Meditation: A Tool to Discover the Secrets of the Mind
The first time I heard the word meditation was back in the
good ol’ days of grade school. It was the time when I was only
beginning to hear about the psychic stuff, you know, levitation, telekenesis, telepathy,
and so on. I learned from the people around me that it’s possible to
get these unusual abilities if you practice meditation though I had no
clue it has something to do with the mind. Matter of fact, I didn’t even
know what “mind” really meant.
After a few years, I became so intrigued by these psychic phenomena
that I thought maybe if I tried meditating I might some day discover
the secret about these abilities, especially telekenesis. I’ve always
wanted to move objects by just looking at them. I tried it a few times,
but it didn’t take long before I gave up and finally said Funk This!
After a few more attempts, I gave up. The only ability I acquired was
the ability to curse.
Meditation is a technique to clear the mind of its noise then to
lose the mind altogether. Meditation is as old as time itself, but the
needs of each new generation differ from those of the preceding one
requiring a re-definition of purpose and the reformulation of technique.
By doing meditation, a person can go into different states of
consciousness and study those states in order to reprogram the mind
which would otherwise be impossible if one is to do it in the normal
waking state. If you want more details about how to meditate, the states
of consciousness associated with meditation, and other stuff, just key
in the word “Meditation” on Google and it will change your life like...
forever. Yah!
There are many types of meditation techniques out there and each
religion probably has its own form of meditative practice. Personally, I
focus on a certain technique called Samyama. Samyama is a combined
simultaneous practice of Dhāraṇā, Dhyāna, and Samādhi which belongs to the classical yoga primarily concerned with the mind called Raja Yoga or "royal union."
- Dharana or "Concentration": Fixing the attention on a single object. The collection or concentration of the mind (joined with the retention or control of breath).
- Dhyana or "Meditation": Intense contemplation of the nature of the object of meditation. Training the mind to remain fixed on a certain internal or external location.
- Samadhi or "Liberation": Merging consciousness with the object of meditation. When one achieves samadhi, there is no longer a distinction between the act of meditation and the object of meditation.
VS: Teacher, can I ask you something?
The Buddha Mind: Sup dawg? Just call me, dude.
VS: Uhm, ok. Dude, is it really true that we can discover the secrets of the mind and reality if we meditate? Can we also achieve true enlightenment through meditation?
The Buddha Mind: Hmm… it depends.
VS: It depends on what?
The Buddha Mind: It depends if you believe it can give you what it claims to give. You see, if you’re going to meditate to clear your mind of its noise and ultimately lose it, how is that possible if what you’re using for that purpose in the first place is your mind? Isn’t that absurd? Also, true enlightenment, if that’s what you’re seeking through the use of this technique, is a total waste of time.
VS: Why do you say that?
The Buddha Mind: I say this because, first, the ultimate goal of meditation, which you call moksha, nirvana, or enlightenment, is put into you by your culture. The idea did not come from you no matter how you look at it. Meditation only causes you nothing but pain because you will be in constant battle with your mind and your thoughts. Keep in mind that thought is what is primarily keeping you alive. If you eliminate thought, nothing will be left to keep that body of yours moving and so, you’re as good as dead. You didn’t come on Earth to spend your life as stiff as a corpse, did you?
Second, true enlightenment doesn’t require any technique to be reached. You may experience some petty little mystical experiences by meditating, but these things are of no value to you. You are already there but you just don’t know it. Unfortunately, it is not something that can be known and that’s your main problem. If you’re seeking “union with the divine” or what other people call “yoga” through meditation, then you won’t find it. It only comes to those who are lucky or are destined to have it. Besides, if it was that easy to achieve, I’ll be out of business.
Now, since you’re talking to me, I might as well show it to you so you can know the secret and understand what I’m trying to say. But first, you have to die. No meditation needed; you just need to drop dead. Is that ok with you?
VS: Jesus H. Christ!!!
The Buddha Mind: No, my name is Siddhārtha. Siddhārtha Gautama.
VS: Are you serious about all this?
The Buddha Mind: I'm not a clown like you. I'm a buddha.
VS: Geezuz! Ok, this is just too much for me. Maybe I should just find something else to do.
The Buddha Mind: Yeah, try to find Jesus or something.
Question: When did you first discover or learn about meditation and how do you use it in your life?