What is the difference between secular, New Age, and Orthodox Christian meditation?

Each method claims it will provide us with peace, clarity, and presence, but can each one fully deliver?

New Age meditation tell us to empty our minds to find peace. But Scripture doesn't say that. In fact, the Bible and the Orthodox Tradition teach us to KEEP GUARD OF OUR MINDS so that evil things don't enter and FILL OUR MINDS with Christ so worse things don't return.

In this episode we discuss:

• If secular meditation is good for us

• The Hindu and Buddhist origins of many modern meditation practices

• Why practices like emptying the mind, visualization, “white light,” spirit guides, and third eye meditation can be spiritually dangerous

• What the Orthodox Church teaches about spiritual delusion (prelest)

• Why an “empty mind” is not spiritually neutral

• The Orthodox Christian practice of nepsis — watchfulness over thoughts

• How to meditate on Scripture in a truly Christian way

• Lectio divina and prayerful reading of the Bible

• The Jesus Prayer and Hesychasm

• Theosis vs. self-dissolution: the true goal of Orthodox Christian meditation

If you have been searching for peace, stillness, or a deeper spiritual life, I pray this episode helps you understand the difference between New Age meditation and Orthodox Christian meditation.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

WATCH NEXT:

• Episode 8: Yoga and Orthodox Christianity

• Episode 7: Chakras and Orthodox Christianity

• Next Episode: Third Eye Awakening and the Orthodox Christian Perspective

If this video helped you, please like, subscribe, and share so more people searching for Orthodox Christian meditation can find the truth of Christ.

#OrthodoxChristianMeditation #ChristianMeditation #OrthodoxChristianity #NewAge #OccultToOrthodoxy #JesusPrayer #Hesychasm #Meditation #Christianity #Orthodox

✅ Subscribe for Part 10 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:16 Intro

1:16-2:09 Secular meditation

2:09-4:18 The Roots of New Age Meditation

4:18-5:42 Dangers of an Empty Mind (REEL)

5:42-10:46 Orthodox Meditation

10:46-12:11 Final Comparisons

Can Orthodox Christians do yoga? While yoga is often the spiritual gateway into the new age and Hinduism, most Christian content about it is either surface-level or sensational.

In Episode 8 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series, we examine yoga from what it actually is at its root, to what the poses depict, to how it was deliberately repackaged for the Western world, to spiritually neutral alternatives, to what the Orthodox Church teaches about the ascetic life in contrast.

Resources mentioned:

👉 Hidden Fire: Orthodox Perspectives on Yoga by Joseph Magnus Frangipani

https://anothercity.org/hidden-fire-orthodox-perspectives-on-yoga/

👉 You Are Mine by Sister Anastasia

👉 Orthodoxy and the Religion of the Future by Fr. Seraphim Rose

All my favorite books linked in my Amazon Storefront 👉https://www.amazon.com/shop/michaelanikolaenko/list/B24Q2F9DDE8Z?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d

#orthodoxchristian #yoga #newagetojesus

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 9 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:43 Intro

1:43-5:29 My background with yoga

5:29-7:29 What is yoga

7:29-11:18 Why yoga is spiritually dangerous

11:18-15:04 How yoga got to the West

15:04-15:29 Orthodox Icons Corona Ad

15:29-19:39 Is it all about intention?

19:39-21:51 Is “Christian yoga” okay?

21:51-24:25 Alternatives to physical yoga

24:25-25:56 The Orthodox ascetic alternate

25:56-27:16 What to do next!

Is chakra healing dangerous? What does the Orthodox Church teach about Reiki, kundalini yoga, sound healing, and breathwork ceremonies—and why do these practices feel so real?

In this episode of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series, we go deep on the chakra system, the spiritual framework that underlies almost every energy healing practice in the New Age world, and an Orthodox Christian understanding of the human body and soul in contrast.

