Although I constantly refer to “silence” and “presence,” I have put off posting any how-to here about meditation, since there are innumerable resources out there and I don’t want to re-invent the wheel. I may eventually post a how-to here.
In the meantime, Brian Williard sent me the below link that I can’t ignore.
I’d urge anyone who’s interested in meditation, or in learning how to meditate, to read it. Actually, I’d encourage anyone who’s not engaged in meditation now, to read it.
(Someone at HuffPost assigned that web page a different title, namely, “The Type of Meditation You Haven’t Been Practicing (But Should Be).” In short, whoever did that was wrong, wrong, wrong.)
On the one hand, I disagree with the author that “Son” (He sometimes spells it “Seon.”) or “Korean” meditation is significantly different from any other. Almost all the teachings I have encountered have been pretty much the same.
On the other hand, he does provide corrective to a widespread, mistaken point of view, with his discussion of “meditation in the midst of turmoil.” In the application of presence, or dharma, it is in the encounter with the hub-bub of activity in the material world, that one’s practice of silence either stands or falls — works or fails. The path to Spirit leads not away from, but through, matter. The gateway to the infinite is in the smallest concrete point. The entrance to eternity is this moment, right now. You can’t get “there” any other way than by being, most fully and most emphatically, “here.”
The author is providing specific how-to resources, and tells the reader how to access them.
Related: “Essay on Prayer,” by Ambrose Worrall “Meditation and Contemplation,” by Ambrose Worrall “Silentium Altum (Deep Silence),” by Ambrose Worrall
Other recommended authors: Jon Kabat-Zinn Ram Dass Thich Nhat Hanh Eckhart Tolle Update, 05/14/14:
Another pertinent link from Brian Williard, in case anyone needs a sales pitch:
At first, I was taken aback by the article’s zest for the trendy. However, a number of the “advantages” mentioned are right up there among my top reasons for suggesting folk meditate; in line with previous discussions here of wisdom and emotional maturity, and with the discussion of serum serotonin in “Chaos Overwhelms the Poor.”
(Originally posted 05/13/14.)
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