Meditation and Devotion

What is meditation

A way of exerting a more direct influence on our mental states. Allows us to work with the mind and increase overall awareness and positivity, and use this strengthened and purified awareness to see into the nature of all things as they really are.

State of increased awareness.

Meditation and health

improved physical health:

• reduction in high blood pressure

• decreased serum cholesterol

• improved general health

• better resistance to disease

• faster recovery from stress

improved mental health

• decreased anxiety

• decreased depression

• decreased need for tranquillisers/sleeping pills

• prevention of psychiatric illness

The Five Hindrances

• sensual desire

• hatred

• restlessness, anxiety

• sloth, torpor

• doubt, indecision

These states of mind interfere with the meditator’s practice, but once they are conquered he/she may progress through increasingly subtle stages to reach a state of profound stillness and peace. In this state the mind rests, and breathing is clamed to the point of virtually stopping. Sensations of any kind disappear and only pure awareness remains. From this state, the Buddha went on to attain Buddhahood.

Brahma Viharas

Although Buddhism is concerned with personal transformation, this is too narrow and description of meditation. Personal transformation is necessary and you will see it in the person’s relationship with others. Buddhists meditate on the Brahma Viharas to cultivate a positive attitude towards others and to allow them to be more understanding, forgiving and accepting.

The four sublime states are:

• metta - usually translated as loving kindness. A person must wish himself well and then spread the positive and friendly thoughts towards a friend of the same sex, for people in general and then all other living beings.

• karuna - this means active compassion, an understanding of the nature of suffering and sharing the suffering of others.

• Mudita - this is sympathetic joy in which the meditator shares the happiness of all other beings. It can be very hard to share in the joy of others, especially if things are not so great for yourself

• Upekkha - this is a state of peace and serenity, in which, with a well-balanced mind, a person looks on all beings - whether friendly or not - with the same positive attitude of care and well-wishing.

Zen Practice

Zen is a form of sitting meditation in which the practitioner will sit facing a wall in lotus position, usually with eyes open and often for long periods of time. It is not unheard of for a zen master to walk behind practitioners and hit them with a stick to prevent them from losing posture or falling asleep. For Zen Buddhists, meditation is not something that happens only when sitting in the meditation hall. Even everyday tasks can become meditation practice. Nibbana is in the here and now so even the most mundane chores become transformed into the blissful experience of Enlightenment. It is for this reason that a popular image of Zen monks and nuns is that they live a very simple life, chopping wood, tending gardens, preparing vegetables or sweeping a courtyard. These humdrum activities are meditations. When they are performed with mindful awareness, they lead to nibbana.

KU Points - Meditation

• the means of which the Buddha reached enlightenment

• final three steps of the eightfold path

• emptying the mind of all thoughts through sitting very still and calm

• many Buddhists sit in the lotus position

• allows detachment and eases suffering

• samantha meditation involves concentrating on one thing

Analysis/Evaluation - Meditation and Devotion (Strengths)

• meditation is the tried and tested way to achieve enlightenment as evidenced by the Buddha’s life experience

• the overall health and well-being benefits of meditation are well-documented and have a positive impact on the lives of the people practicing it

• you will gain good kamma by participating in meditation and devotion

• you will develop positive character attributes as you overcome the grasp of the three root poisons

• meditation and devotion takes you closer to realising your Buddha-nature

Analysis/Evaluation - Meditation and Devotion (weaknesses)

• time consuming, hard to devote the hours needed to become an effective meditation practitioner

• meditation is difficult, especially the more advanced form of Vippasana

• you may live far away from a Buddhist temple so access to teachers is more difficult. Temple worship is impossible in this situation so it becomes less relevant than home puja and devotion