In this episode:

🫡 What the chakra system actually is, where it comes from, and what it claims about human nature, the divine, and the path to salvation

🫡 Reiki, kundalini yoga, sound healing, breathwork, acupuncture — what each practice does and why it's spiritually significant

🫡 Why these experiences feel so real, and what the Church Fathers warn about them

🫡 Trauma, the body, and what Orthodoxy genuinely offers for healing — including Confession, Holy Unction, and the Eucharist

This is Part 7 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series. If you found this helpful, please share it with someone else who may need to hear it.

#orthodoxchristian #newage #chakras #reiki #kundalini #energyhealing #spiritualdiscernment #occulttoorthodoxy #raisedandredeemed

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 8 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you find this helpful!----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:48 Intro

1:48-4:17 What is the Chakra System

4:17-5:50 Orthodox view of body and soul in contrast

5:50-7:28 Reiki

7:28-9:47 Kundalini Yoga

9:47-10:54 Breath work

10:54-11:54 Sound Healing

11:54-12:21 Acupuncture

12:21-14:00 Demonic Imitation vs Grace

14:00-17:29 Healing in Orthodoxy

17:29-18:08 My experience

18:08-19:04 Conclusion

19:04-19:32 What’s Next

Millions of people believe repeating numbers like 111, 222, 444, 777, and 11:11 are messages from angels or the universe.

But is this actually how God communicates?

In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, we break down the truth about numerology and angel numbers from the perspective of Orthodox Christianity, Scripture, and the teachings of the Church Fathers.

If you’re leaving the New Age, questioning practices like manifestation, tarot, astrology, or angel numbers, this episode will help you understand:

• What numerology really is

• Where angel numbers actually come from

• Why repeating numbers feel so meaningful

• What the Bible says about divination and omens

• Whether God ever speaks through numbers

• How Orthodox Christians discern God's guidance

If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning of 11:11, 111, 222, or 444, this episode will help you see why the Christian faith does not rely on numerology — and where true spiritual guidance is found.

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 7 of the Occult to Orthodoxy Series

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you find this helpful!

#angelnumbers #newagetochristian #orthodoxchristian

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:16 Intro

1:16-2:53 Numerology explained

2:53-3:31 Angel numbers explained

3:31-4:28 Numbers in the Bible

4:28-5:12 The danger of angel numbers

5:12-6:06 How God guides His people

6:06-6:51 What's Next

Tarot cards, oracle cards, and even “angel cards” are often presented as harmless tools for guidance, self-reflection, or connecting with the spiritual realm. But what does Orthodox Christianity actually teach about them?

In this episode of Raised & Redeemed, Michaela Nikolaenko shares her personal experience using tarot and oracle cards during her years in the New Age—and explains why the Orthodox Church warns that these practices open the door to spiritual deception.

Drawing from Scripture, Orthodox Tradition, and the teachings of the Holy Fathers, this episode explores why divination is forbidden, how spirits can manipulate these practices, and why seeking hidden knowledge outside of God leads us away from true spiritual life.

If you’ve ever used tarot, oracle cards, or angel cards—or know someone who does—this conversation will help you understand the Orthodox Christian perspective on divination, spiritual warfare, and repentance.

Most importantly, there is hope: through repentance, prayer, and the sacramental life of the Church, Christ restores what the occult tries to counterfeit.

If you’re exploring the difference between New Age spirituality and Orthodox Christianity, this series is for you.

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 6

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you find this helpful!

#tarotcards #divination #orthodoxchristian

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-00:59 Intro

00:59-2:26 What are tarot cards?

2:26-3:17 Why do people use tarot cards?

3:17-5:25 Why God forbids divination

5:25-6:34 Tarot leads the soul away from salvation

6:34-7:47 What to do if you’ve used tarot cards?

7:47-8:33 Orthodox Christian way to connect with God and the spirit realm

8:33-9:15 What’s next!

What does the life of a priest's wife actually look like? What made Destinie want to become an Orthodox Christian?

