(new) new year

A popular meditation technique is called “mindfulness meditation”.   What does it mean to be mindful?

I heard a definition that I really like on the radio last week.  Mindfulness meditation is:  “noticing the extraordinary in the ordinary”.  When we sit in silence, it is the most ordinary thing …. BUT we are surrounded by all manner of wonderful things: our ever changing breath, the ambient sounds in the room, the light behind our eyelids, a sneeze,  … I could go on and on.   Life as it presents itself in the present moment is always extraordinary, but we lose sight of The Wonder when we focus on the past or the future (which is just barfed up past).  

Give it a try … notice the extraordinary in the ordinary.  

And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count God's blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative. (Quran 14:34)

Peace on you,
bob

Christmas

I have concluded after many years of meditation that “spiritual practice” is ultimately about Worship.  Worship can take many forms: gratitude, prayer, charity, being good, doing good, and, most importantly, trusting God (submission).

In America we celebrate the birth of Jesus by shopping our brains out.  This is not “spiritual practice” as far as I can tell (LOL).  

A better spiritual practice is what I call a “Trust meditation” where we, during our quiet period, just let go of how we think it “OUGHT to be” and trust that all things are just as God would have them be (including the “bad” stuff). 

Give "Trust meditation" a go during the holidays.  It always brings peace to my heart.

When Jesus sensed their disbelief, he said, "Who are my supporters towards God?" The disciples said, "We are God's supporters; we believe in God, and bear witness that we are submitters." (Quran 3:52)

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving (in the US).  Is not gratitude the fruit and purpose of our meditation practice?

God brought you out of your mothers' bellies knowing nothing, and He gave you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains, that you may be appreciative. (Quran 16:78)

peace on you,
bob

to understand meditation

To understand meditation - practice meditation.

peace on you,
bob

delusions

Silent meditation shines light on our delusions.  The big delusion is that we are in control[*].  Sitting in silence quickly proves that we cannot control anything including the next thought that arises in the mind.

We can change nothing BUT we can turn on the lights; meditation turns on the lights.

[*]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

There is no way to freedom; freedom is the way

Disappointment is the great lesson of an earnest meditation practice.  Sitting in Silence smashes expectations like elephants smash blades of grass as they walk quietly through a moist savannah.

Stop seeking freedom! It is our very seeking that hides what is always there.

“If you want to travel the Way of Buddhas and Zen masters, then expect nothing, seek nothing, and grasp nothing.” 
― Dōgen

peace on you,
bob

True Seeing

What is the purpose of meditation?  The Zen Buddhists claim that it is to see things as they ARE.  But how ARE things?

I like to call seeing things as they ARE “TRUE SEEING” - to see things absent my ideas of how things “OUGHT” to be.  

Meditation is at the root an emptying process - emptying all that I have ever learned or thought - a massive unlearning process.  At the end of this process it is clear that:

Nothing is mine:

To God belongs the east and the west; wherever you go there will be the presence of God. God is Omnipresent, Omniscient. (Quran 2:115)

God is in control of all things:

Such is God your Cherisher and Sustainer, there is no god except He, the Creator of all things. You shall worship Him alone. He is in control of all things. (Quran 6:102)


Everything I see in this life is temporary:

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)

peace on you,
bob