Post by STORMDANCER on Jun 6, 2011 21:00:45 GMT
It is possible to define meditation in many ways, each being valid.
It is only natural to seek to understand something through a definition of terms but in this case specific definition may serve to restrict rather than illuminate. Words can serve to obscure meaning rather than reveal it.
Chuang-tzu, a Taoist sage of the fourth century said 'Words exist for meaning, but once you understand the meaning you can throw away the words'. You may each come to your own definition and conclusions as experience becomes your teacher.
It is impossible to convey the reality of meditation through words alone. Meditation can only be known through experience. It can only be comprehended when it is lived. It cannot be understood intellectually any more than an understanding of love can be felt from reading romantic fiction, or a subtle taste explained to someone who has never experienced it.
Armchair reading never made an athlete, or an artist, a driver or a bricklayer. Learning about meditation is no more than a preparation for experience. It is not a substitute. To know meditation is to live meditation. It can be helpful, however, to liken meditation to various concepts that already hold meaning for us. In this way we can open ourselves to new experiences.
We can see meditation as a state of consciousness or way of life. We might see meditation as the path to enlightenment and a spiritual discipline. We might see meditation as a psychological process and a means of becoming more aware. There is no reason why meditation should not include all these concepts and more besides.
Such ideas can be helpful when they serve to expand our thinking, not limit it. It is more valuable however if we use intellectual structures only as signposts and permit the inner journey itself to inform us of its nature.
storm xxx
It is only natural to seek to understand something through a definition of terms but in this case specific definition may serve to restrict rather than illuminate. Words can serve to obscure meaning rather than reveal it.
Chuang-tzu, a Taoist sage of the fourth century said 'Words exist for meaning, but once you understand the meaning you can throw away the words'. You may each come to your own definition and conclusions as experience becomes your teacher.
It is impossible to convey the reality of meditation through words alone. Meditation can only be known through experience. It can only be comprehended when it is lived. It cannot be understood intellectually any more than an understanding of love can be felt from reading romantic fiction, or a subtle taste explained to someone who has never experienced it.
Armchair reading never made an athlete, or an artist, a driver or a bricklayer. Learning about meditation is no more than a preparation for experience. It is not a substitute. To know meditation is to live meditation. It can be helpful, however, to liken meditation to various concepts that already hold meaning for us. In this way we can open ourselves to new experiences.
We can see meditation as a state of consciousness or way of life. We might see meditation as the path to enlightenment and a spiritual discipline. We might see meditation as a psychological process and a means of becoming more aware. There is no reason why meditation should not include all these concepts and more besides.
Such ideas can be helpful when they serve to expand our thinking, not limit it. It is more valuable however if we use intellectual structures only as signposts and permit the inner journey itself to inform us of its nature.
storm xxx