In this special episode, I sit down with Khouria Destinie Winn, wife of Fr. David Winn, mother of four, and creator of Ascetic Life of Motherhood, to talk about her journey of becoming Orthodox, homeschooling, marriage, biblical femininity, veiling, Lent, and what it truly means to be a woman in the Orthodox Church.

We discuss:

• What it’s really like being a Khouria

• How to structure a homeschooling day as an Orthodox family

• The homeschool curriculums Khouria recommends

• Whether the Church suppresses or honors women

• Cultural feminism vs. Godly femininity

• Veiling—tradition or timeless?

• How Orthodox families prepare for Lent (beyond just food fasting)

This conversation is deeply practical, honest, and rooted in the life of the Church.

📚 Homeschool Curriculums Mentioned

• Charlotte Mason philosophy

• The Good and the Beautiful

• Beautiful Feet Books

• Treehouse Schoolhouse

• Orthodox liturgical living resources from Ascetic Life of Motherhood

🌿 Connect with Khouria Destinie

Read her blog and access Orthodox motherhood resources at Ascetic Life of Motherhood (https://www.asceticlifeofmotherhood.com).

She also shares regularly on the Patristic Nectar Publications Family Channel  @PatristicNectarFamily 

If you’re a mother, homeschooler, catechumen, or simply wondering what your place is as a woman in the Orthodox Church, this episode is for you.

🕊️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and share with another Orthodox mama.

#priestswife #orthodoxchristian #homeschool

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-2:56 Intro of Khouria

2:56-26:57 How she became Orthodox

26:57-27:22 Thank you members ad

27:22-31:26 Did she want to be a priests wife?

31:26-37:30 What is expected of a priest’s wife?

37:30-41:36 How to handle marital conflict

41:36-42:18 YAC Retreat ad

42:18-52:21 Day-in-the life of a homeschool mom

52:21-1:04:20 Homeschool curriculum

1:04:20-1:09:20 Time management as a content creator homeschool mom

1:09:20-1:09:45 Orthodox Icons Corona ad

1:09:45-1:11:24 Ascetic Life of Motherhood resources

1:11:24-1:19:24 Godly femininity

1:19:24-1:24:44 Preparing for Great Lent

1:24:44-1:26:17 What’s next on the channel

In this part 4 of the Occult to Orthodoxy series, I break down crystals, evil eye charms, dream catchers, and sage, all items used in the occult for spiritual protection, from an Orthodox Christian perspective.

We answer questions like:

• Do crystals actually have power?

• Should Orthodox Christians own evil eye charms?

• Why does burning sage sometimes “feel” like it works?

• Are these things demonic — or just superstition?

• What’s the difference between occult items, and items blessed by the Church?

• What do Orthodox Christians do for spiritual protection?

If you’ve ever owned crystals, worn protective jewelry, burned sage, or wondered whether these things conflict with Christianity, this episode is for you.

#OrthodoxChristianity #Crystals #EvilEye #NewAgeToChrist #SpiritualWarfare #RaisedAndRedeemed #SageSmudging #DreamCatchers

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 5

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you find this helpful!

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:16 Intro

1:16-1:51 There is no neutral spiritual power

1:51-3:42 Crystals & Healing stones

3:42-4:26 Evil eye charms & protective jewelry

4:26-6:22 Dream catchers vs prayers before sleep

6:22-7:57 Sage vs Orthodox incense

7:57-9:21 The true danger of idols

9:21-10:35 Why these things sometimes work

10:35-12:21 How we can stay spiritually safe

12:21-13:35 Blessed objects vs occult objects

13:35-14:12 Orthodox approach to spiritual protection and cleansing

14:12-14:55 What’s next in the series

In Part 3 of this series on New Age vs Orthodox Christianity, we're breaking down the spiritual worldview behind manifestation, law of attraction, and even the prosperity gospel, vs true Christian prayer.

