- Marianne Williamson
The health benefits of meditation are becoming more and more well known. Through meditation practice we can counteract the unhealthy effects of stress in our lives and learn to be healthier and happier. Recent research has documented the ability of meditation to change our brain functioning. A recent article published by ABC News states, “Several studies suggest that these changes through meditation can make you happier, less stressed -- even nicer to other people. It can help you control your eating habits and even reduce chronic pain, all the while without taking prescription medication.” (http://abcnews.go.com/US/meditation-wiring-brain-happiness/story?id=14180253)
Apparently some MDs are now prescribing meditation for their patients. As such meditation practices are generally removed from the context of any particular spiritual tradition. Instead of a means of enlightenment meditation is seen as a form of psychosomatic hygiene. Health is extremely important to us, of course, but it might not be the be and end all of life. It is certainly not the totality of what meditation practice has to offer.
Spirituality is about coming to recognize the inner aspect of our beings which is beyond the body, beyond the physical dimensions of existence. Meditation practices, whether within the context of Buddhism, Vedanta, Sufism or Contemplative Christianity, are means of developing this recognition. Recognition is different from belief and, in fact, our beliefs often get in the way of our recognition. Meditation is not just about rising above the body but also of stepping outside of our mental structures; our concepts and beliefs. It is only then that we come face to face with reality.
We are not able to function without some conceptual system to go on however. Authentic spiritual tradition is not about indoctrinating us with beliefs but guiding us in the process of realization. There are many invaluable scriptures that we can consult which give us directions and descriptions of the awakened state. The point is not to take these purely on faith but to investigate, practice and realize for ourselves. Otherwise they have a very limited value; maybe as beautiful poetry or academic fodder.
Within the Yoga tradition, for example, there are many practices that appear on the surface to be primarily religious. Chanting mantras, visualizing deities or yantras, studying sacred texts, performing labor in a communal setting, etc. are all aspects of the system. They are means for taking us out of ordinary ego-centric consciousness and bringing us closer to God, or Self. We can dispense with these “religious” aspects but in doing so we may be discarding valuable elements of an integral system of spiritual development. On the other hand, there is legitimate danger in becoming overly attached to and identified with a particular form of practice. As Swami Satyananda has said of his system of yoga, “It is my way, but it is not the only way.”
Each of us is on our own personal path through this life. We have our unique lessons to learn, karma to fulfill, and gifts to offer. We also have our own inner personal connection to Spirit. Meditation is an intensely intimate and personal practice, even when we practice with a group. On the other hand it connects us to the impersonal, nonlocal consciousness which is omnipresent. We might choose to call this God, but in doing so must remember that God is ultimately who we are, not something or someone separate. Don’t take my word for it though. Realize for yourself.
Ultimately we are seeking something beyond mental and physical health. These are important but temporary features of our beings. It is important to grasp the impermanent nature of phenomenal existence. Despite all the advances in medicine, longevity research, etc. we are eventually going to die one way or another. Meditation is a means of taking us beyond our preoccupations with the temporal and initiating us into the eternal aspect of ourselves. As the prayer from the Upanishads goes,
Asato ma sad gamaya
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya
Mrityur ma amamritam gamaya
(Lead me from the unreal to the real
From darkness to light
From death to immortality)
If we accept that spirituality is a legitimate aspect of our beings than we must understand that it is not the exclusive province of any one religion, philosophy of system of practice. These are all ways that have been developed by those before us. What is valuable is only what we can use to further our development, our inner evolution. The spiritual traditions are, however, great resources. Religious traditions represent the collective evolution of humanity. At some point we must go beyond them into the mystery of our own being. At least it seems to be healthy!
