Too Christian? 

Did you know you can now listen to John on Spotify and other audio platforms? Here is his most popular recording 'Common sense guide to meditation' (1m views) - ffm.to/commonsenseguidetomeditation.

Phil & John are my favorite two people on RU-vid and Im very thankful for them both. Thankful for the sharing!

Lovley man. Can feel his inner peace just listening to his voice. Sometimes the greatest truth is experienced in the silence.

Reminds me of the old snow shovel guy from home alone

The Spirit will lead you in all truths as you meditate on his Word, and in Him we have the assurance and the blessed hope

I live very close to Bakewell. It is a warm feeling knowing that this gentleman is close by meditating.

This guy is essentially mixing Buddhist principals and rituals with the religion he grew up with, Christianity. Not a bad thing.

I love John's talks and guidance. He clearly has a lot of wisdom. I was a Christian as a teenager but for many years now as an adult have been involved in Buddhism. A great deal of what I have heard John says sounds very very similar to Buddhism. But of course as he says in this video the truth is found in silence beyond concepts and labels. I hope to join you in that church in Bakewell some time John. Love and Peace

Just to see John's face makes me feel relaxed and in peace. For sure you're going to heaven and stand by God's side. You have a lot of light and wisdom.

Too Christian ? No. What John speaks of is a Universal truth spoken through his own experiences.

What inner peace John brings us to again and again. Thanks

I really want to thank you for this. In some ways, John addresses the whole subject of non-duality, perfectly. The more words that we use, the more concepts we get tangled up in. Could it be that there is only stillness and that it is all we need? I would love to sit on the church steps with John and share a cup of tea from a thermos flask. We could share the deep peace that comes from stillness. It matters not how many concepts you believe in. They all fade and die eventually leaving only stillness and truth. In some ways John reminds me of Paul Heddeman the American non-duality teacher, who tried every spiritual practice known to mankind, only to realise that pure joy can be found in a good latte coffee.

"you're too christian." What fools. The same people would never say "too Buddhist" or "too Hindu."

Thank you Saint John from Bakewell. In my book you are. May God continue to bless you, your words and your actions, and may the peace of Christ be with us all.

One cannot be “too Christian” or “not Christian enough.” A person is either Christian or not, it isn’t a scale. Sure, a person’s ideas and actions can reflect the teachings of Jesus more than others, but this does not make them “more Christian.”

Darling John, you said "I Come back like elastic to stillness". You two are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing another of your interesting and light shedding chats. We come back to stillness because we are stillness > when we are not in stillness we are distressed animals, straining and chomping at the bit. The bell donging was very funny. :)

Refreshing discussion - how we often put terms of measure to someone sharing with “too” this or “not enough” that…like we’re tasting soup. I laughed in agreement at John’s “presence with a capital P” statement. Well done. Also appreciate “the whole human problem is that we are absent from Presence”…this “rings” true.

If u don’t like him talking about Christianity, move on. No one is making u watch this video

I just found your channel and for some reason you remind me of what Saint Simeon might have been like. Prayers from a future Catholic hermit

I love these videos, i just hope the quality could get better. Sound quality that is. Great nonetheless

...in stillness (really loud power tools echoing through the church) - he has no issue with it.

Jesus! Where's the gain control?

Like Rev. Thomas Treherne Mr Butler has maybe worked out that contemplation is the better part of life. People tend to couch this experience and all the richness that flows from it in whatever language they are most familiar with. I would say that there definitely is such a thing as a Christian meditator (with the essential caveat that meditators go beyond words and concepts). I wonder, would anyone say that Ramana was "too Hindu"? Or Rumi "too Islamic" the insight is what matters.

Hi how does John deal with being vulnerable in his life, I imagine through out Johns life; when in town or social situations at times he may have struggled with this aspect of evolution -eg being alone alot this is just my perspective. Perhaps he really hit the nail on the head and followed his heart and silence

"In... Stillness" bbbbbBBBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Psalm 37:11 says, Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy Presence is fulness of Joy ; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Does anyone listen to what he actually says? As opposed to just commenting on his soothing voice?