We'll be working through:

• What manifestation actually teaches at its core

• How the Law of Attraction and “co-creating with the universe” mirror ancient occult practices

• The subtle difference between healthy goal-setting and spiritual invocation

• Why manifestation can sometimes “work”

• How prosperity gospel teaching can mirror manifestation theology

• What Scripture and the Church Fathers say about authority, sovereignty, and prayer

• The true Orthodox alternative: surrender, repentance, and trust in God’s will

If you’re deconstructing New Age spirituality, questioning prosperity gospel teachings, or trying to understand how Orthodoxy approaches prayer, this episode is for you.

#Manifestation #LawOfAttraction #OrthodoxChristianity #NewAgeToChristian #ProsperityGospel #ChristianPrayer

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 4

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:00 Intro

1:00-2:29 What is manifestation?

2:29-3:21 Mental clarity vs spiritual invocation

3:21-3:46 Orthodox Icons Corona Ad

3:46-4:38 The spectrum of manifestation

4:38-5:38 Why manifestation works

5:38-7:51 An Orthodox Christian alternative to manifestation

7:51-8:25 What’s next: crystals, evil eyes, dream catchers & sage

In part 2 of this series, I break down what the New Age gets wrong about God, and who God actually is according to Orthodox Christianity.

We will look closer at these questions:

Q. Is God the Universe?

Q. Is God just an energy or higher frequency?

Q. Are we divine?

Q. Do all paths really lead to the same destination?

After years immersed in the New Age and occult, I eventually realized that what I thought was “God” was not the God revealed in Scripture.

In this video, we explore how subtle worldview shifts—like believing God is an impersonal force—can open the door to deception, confusion, and spiritual danger.

We’ll contrast common New Age beliefs with what Scripture and the Orthodox Church teach about the nature of God, the Trinity, theosis, spiritual discernment, and why getting God right truly matters for our souls.

If you’re spiritually curious, deconstructing, New Age-adjacent, or simply wondering what Christians actually believe about God, this episode is for you.

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 3

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my membership for specific inquiries and response videos

#NewAge #OrthodoxChristianity #OccultTestimony #ExNewAge #ChristianApologetics #Godisnottheuniverse

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

0:00-1:10 intro

1:10-2:13 How do New Agers see God?

2:13-3:40 How Scripture reveals God

3:40-4:27 God is the creator, not the creation

4:27-5:18 Self deification vs theosis

5:18-5:51 All roads don’t lead to God

5:51-6:38 Why we shouldn’t trust all Spiritual experiences

6:38-7:42 My personal experience

7:42-8:04 Why getting God right matters

8:04-8:45 What’s next in the series

In this first episode of a brand-new series, I share how I fell into the occult through New Age spirituality—and how Christ ultimately pulled me out of it.

What began as “self-healing,” manifestation, yoga, feminism, and spiritual empowerment slowly became bondage. I believed I was awakening, aligning, and reclaiming my power… but the deeper I went into the occult and New Age world, the darker and more broken my life became.

This video is a SNAPSHOT of my testimony—from the occult to Christ.

✨ What this series will cover:

- Manifestation vs prayer

- “The universe” vs a personal God

- Divine feminine spirituality vs the Theotokos

- Trauma healing vs repentance and asceticism

- Energy vs grace

- Self-deification vs theosis

- And so much more (comment a topic you want me to cover if you have one!)

📌 If this resonates, please:

✅ Subscribe for Part 2

✅ Share this with someone who’s spiritually searching

✅ Leave a comment with topics you want me to address

✅ Join my YouTube membership for specific inquiries and response videos

----------------------------------------------------

🌐 Explore More:

ALL LINKS → https://beacons.ai/michaelanikolaenko

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/michaelanikolaenko

----------------------------------------------------

⏳ TIMESTAMPS:

00:00-1:15 Intro New Series

1:15-3:24 The kind of people in the occult

3:24-12:47 My spiritual gateways into the occult

12:47-13:47 Coming to Christ

13:47-15:24 Series Outline

15:24-16:03 What's Next