Reflections on Meditation - October 2023
This months reflections on meditation. A collection of Substack notes for the month of October 2023 from Now About Meditation
Parker J. Palmer tells us that,
"Wholeness does not mean perfection: it means embracing brokenness as an integral part of life. Knowing this gives me hope that human wholeness—mine, yours, ours—need not be a utopian dream, if we can use devastation as a seedbed for new life.”
Here, Parker J. Palmer indicates to us that wholeness is not synonymous with perfection; rather, it signifies the acceptance of brokenness as an essential facet of our existence. Parker's comments fills me with hope, as it is reminding us that the pursuit of human wholeness, whether it's within ourselves or as a collective, should not be dismissed as an unattainable utopian fantasy. Instead, it encourages us to view moments of difficulty and adversity as fertile ground for growth and renewal, where seeds of resilience can sprout and how even the fractured pieces of our lives can mend and evolve into something even more profound with the right help. Ultimately, Palmer is inviting us to embrace our imperfections and challenges as opportunities for transformation, ensuring that the path to wholeness is not a distant dream but a tangible and resilient reality.
Lewis Richmond comments on how,
"We need to live our life in accordance with how things actually are—and you can, perhaps, see this reality most clearly reflected in your own ageing body and mind."
I find this statement thought-provoking, as it highlights the profound importance of aligning our lives with the inherent truths of existence, which are often most evident in the gradual changes that accompany the ageing process reflected in one of the three marks of existence that of impermanence (anicca). As Richmond suggests, it is clear that our ageing bodies and minds serve as a powerful mirror to reflect and remind us of the fundamental reality of the inherent impermanence in life. This as we witness the physical and cognitive transformations that come with age, we come to acknowledge the impermanence and fragility of human existence. Contemplative traditions teach that by recognizing these truths, we can cultivate a deeper sense of mindfulness and wisdom, guiding us to live in harmony with the natural flow of life rather than resisting it. In essence, Richmond's statement makes me reflect on the importance of embracing the present moment and learning from the wisdom of our ageing selves so as to make choices that resonate with the reality of our ever-evolving being.
Joseph Bobrow Roshi comments,
"It’s not just what we do that will determine the benevolent or afflictive results, but it’s the intention behind them."
With this statement, Joseph Bobrow Roshi reminds us that our actions are not solely defined by the external deeds we perform, but rather, it is the intricate tapestry of our intentions behind our actions that truly shapes the benevolence or affliction of their consequences. This points to the profound importance of being mindful of the intention behind our actions in our lives. Why because being mindful of our intentions can help in guiding us to navigate and direct our moral compass toward discerning if the motives driving our actions stem from wholesome or unwholesome motivations. Ultimately, Joseph Bobrow Roshi's statement reminds us that the root of our intentions behind our actions is the true measure of the ethical outcomes of our deeds.
Ken McLeod urges us,
"Instead of trying to build the perfect world according to this or that ideology, put your attention in how you live and interact with others in each moment of the day."
Here, Ken McLeod is pointing to a shift in perspective in how we go about life by emphasizing the important place presence and mindfulness hold in our daily lives. How? Rather than fixating on the unattainable goal of constructing a utopian society or ideal way of how my life should work out dictated by rigid ideologies, McLeod invites us to redirect our focus towards the immediate, the now. He highlights the transformative power of being fully engaged in the way we live and connect with those around us, urging us to embrace the richness of the present moment. In doing so, we can foster deeper connections, empathy, and a more harmonious world through the small yet significant acts of compassion, understanding, and mindfulness that unfold in our everyday interactions.
This made me remember of an insight that once hit me while practising mindfulness where many times we might find ourselves caught up in a hard-bound search for the “meaning of life”. Asking, What is the meaning of life? But this is a question with an unfathomable answer. So hard is the question to answer that it leads one into an exhausting, endless search while life passes by. The answer to such a question might be to stop searching and "start living", as Mcleod also eludes in their statement, and meaning will start creeping into life. 😉
Preserving your boundaries is important, and Pilar Jennings comments,
"Preserving yourself and knowing your boundaries is not the same thing as exclusively seeking your own happiness. It’s about the healing process of learning to skillfully discern what will and will not serve all beings, yourself included."
On reflection, I myself agree with Pilar Jennings', and the emphasis she places on the act of preserving oneself and having a healthy understanding of personal boundaries. Where stating and preserving one’s boundaries should not be misconstrued as a solitary pursuit of individual happiness or mistrust of others. Rather, it involves actively engaging in developing the skill to adeptly distinguish between actions and choices that contribute to the well-being of others while also taking into account one's own needs. This nuanced approach requires a profound understanding that our own preservation is also intrinsically tied to those around us and the people we interact with in our daily lives. Such that learning to navigate the delicate balance between self-care and compassion for others does not only involves selfless acts but also self-preserving acts rooted in self-compassion with an understanding that an interconnected world where all beings thrive also requires a healthy understanding of our boundaries and those of others and a mutual respect of both from all parties involved.