Question

What is contemplative spirituality and why is it dangerous?

Introduction

Contemplative spirituality has become a trend in churches, Christian publishing, and spiritual formation circles. From prayer labyrinths to centering prayer, from Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline to modern voices promoting silence and solitude as a way of experiencing God, these practices are often marketed as paths to deeper spirituality.

The question is whether these practices are truly biblical, or whether they serve as a subtle doorway to deception.

What Is Contemplative Spirituality?

Contemplative spirituality is a movement that borrows from Roman Catholic monastic practices, mysticism, and even Eastern religions. Common features include:

• Centering prayer, repeating a word or phrase to empty the mind
• Prayer labyrinths, walking symbolic patterns intended to feel closer to God
• Breath prayers and silence, techniques resembling New Age meditation
• Seeking direct experience of God apart from His Word, pursuing encounter through methods rather than Scripture

While these practices claim to enrich a believer’s walk with God, they shift the focus from God’s revealed truth to subjective experiences.

Why It Is Dangerous

• Undermines the sufficiency of Scripture, suggesting the Bible is not enough so mystical practices are needed to know God (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
• Blurs the gospel, moving the focus from Christ’s finished work to personal experience
• Opens the door to false teaching, many methods are rooted in pagan or New Age traditions (Colossians 2:8)
• Replaces prayer with technique, turning prayer into a formula rather than communion with the Father through Christ by the Spirit
• Confuses holiness with experience, Scripture calls believers to holiness by the Spirit not emptying the mind or repeating mantras

A Biblical Response

• True prayer is grounded in God’s Word, Jesus modeled Scripture driven petitions (Matthew 6:9–13)
• Meditation is filling the mind with truth, biblical meditation delights in and reflects on God’s Word (Psalm 1:2)
• Spiritual growth comes by the Spirit, God sanctifies His people through His Word and Spirit (John 17:17; Galatians 5:16–25)
• Christ is enough, believers already have direct access to God through Jesus Christ our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14–16)

Conclusion

Contemplative spirituality may appear attractive under a Christian label, but it borrows from unbiblical sources and undermines the sufficiency of God’s Word. The real danger is that it draws hearts away from Christ and toward self centered experience. Instead, Christians are called to prayer, meditation, and worship that are rooted in Scripture and empowered by the Spirit.

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught.” (Colossians 2:6–7)