This man has such a fund of insight and experience. Nuanced and truly a pleasure to listen to.

"Too Christian" is that video of the woman claiming she is "covered in the blood of jesus" and so she doesnt need a face mask during COVID19.

I think both of you are wonderful

A wonderful video, my favourite so far. I can resonate in my own experience with everything John describes.🙂

Love you John! THANK YOU!

Thank you John for that simplicity! It is also my experience of being silent and presence.

I am here now; spending time with John Butler.

These videos are fun

John's spiritual guidance is heartwarming, to say the least. He should not be a priest, though....He should be Archbishop Of Canterbury!!!

Eckhart tole had to turn himself into a celebrity. He wanted the fanfare. The adoration. Why don't realised individuals just walk around helping people, or just be happy knowing stillness? Instead, many gurus look for a microphone and camera. John is the closest thing to realization-in-action that i have seen in modern times.

What is Mr. Butlers role within the church?

Love the Videos , please the church ambience microphone approach doesn’t work Close mic ⭐️ 🙏. God Bless

John is steeped in Perennial truth. Actually christianity is his birth "religion". Why would he not refer to the familiar most often.

When you try and label things you will struggle finding peace because a name can hold a feeling. If you speak of someone one person may tell you the good and another will say the bad. Just seek goodness and call it what you want but,..live praising and praying to all that is good and open doors you never knew existed.

17:45 - Forgot to ring the bell! Thank you so much for bringing my question to John. I have dreamt about sitting down with him at that beautiful church and having a conversation, and this is as close as I'll ever get. I laughed out loud when you revealed the bell. I still wonder though - I can't help but wonder... If we found God's body at the bottom of the pacific ocean, and towed it to shore; if we learned that there was a God, but God was now dead, perhaps for thousands of years, would it break John? It's an absurd thought experiment, but it would mean there was, but no longer is, everlasting life. No longer anything beyond this existence. "God wrote two books, one is the bible, the other is nature." John is still invoking God. From my perspective, this a cosmic accident. John is holding his ground, and it's still holy ground. The Christian God, or any other God, is still a belief in a higher power, a higher purpose, a belief that there is life beyond life. These are things that I cannot believe in. I was raised baptist, so I received the same lessons, but it just doesn't add up anymore, and it hasn't for a long time. I am, unfortunately, trapped in the city. There is no quiet, there is no escaping man's machinations. I can't get out, it's just not financially feasible (nor is owning a car, so I can't even drive to open spaces). I have always believed that language is the most destructive of man's inventions. We can split he atom, but nothing can come close to the damage language has done. We can no longer interface with nature, or each other, directly as creatures. We must depend on the middle-man of language, and the never ending struggle with our internal monologues that won't shut up. I suppose shutting that voice down is what brings peace and stillness... It's ironic that the only way for John to communicate his message is through language, not only in these videos, but him being an author himself! We can't escape it! You are both so gentle and calm. I hope you continue recording these interviews. Even if I can never grasp peace for myself, at least I can sample a little bit of it from these videos. Thank you.

This point of view almost hurts John. We may find ourselves apologizing for our faith frequently, and questioning our role with God - even our ability to name His creations. I've struggled with the problem and worked on it for years trying to build something that will support creation in a lasting way. Wrong use of names and labels have cost us so much!

The words "aqua," "l'eau," "H2O," and "water" are very different, but they all refer to the same thing. How ignorant to suppose they all refer to different realities. No mystic should be criticized for speaking in the vocabulary of his or her own culture. We don't criticize Rumi and Hafez for speaking in Koranic terms, they were devout Muslims. We don't criticize the Yogis and Vedantists for speaking in terms of their Vedic heritage. We didn't criticize Thich Nath Hanh for speaking in Buddhist terms. How childish to ring a bell of judgment whenever a Christian mystic speaks in Christian symbols.

