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
