Meditation: East and West

Publisher Marketing: Herman Adrian Spruit was an uncommon visionary who appeared on the scene at a time when religion in the U. S. was firmly rooted in religious conservatism. Himself a prominent Methodist minister (indeed, he was a representative at the founding of the World Council of Churches), he would leave the comfort of his denominational home to embark on a quest. As it turns out, he became dissatisfied with mainstream Christianity at the same time in history when the country's young people were rebelling against "old time religion" and opening up to alternative spiritualities of all kinds, including Transcendental Meditation, Zen Buddhism, and Hare Krishna Hinduism. Himself feeling drawn by the allure of mysticism, he began by soujourning for a time with Ernest Holms and the Church of Religious Science. Then, he set out on his own to establish a new religious organization and a school for aspiring mystics. He wanted to mine the gold of Christian tradition, encourage sojourners to think for themselves, and seek Truth wherever it could be found. For those interested in mastering the practice, the author shares tips on how to meditate using a variety of techniques, East and West. Going more deeply, however, the seeker may find that he provides the kind of sage advice that can only come from an experienced traveller. Contributor Bio:  Kemp, Alan R Alan Kemp is the Director of Social Services at Pierce College, in Tacoma, Washington.