control?

Meditation can be thought of as the practice of letting go of control. 

It is better to say that true meditation is recognizing that you had no control in the first place; seeing that there is nothing to let go of in any case - then immutable Peace shines.

“Whatever is destined not to happen will not happen, try as you may. Whatever is destined to happen will happen, do what you may to prevent it. This is certain. The best course, therefore, is to remain silent.” Ramana Maharshi

To God belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by God. Quran 3:109

peace on you, bob

Practice is unlearning

The practice of meditation is the practice of forgetting - forgetting our past, forgetting our future hopes, and forgetting everything we have ever learned or experienced.

Through this forgetting we come to remember the miracle of this present moment - we weep with gratitude for the One who gives us life.

He is the One God; the Creator, the Initiator, the Designer. To Him belong the most beautiful names. Glorifying Him is everything in the heavens and the earth. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.(Quran 59:24)

empty yourself utterly

Meditation is the search for what to let go of … empty yourself utterly.

When we let go we realize that everything is just fine, and that all of our control pictures are unnecessary then we arrive at complete trust.    

Moses said, "O my people, if you have really believed in God, then put your trust in Him, if you are really submitters."

[Quran 10:84]

peace on you,

bob

What I trust

You might wonder what informs my ideas about mediation and “spiritual practice”.  I trust two sources of knowledge because they are NOT the opinions of men.  They are The Holy Quran and Mathematics.  Of these two the Quran is the most reliable and trustworthy.

Here are two of my favorite quotes on The Quran and Mathematics.

This Quran could not possibly be authored by other than God. It confirms all previous messages, and provides a fully detailed scripture. It is infallible, for it comes from the Lord of the universe.

[Quran 10:37] 

I argue, as others have done before me, that mathematical concepts and ideas exist objectively, outside of the physical world and outside of the world of consciousness. We mathematicians discover them and are able to connect to this hidden reality through our consciousness. If Leo Tolstoy had not lived we would never have known Anna Karenina. There is no reason to believe that another author would have written that same novel. However, if Pythagoras had not lived, someone else would have discovered exactly the same Pythagoras theorem. Moreover, that theorem means the same to us today as it meant to Pythagoras 2,500 years ago.

[Edward Frenkel - Berkeley Math Department] 

Peace on you,

Bob

practice

Skill in silent meditation is like any other skill ... comes with practice (much practice).  Meditation to me is, at the root, just "being quiet"; letting the worldliness drip off leaving an innocent mind ready to appreciate God's blessings. 

If you count GOD's blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Quran 16:18].

Peace on you,
bob

fruit of practice

Meditation is that act of turning away from our “small-self” toward Reality as God created it.

This practice leads naturally to the recognition of the uncountable blessings that are ALWAYS available for our use and enjoyment.  This recognition is the fruit of regular practice.  

If you count GOD's blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. [Quran 16:18]

True Peace

Meditation is the practice of emptying ourselves of the world as we think it ought to be.

When the mind becomes empty we come to see things as God created them … the unbelievable beauty and uncountable blessings of God's creation: created for our enjoyment and sustenance. 

This way of seeing the world in turn points directly to God … the ultimate source of Peace and Light.

“Truly it is the remembrance of God that hearts find peace” (Quran 13:28)