Why
meditate? Fortunately it is not necessary to have a firm idea
of the purpose or aim of meditation in order to practise it.
What can be said is that those who have meditated regularly
for a period of time are not over-concerned with its purpose
- the practice is sufficient unto itself.
It
is commonly assumed that the practice of meditation leads people
to become at ease with themselves and with their circumstances
in life. Though this may carry some truth, it cannot be guaranteed,
for the direction of the practice is towards the root of one's
being: in essence, to that which is ineffable. Indeed, if one
has a firm idea of one's essential nature, then one is automatically
limited by such a belief. Although meditation is not incompatible
with the notion of personal growth, it is best practised in
the spirit of service to the indescribable. Growth of being
may occur, but to continue the work of meditation in the apparent
absence of results requires love and faith: these too are nurtured
by meditation.
A few words may be useful regarding the philosophy of meditation
and the nature of mind: for it is by mind that mind in us becomes
organized. It is evident that mind, of its own accord, flies
hither and thither like dust in a sandstorm, and this is our
familiar everyday world. But who can govern chaos?
If
it is to be brought into some measure of order, then it must
settle upon one thing, a way, under the control and direction
of will: it then has power. With mind under will, the gentlest
of all faculties, one is in a position to know that which affirms
creation. Essential to the practice of meditation is the repeated
and sustained application of attention to something simple -
often a sound or an image which is self-generated.
It
is the task of the meditator to devote his attention to this
sound or image, and to the field of awareness that is established.
This too has its roots in something yet more primitive, which
in turn indicates a direction to follow.
Some
further words regarding a common misconception: meditation is
not concerned with generating a preconceived state of mind or
being, no matter how desirable that may appear to be, for such
an activity could simply be described as a well-crafted act
of memorising. Rather, the practice of meditation requires one
to be in the moment, and to act accordingly.
We
remind you that information is not knowledge, that where you
stand is simply a vantage point, and that there is always further
to go.
