Reflections on Meditation - March 2024
This months reflections on meditation. A collection of Substack notes for the month of March 2024 from Now About Meditation
Freedom: The Active Pursuit of Liberation
"Freedom takes work. It takes prayer. It takes connecting to the unseen. It takes devotion and trust in the sacred or the divine. But if we can do that, then we will get free." - by Lama Rod Owens
In the words of Lama Rod Owens, freedom isn't a gift we passively receive. It requires effort. It is an active pursuit that demands intentional effort and commitment. It involves labor of self-reflection and overcoming limitations, a process that includes both internal and external dimensions. To achieve true freedom, one must engage in the labor of self-discovery and self-discipline.
Prayer can serve as a conduit for this, as a means to connect us with the unseen forces that guide and empower us on this journey. Because the quest for freedom requires going beyond principles tied to oneself and the material world, whether grounded in spirituality or a sense of the sacred, trust in the divine is an essential component for nurturing beliefs and values that transcend the limitations of the visible world.
It's through this dedication to a higher purpose that we break free from not only external constraints but also from the shackles of our own doubts and fears.
Mindfulness and Care in Ethical Living
Meditation teacher, writer, and scholar Winton Higgins writes,
"We can’t live ethically without caring about ourselves as well as others. And we can’t be mindful without caring about what is happening here and now. Care underpins the radical attention that dharma practice accentuates."
Here, Winton Higgins directs us toward the interwoven nature of ethics, mindfulness, and care in the practice of dharma. Broadly speaking, as a parlance, dharma means "the right way of living" or "the path of rightness."
The emphasis here is on the essential role that self-care alongside concern for others plays as essential elements toward an ethical "right way of living." Winton tells us that true ethical living necessitates a balance between these two dimensions. Moreover, he underscores the significance of mindfulness, highlighting its inseparable connection to caring about the present moment. According to Higgins, care serves as the foundational element that sustains the present-moment attention cultivated through dharma practice - we need to care to do such a thing - accentuating its radical nature. In essence, his perspective illuminates how the cultivation of care is fundamental to navigating the complexities of ethical living and deepening one's mindfulness practice.
The Transformative Power of Virtue
Theravada Buddhist monk Bhikkhu Bodhi comments,
"Every wholesome thought, every pure intention, every effort to train the mind represents a potential for growth along the noble eightfold path."
Bhikkhu Bodhi, known for his insightful commentary, shines a light on the profound nature of personal growth along the noble eightfold path. With his words, he emphasizes the transformative power inherent in every virtuous thought, every pure intention, and every endeavour to cultivate the mind. Each of these actions, he suggests, serves as a fertile ground for spiritual development and progress. In recognizing the inherent potential within these seemingly simple acts, Bhikkhu Bodhi highlights the essence of the noble eightfold path as a journey of continuous refinement and elevation of consciousness. It is a reminder that even the smallest efforts towards mindfulness and ethical conduct hold immense significance on the path towards liberation and awakening.
Frustration Is Part Of The Territory
Jack Kornfield, writer and Vipassana teacher, comments,
"When you undertake a spiritual discipline, frustration comes with the territory. Nothing in our culture or our schooling has taught us to study and calm our attention."
Here, Jack Kornfield rightly points out how taking up a spiritual practice like meditation comes with its challenges, noting how frustration is an inevitable companion in any spiritual practice. In a society that predominantly values productivity, one that often is fixated on external achievements and immediate gratification, stopping to practice mindfulness or any other introspective practice is often neglected. Unlike the structured curriculum of formal education, spiritual pursuits demand a different kind of learning—one that prioritizes introspection and the refinement of one's attention. Kornfield's insight also underscores the lack of emphasis placed on self-study and mindfulness within mainstream education and societal norms.
In embracing a spiritual path, individuals must confront not only their external realities but also the complexities of the mind. This requires a 180-degree shift in perspective and a willingness to navigate the discomfort that is bound to arise from sitting with one's own thoughts, emotions, and conditioning. However, it is through disciplined practice and patient sitting and observing the mind that gradually one can become familiar with it and how it moves. Ultimately, Kornfield's comment is a reminder that while the path may be fraught with challenges, it is through a process of inner exploration that true growth and transformation are realized.