I've said this before and I'm saying this again, as a corrective to much misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Asian spirituality by 'western' or westernized Christian voices, some of whom I've learnt from and whom I sincerely respect.
Not all "Eastern" religions conceive God as an "impersonal force." Some Asian conceptions of the divine are personal and dualistic (as in dvaita vedanta) or both personal and impersonal (that is, having dual aspects). Other Asian conceptions are clearly non-theistic, speaking of the ultimate not as a being or a force but as an ethical state, experiential truth, or cosmic principle.
And not all "Eastern" meditation is about "emptying the mind." This is an especially pernicious caricature. No. Asian meditation systems are rich and profound, having multiple dimensions and approaches. Mindful observation, single-pointed attention, serene abiding in equipoise, attentional absorption in the subtlest ideas of infinity, emotional transformation, cognitive reframing, insightful analysis, deep silent inquiry, pure witnessing, and effortless egoless resting in pure awareness—these are all facets of "Eastern" meditation.
My appeal to those tempted to caricature Asian spirituality and meditation in these ways is to take time and care to first learn more about what they seek to criticize or judge. Mislabels have a way of perpetuating misconceptions that inadvertently harm spiritual growth for both the critics and the criticized.
Besides, it is only loving and wise, and thus biblical, for us to refrain from making unfair statements about people or phenomena we know little about. I need to constantly remind myself of my own advice too, given that I am perfectly imperfect!
Let us be Christ-like, rather than 'Christian-right.' Let us extend Christ-like hospitality rather than exude a self-righteous dogmatic stance that unfairly evaluates other views of spirituality based on our own poverty of knowledge.
