Mike Parsons
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Buddhism is more a philosophy of life than a religion, really—because essentially, they are not worshipping Buddha. They know Buddha died. It is a teaching philosophy, and actually, it contains a lot of similar teaching to Jesus: love one another, the golden rule, treat people the way you want to be treated.
I was in Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand in March (2025), and I found it very interesting looking at the Buddhist temples, the philosophy, the culture—looking at how they did things and why they did them. I was not approaching it negatively. I did not go over there with an agenda. I was simply interested: what was this really about?
Seeing truth as truth
Now obviously, Jesus is not at the centre of it. But that does not mean there is no truth contained within it. In terms of meditation—how you focus, how you come to a place of rest—using music, using certain sounds or frequencies, those things can be helpful. But we are not applying Buddhist philosophy as Buddhists. We are seeing truth as truth, and applying that truth as it comes from Jesus through Jesus—not through a Buddhist principle or system. That is the difference.
And I know people will say, “Ah, yes, but if the root of it is evil, then you cannot use it.” But who says the root is evil? Why would it not be possible that Jesus, who is the Truth, might deposit truth in all sorts of places—so people could discover it and ultimately discover Him? There is even a story in Hinduism of a god who was crucified and wore a crown of thorns. Where did that come from? Well, I believe Jesus deposited something there—so that when people in that context later heard the story of His crucifixion, they might be drawn toward Him.
What we are doing is engaging with Jesus, the Truth. We are not embracing the whole of any other philosophy. If there is music that helps us focus or rest, we are engaging it with our own intention. Our use of it can cleanse it. We are choosing it for our good.
Eat the meat
This is not unlike the situation Paul addressed regarding meat sacrificed to idols. Some believers were afraid of being polluted by it. But Paul said, “The idols are nothing—they are just stone and wood.” Maybe there was something demonic behind them—but the meat itself? It was just meat. If you ate the meat, you were not worshipping a false god. You were just eating food. And Paul was trying to help them see—there was no power in it unless you gave it power. If you thought it was wrong and went against your conscience, then it became a problem for you. But the thing itself had no power unless you empowered it.
So Paul was saying, in effect: do not be in bondage to these things. If you want to eat the meat, eat it. If you do not, then do not. But either way, it is not going to harm you—unless you give it that power. The same principle applies to things like frequencies, sound bowls, music, intention. There is a lot of excellent Christian material out there too—music that has embedded intention, that carries a frequency of truth and peace and love.
All Mike’s books, including Into the Dark Cloud and Unconditional Love, are available to order from online and local booksellers; or you can buy them as ebooks and download them instantly from our website.
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Positive intention
I do not really listen to music that way myself, but I know Samuel—who is part of our ministry—writes and composes music with positive intention built in. That is what we often use for activations and meditations. And I know those are good, life-giving pieces of music. So if you are in any doubt, use something you know has come from a good source. If you are concerned, that is the safest thing to do.
But I do not necessarily believe you need to be concerned. Someone might say, “But what if the composer of the music intended something negative?” Well, yes, they might have—but that does not mean you will be affected by it, because you carry a higher truth. You can choose to cleanse something. You can choose a different intention. If the embedded goal of that music was negative, you do not have to receive that. But I would say this: if you are not in a place to know how to handle that—do not listen to it. Do not go there. Choose something else that you know is safe. Find some Christian music you trust. Use what you know carries positive intention. Because for those who are mature, these things may not affect you. But if you feel vulnerable, then avoid it—because your belief about it could actually empower it to affect you negatively.
So it comes down to what you believe. That is the key.
Would I buy into the whole of Buddhist philosophy? No. Because I do not believe in reincarnation. I do not believe we come back in another body to have another go. I believe we get one life—and we should make the most of it. And that life continues beyond death. In fact, I do not believe we even have to die—but that is another topic.
So we just need to take a view of everything through Jesus the Truth. That is our plumb line. Does it carry the right frequency? That is how I always check. Does it carry the frequency of love? If it does, then I know that God is love—and that will be aligned with Him. Whatever the source, if it resonates with God, I do not have a problem with it.
Because truth is truth. Love is love. Not eros or emotional love—but real agape, God love. That is the measure we use to discern what is good, and what is not.
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Sons of Issachar 