Islam meets "no-self"

I try to keep my meditation posts short but I’m going to make an exception for the next three or four posts as this topic “Islam meets No-Self” requires it.

I’m going to suggest a few meditation techniques based on my understanding of the Quran that are much in line with other “oneness” or "no-self" Eastern teachings. I have personally used these Quran-based techniques; they are powerful and have lead me to a grateful and peaceful place.

Many well known sages (Ramana Maharshi, Sri Nisargatta Maharaj and modern teachers like Scott Kiloby) state that the ultimate goal of meditation and spiritual practice is to realize the absence of self. The question “You ought to see if you have an ego before you spend so much time trying to tame it or destroy it” is often advanced by these wise ones.

“No-Self” teachers suggest meditation techniques based on “Self inquiry” - That is, answering the question: “Who am I?”. Who is it that thinks, feels, senses, and is trying to find lasting happiness? While these techniques are certainly effective there is another approach based on the Quran that approaches the question “Who am I” in a different way that I prefer.

Of the many grand spiritual themes in the Quran, three of them in particular point to “No-Self”. They are (with sample Quranic verses):

1. To God belongs everything (Nothing is mine)

2. God is control of all matters, and

3. Everything in this life is temporary.

To God belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by God.

(Quran 3:109)

Know that this worldly life is no more than play and games, and boasting among you, and hoarding of money and children. It is like abundant rain that produces plants and pleases the disbelievers. But then the plants turn into useless hay, and are blown away by the wind. In the Hereafter there is either severe retribution, or forgiveness from God and approval. This worldly life is no more than a temporary illusion.

(Quran 57:20)

Let’s consider the first of these themes: “To God belongs everything”. In the Quran as in the Bible and Torah God is the Creator of everything: atoms, molecules, heat, time, plants, animals, and humans. Therefore, because the creator of something owns that something we can conclude that we own nothing. Without ownership who are we? Clearly, not the king of the castle that most of us imagine ourselves to be. Realizing that we own nothing (including our own bodies) is both shocking and liberating - liberating in the sense that when something appears, disappears, or changes we can rest in the knowledge that it belongs to someone else. Ahhh ... instant freedom from possession.

The meditation practice that I use to cement the Quranic claim that I own nothing is based on the usual silent meditation format. Sit in silence and as thoughts, feelings, and sensations arise I just let them come and go and remind myself that they are not mine. So for example if a worry about “my job” arises during the practice period, I just notice the thought and note to myself that the “job” is not mine … everything belongs to God. If, as another example, I notice the breath, I just note that it is not mine - it is God's. Daily practice of this technique leads to a profound “letting go” of things. Letting go always brings peace and gratitude!

A final note on this practice. The idea with this practice is not to diminish or erase the 'ego' but rather to come to see things as they truly are – to see the reality that nothing is mine.  This is a giant step in realizing the truth of "no-self"

In the next few posts I’ll discuss and suggest meditation techniques for the two remaining Quranic themes: “God is in control of all matters” and “Everything is temporary”.

May peace be upon you,

bob