Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00805)

Friends, 
See below the first part of an interesting text on Meditation. 
Carlos. 
oooooooooooo

THEOSOPHY AND THE PRACTICE OF MEDITATION.

THERE are some that feel the subject of meditation is not given prominent consideration in theosophical writings. Others have expressed that meditation is an individual matter and each must find their own method, and, therefore, a “how to” approach should not be listed. However, there are now hundreds and probably thousands of books, pamphlets, and articles, which have come forth in the popular press. Meditation is recommended for health, stress management, corporate focus, and spiritual direction. It might be said the hidden meditation teachings of the East are no longer hidden and are fully available in the West.
The quotations below are put forward to emphasize that the practice of meditation has long been a direction found in the theosophical literature. These quotations are mostly from over a century ago yet they are very current in terms of the present literature. There are suggestions of a When to, How to, Where to, and Focus to meditation. It will be found that some of the suggestions below are very much in the literature of the day. And, to some extent, there are some suggestions, which hint of even greater depth. The quotations are mostly taken from William Q. Judge’s Letters That Have Helped Me and Robert Crosbie’s Friendly Philosopher. There are quotations from Theosophy Magazine and Five Years of Theosophy. In addition, there is a brief statement from the Dalai Lama.
Two paradoxes may be seen from some of the statements. One is the implication that a teacher may be needed to assist in meditation practice yet there does not appear to be a teacher available - at least, in the theosophical tradition. The second is, there are hints given of benefits associated with meditation on the “higher centers.” But, there are also warnings given not to meditate on the higher centers. Both of these might be answered with the following. There are given significant steps in the beginning practice of meditation. Once one begins to master some of the consistent practice and gains a degree of control over the mind, this may attract and lead to the kind of help needed to pursue deeper levels. This may apply, as well, to meditation on the higher centers.
>From The Literature: Meditation Defined: The 'known' is the phenomenal world, cognizable by our five senses. And all that we see in this manifested world are the effects, the causes of which are to be sought after in the noumenal, the unmanifested, the 'unknown world:' this is to be accomplished by meditation, i.e., continued attention to the subject. Occultism does not depend upon one method, but employs both the deductive and inductive. … then comes the next stage of meditation which is “the inexpressible yearning of the inner man to ‘go out towards the infinite’.” 1 
"Meditation is the inexpressible yearning of the inner Man to "go out towards the infinite," which in the olden time was the real meaning of adoration, but which has now no synonym in the European languages, because the thing no longer exists in the West, and its name has been vulgarized to the make-believe shams known as prayer, glorification, and repentance. Through all stages of training the equilibrium of the consciousness - the assurance that all must be right in the Kosmos, and therefore with you a portion of it - must be retained. 2
"Meditation is the bridge, method, or vehicle by means of which the student consciously and at will passes into a chosen state or condition, there sees and acts consciously and at will, and at will consciously returns. Meditation is never from below upwards, nor from without inwards. It begins and ends with the operation of the Spiritual Will, of which Meditation is an instrument." 3
What Method Should I Use? “In my own case, if the car is delayed, I am also irritated. But for more serious things, perhaps I have more patience and calm. Of course, the training of mind - or religious belief, and certainly in my case, as a Buddhist - is one method….Training involves not just one single method but many methods; it's like building a huge airplane. It takes so many pieces that all have to fit together to make it work. In the same way the transformation of our minds - or setting the right kind of attitude - takes time.” 4
When to Meditate: "By setting apart a particular time for meditation a habit is formed, and, as the time comes round, the mind will, after a while become trained, so that meditation at the particular time will become natural. Hence, it will be well for you to keep to the same hour as far as possible." 5

The article is at the website of  the ULT in San Diego, CA. 
You can read all of it clicking at  

http://www.theosophysandiego.org/Articles/meditation.htm

Best regards,  Carlos. 


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