Islam meets no-self continued

Continuing with the topic “Islam meets No-Self”, I'd like to suggest a meditation technique based on the second of the three Quranic themes mentioned in my last post: God is in control of all matters.

1.To God belongs everything (Nothing is mine)
2.God is control of all matters, and
3.Everything in this this life is temporary.

These grand themes are referenced throughout the Quran.  Here are two of the specific verses:

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)

What is meant by God controls all matters?  The Quran is quite specific about this.  It includes: the cycle of life and death of all physical things, hearing and eyesight, credit for good and evil deeds, every soul, life circumstances including wealth and or poverty, and guiding and sending astray those whom He chooses. In a word everything including the gift of our free will. 

So … not only does God own everything (previous post), He controls all matters.

Given this, why do we spend so much time worrying about things over which we have absolutely no control?  It is not only a waste of time, it is in denial of reality – the reality that, even though we may choose between this and that, the outcomes of our choices are completely controlled by God.

So, here's the meditation practice associated with this idea.  As is usual with most silent meditation practices, I sit in a comfortable position just noticing what arises for me - thoughts, physical sensations feelings, or input from our physical senses (noises, smells, and so forth). As these events occur, I notice them and without reacting to them in any particular way I remember that God is in charge.  I like to say to myself mentally: “I'm not in charge, I ***trust God knows best – then relax back into the Silence.  Letting go of the delusion that I am in control of outcomes brings such great peace!

***Say: “Nothing can happen to us except what God has ordained for us.  He is Our Master. It is in God that the believers should put their trust.” (Quran 9:51)

As examples, if we hear noises that initially I deem to be disturbing I remember that I am not in charge of 'noises' but God is … then I relax back into the Silence trusting God knows best about 'noises' - let go, trust God.  Or, if I start to worry about a health matter, I relax and remember that God is in charge of all things including my health, trusting that God knows best. Let go, trust God. Naturally, this does not mean that I don't later go to a doctor but that ultimately the outcome of the matter will be determined by God. 

A final thought about this technique. The idea is not to diminish or erase the 'ego' but rather to come to see things as they truly are – to see the reality that God is in charge and that He knows what is best for us.  Practicing this idea during meditation is a big step in realizing the truth of "no-self". Again - “who am I” if I own nothing and I'm not in charge of outcomes.

In my next post I’ll suggest a meditation technique for the remaining Quranic theme: “everything is temporary”.

Peace on you,
bob

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

submit

Meditation is at, the root, a letting go - letting go of your ideas of how you think it ought to be and submitting to how the Divine created it and sustains it.

By letting go you come to see life in a completely new way - deeply interconnected, not belonging to you, and temporary. Hearts rejoice! 

You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.
Franz Kafka

They are the ones whose hearts rejoice in remembering God. Absolutely, by remembering God, the hearts rejoice.
(Quran 13:28)

let go

Meditation is the practice of letting go.

Let go, let go, let go, and then let go of letting go.

Practice this often and you will come to see things as they are.  This is life's grand adventure

I can tell you that to see things as they are (not as we think they ought to be) is stunning.  

Practice, practice, practice.

Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny? (Quran 55:18)

peace on you,
bob

practice doing nothing

When we sit in silent meditation we are in fact doing nothing.  We may imagine that we are decluttering our minds, that we are becoming enlightened in some way, or that we are opening a third eye.  In reality we are just sitting there - doing nothing.

So many of our difficulties in life are caused by overreacting  — that is  “not riding the horse in the direction it is going”.  Meditation is the practice of “doing nothing”. Doing nothing is a very valuable skill.

With skill in sitting in silence (i.e. doing nothing), comes appreciation and gratitude for the myriad blessings at our disposal which for the most part are unnoticed.

Practice doing nothing - become grateful.

What will God gain from punishing you, if you became appreciative and believed? God is Appreciative, Omniscient.
(Quran 4:147)

Nothing happens to you except in accordance with God's will. Anyone who believes in God, He will guide his heart. God is fully aware of all things. 
(Quran 64:11)

Such is God your Lord, 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)

SANITY

Insanity is the act of pumping energy into stories that are not true.

Most of what we think about is insane.  Much of that insanity has to do with the idea of possession: owning property, controlling others and valuing one thing over another.

Meditation is the practice of releasing such ideas.

When we notice some idea about possession arising during our practice period, we notice that (right now) the idea is absurd (i.e. insane). Then we notice the idea disappear on its own.  Of course, laughter is encouraged during practice.  

If most of our ideas about possession are insane, what is sanity when it comes to ideas of ownership?

Big hint:  
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

Submit

Meditation is the practice of noticing how life was CREATED not how we think it OUGHT to be.

The mind naturally becomes quiescent when exterior stimulation subsides.  Silent meditation is the purposeful removal of exterior stimulus.  

When the mind becomes quiescent we come to see things as God created them.  When presented with His marvels … we gladly submit.  Ahhhh the peace!

Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?

(Quran 53:55)

O you who believe, you shall observe God as He should be observed, and do not die except as Submitters. (Quran 3:102)