Buddhist Meditation and Common Misperceptions
Much like the subjects of diet and health there is a plethora of information available on the subject of meditation. Unfortunately the majority of the information available is written from the narrow point of view of just one particular religion or philosophy. To make matters worse this fact is not clearly pointed out by those who present the information.
To the beginner much of the statements made sound like overarching laws of meditation when in fact they are highly specific and often exclusive to one particular tradition of meditation. Confusion soon arises when information is uncovered that is in contradiction to what was previously thought to be a universal law of meditation.
In this article I am going to be specific. The common misconceptions of meditation I propose to clear up are in regards to Buddhist Insight Meditation. It is important to deal with any misconceptions you might have of meditation early on in your meditative practice. Otherwise your progress may become blocked by those misconceptions.
People Should Avoid Meditation Because it is Dangerous
It is true that if you pursue a meditation practice for long enough you are likely to stumble across things that were previously suppressed within yourself. However there is little in this life that does not pose a potential risk. You don’t refuse to go to work because you might die during the commute. There is a risk but you choose to take it because there are also rewards.
Developing your awareness through Buddhist meditation is not dangerous in and of itself. For most people meditation is a very gradual process. Trying to force progress is rather contrary to the whole idea. So take it slow. Have patience and by the time you discover what may be disturbing insights you will be ready. Periods of intense meditation such as at a meditative retreat should be carried out under the guidance of a competent teacher. While working alone be gentle with yourself.
Meditation is Self-Centered
This misperception is a common one. Someone who meditates does in fact spend a great deal of time focused on his or her self. However it is erroneous to consider meditation self-centered. The purpose of Buddhist meditation is to free those who meditate from the grip of anger, prejudice, and ill will. To meditate is to be motivated to get rid of greed and tension.
As meditation gradually pulls out these “mind weeds” those who meditate become unobstructed from having great compassion for others. If anyone was to examine the private lives of longtime meditators they would likely find a person who is giving, a lack of conditions placed on love and friendship and a sense of selflessness.
It is through meditation that a person is able to become aware of exactly how selfish they really are. The ways in which we are selfish are beyond counting and range from overtly obvious to extremely subtle. It is in no way selfish to practice meditation so as to cleanse oneself of selfishness.
Meditation is Mysterious and Beyond Understanding
There is subtlety to this misperception of meditation. Much of the meditation experience occurs in a realm beyond words and conceptual thought. So while meditation quite simply can be understood the manner of understanding will be different to ordinary conceptual understanding.
Much of experience and being is far beyond words. Words are simply symbolic. Words represent things. Words are not things themselves beyond being symbols for other things. Thus we should resist the urge to talk overly much about meditation. Meditation is not an abstract topic for debate and discussion. Meditation is an experience. Its value comes from doing it. Out of experience comes understanding.
Over the next week or so I will cover some more misperceptions of Buddhist meditation. Then we’ll take a look at what Buddhist meditation is as opposed to what it is not.
If you have found this article useful please consider donating. Your generosity will help me keep Balanced Existence constantly updated with new articles and information. Thank you!
October 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Hi Stephen
Great entry. I’m keen to follow your blogs and contribute as it comes. Not critical, just viewing from a different perspective. I recently blogged an answer to The Ultimate Life Question, you can check it out at http://www.gregdea.com/?p=220. Here I wrote on the need to at times be selfish. Here’s an excerpt:
Some time ago, another friend was in need of some support. From the depths of the universal mind, I was inspired to write to her, “If the world is ever confusing you, you can take the positive out of such confusion, by acknowledging that you are aware of your current place in it.
Look at yourself in this world from a distance looking down.
See yourself as a golden special soul who has a path that’s being crowded.
Reach down and pull that soul out of the mess.
This actually means that you have to see you and your path as being unique to the rest of the world and of prime importance.”
What I wanted to say to her was: “At times in our lives we need to look after ourselves, we need to be selfish. We need to ensure that our goals are serviced, with complete concentration and compassion, and to do it properly.”
The way I described to her the action of looking down on herself and helping herself should not be read to mean that she should think of her mind and body as separate, for they are not. It should be read to mean that she look, listen and reach inward and raise her awareness of the good that is inside, trying to get a voice heard, then facilitate this good by following it.
Cheers
Greg Dea´s last blog post..The Ultimate Life Question - Answered
November 1st, 2008 at 5:44 am
Hello Stephen!
Just saw one of your guest posts at Pick Your Brain.
It’s heart-warming to see you covering meditation and spirituality in depth.
Nice site +_+
axel g´s last blog post..October Obsessions