and angels, and praying to them. Apart from idolatry what might they be really attracting?
Biblical Co-Inherence
Why would any Christian want communion with any other than the Triune God? Christians are adopted into the family of God. We are invited to call God our Father because He is. The three Persons of the One Triune God share an eternal loving relationship. And we are drawn by God into this same awesome relationship.
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:23
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26
I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21
And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22-23
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you… James 4:8
Maranatha!
Addendum:
Madeleine L’Engle’s book “A Wrinkle in Time” was made into an inclusive movie by Disney. Some Christians have rightly criticized it for promoting New Age ideas. If Disney ever makes a movie based on “A Wind in the Door” my post will be even more relevant.
L’Engle was a professing Christian. However she came under much criticism for her unorthodox beliefs. Other professing Christians defended her. Who is right, and why? Marcia Montenegro has addressed these issues in a two-part article. You can judge for yourself:
A Stone for a Pillow: Concerns with Madeleine L’Engle (Part One)
Faulty Views of Christ (Part Two)
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