I want to know what he thinks about the concept of Hell and his interpretation. If its eternal, if its something here now, state of being, literal place etc. I hope he makes one on that

Just let the guy explain it in his own way forgetting others comments without 'gonging' him out lol good talk ☮️🙏 Namaste

I love listening to John. That will not stop but Jesus isn’t a label of men . He was a real. History tells us so. Jesus was either God in tbe form of a man or a Liar. I placed my faith in him as a child and in my teen years I strayed away but never doubted in him. He revealed himself to me through a series of miracles that can’t and will never be able to be discredited. Jesus said I am the Way , the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father accept by me. Now that is not religion that is either a fact or a Lie. I myself believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus in the true Son of God and that he didn’t mention any other possible way to enter Heaven. Not by your religion or your inner self awareness but by a decision we all have to make.

Such peaceful conversation and community.

I like Jhon

I wish i could meet and talk to this man.

PLEASE get the sound quality back to where it was in the early videos

What’s wrong with quoting Bible? It’s men’s concepts of “Christianity “-a label 😂

The road is narrow! You can’t love Jesus and the what the world offers at the same time. Meditation is a great thing when placed in Gods hand. If your having turmoil just meditate on your whole body laying in a great big loving hand. Like a great big loving Godzilla hand. Lay your whole being in His loving hand. As you know... He’s got the whole world in His hand!

I am not a religious and i can still pick wisdom out of what John says. Any point of view no matter how different from your own is always welcome to expand your understanding of those around you

Lots of pathos...I'm not hearing much logos.

Thank you, John, and Phil! I have a question: John says that stillness comes natural to him. Stillness and space. I am trying to understand stillness. Can one argue that passing (such as passing of time), as in contrast to stillness, is more natural? Does stillness refer to the moment? As in the moment of time which is formless and changeless.

This wizard knows the secrets of the universe

Thank you John I love your videos. Please keep making them.

Reminds me of Tolstoy, thank you for your experiencies and wisdom. Greetings from Argentina

What a wonderful man.

Buddha same story: a prince, son of the king, enjoying living with his father in a royal palace and paradise garden, decides to leave it behind to go suffer with the humans to free them from suffering the nightmare illusion of being but a human. Sitting with his back stuck towards the trunk of a tree as if it were a cross giving him poisonous fruits only, a tree of judgement in duality, before turning it into a tree of life, thus coming to himself as the enlightened one, to help others come to the same he enjoys, entirely to their benefit.

I haven't heard nothing 'non Christian' or 'too' Christian out of the mouth of this man. He does not claim any authority or denomination .Sooo if certain people just light up for once.....Goddammit.

I think the topic of limiting bible verses and being a true Christian references is trying to get a wider audience for this channel. Prayer and meditation both ways to connect with God. Being a devoted Christian that studies the Bible is what is missing in this world.

I love that he said i will speak about my own experience! If everyone did it would be a better place

He has such a lovely, cute face.

Meditation is not necessarily separate from Christianity, in my opinion. The early Christians had a Gnostic tradition which has still influenced the churches to this day. These people believed in finding the spiritual Christ, who was a messenger of knowledge that freed the trapped soul from the prison of matter. Christianity has certainly evolved to understand itself in many other ways, such as for example through finding meaning through christian suffering, but my point is that the notion of 'peace' is not devoid from Christianity.

This man is a true conduit to the God of us all. It goes far beyond all religions. I find this question rather insulting.

Yes I am very fond of the stillness (the spirit or the Ruah ha quodesh ) witch is the spirit of the father or YHWH. I have no problem putting a name in it if you don't believe that read exodus 3:15 and the only way to him is through Yashua JESUS PEROID Jesus said if you deny me before man I will deny u before my father.

"Surely the answer must be yes" all I need to know. I'm out.

Guys, turn the mic’s gain down. Please!?

Everything you've said here I have said to someone else and it's amazing. I be too felt rejected by the church and tried an outreach but told I was not what they wanted in their church because the way I dress. Since then I have realized I need to seek god..seek goodness and be still in awareness of the blessings and messages of the spirit. I have felt alone in what I feel to be true but watching your videos it's like meeting someone who is like minded. Truly a blessing.

Thank u for all the amazing jhon butler videos they keep me coming back for more both of u r amazing people

Seems to me that he is "Christian enough". He believes in Jesus Christ, and God.... He chooses to share how he worships with the public and people enjoy it. Isnt that enough?

I could not find an email address for you so may I raise a thought? Many of us never had the "Scripture Lessons" you mention, especially 10 years of them. The main reason I wanted to contact you (forgive the comment below) was to ask 'do you remember what pattern these lessons followed ? Do you see a need for them today and if so how could the youth of the nation be reintroduced to them ?

Now surly we must ask, was Jesus a practitioner of meditation? If the answer is 'YES' why to dose the church not promote it? If John was publicly talking 2000 years ago what would be written of him? No need of any belief when experience is present. It reminds me of the phrase, 'be careful what you wish for'..

Peace that passes all understanding i foundit once just quietly looking at the trees that silence was one with the universal glue that holds everything wish I could have stayed in it but I knew I could not It took away many of my fears and hang ups this brief glimpse I’ll never stop looking for it I know it’s out there which is comforting

Who came up with Christianity? Christian God? Come on... You are so confused. Learn about what God wants from you.

Too many people focus on the root of the word spoken. What god is it they say? Instead of listening to the message. The message is what's important and how it can help you. Find the good in things in your everyday experiences.

Labels are just mind/thoughts . . . limiting at that. The mind will go on and on, and that's what keeps us imprisoned in mind. Turning away from this, is pointing in the direction of freedom. John has found it through meditation/stillness. It's not everyone's path, but I see no point in being on here making comments that are negating this lovely, simple and loving man's true experience that so many of us are finding deep truths. What John speaks is very similar to my experience and yet if I sat with someon with a differing view, I could be okay with that. Labels, words, thoughts don't hold water (truth) in the bigger picture. Thank you John and Phil ~

Does John have a short reading list of the 5 or 10 spiritual masters who have been especially valuable for him? Thanks.

Are these two in the same building at the same time? The sound & editing seems a bit off!

Mr. Butler is a very fascinating man.

It surprised me a little that the word sacred never came up, it seems so lost from the western point of view, but although i dont pretend to understand it fully i sense its a crucial part of johns reasoning

thumbs down with that gong.

Who the heck could be voting these DOWN? Makes my head spin....

Thanks for this

Insufficiently Cristian to become a minister? Okay. Well, with how many million views and counting, just who is the Vicar of Bakewell Parish to the world? Dare I submit to the powers that be, it's in a very practical sense, John Butler. To make whole, be whole...and all resistance simply melts away; to quote a phrase.

Love his voice puts me to sleep but it's a shame he's spouting religious nonsense

As a Christian I was treated with great suspicion due to my interest in meditation. Other Christians thought it was in Christian and would open the door to demonic forces. I wonder if John has encountered the same hostility.

I would love to walk and talk with you ..peace..

14:00 17:38

I'm proud to be the same species as you, John.

Is this guy the wizard from Fantasia or the sword in the Stone?

Anyone who feels that they resonate with Mr Butler should check out Richard Rohr. He is Christian, but just about. He's quite universal and open minded. He moves Christianiny toward being more universal.

Eckhart Tolle says much of the same thing. Good stuff. Meditation has been a great tool to get beyond duality.

SAINT John indeed.. Thank you

It seems to me John is many things, a lover of meditation, a mystic, a man who often gets lost in his own thoughts. I think we need a bit of integrity and admit what we are and are not. Whatever else John is, He is not a Christian. Not in the simple, broad, and classic understanding that a Christian is one who confesses those truths outlined in the Apostles Creed. John may sit in a church, he may use biblical terminology, but his ideas stray far from those taught in the bible.

The sad thing is that the very belief system that Christians have is the very thing that prevents them ever experiencing a 'second coming', as they describe. Once we understand that Christ is a spiritual state of limitless consciousness that is ever present, it is presence, only then will we understand those that have tried to market the principle of life, as though God could be contained in a biblical can. How would anyone know Jesus or God anyway, what is that experience, stillness. It is all so simple. The ripples will radiate from the stillness as ripples do.. We are infinite beings of light playing with contrast and compromise. Blessings.

Love and do as thou will*bell dings*Wonderful as always, Mr Butler.

St Teresa of Avila talks about ''stillness''