Meditation

The nature of the faculty of

meditation

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Hinduism c. 3000 BC
When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like
the flame of a lamp in a windless place. In the still mind,
in the depths of meditation, the eternal self reveals itself.
Beholding the Self by means of the Self, an aspirant knows
the joy and peace of complete fulfillment. Having
attained that abiding joy beyond the senses, revealed in
the stilled mind, he never swerves from the central truth.
He desires nothing else, and cannot be shaken by the
heaviest burden of sorrow. The practice of meditation
frees one from all affliction. This is the path of yoga…
Wherever the mind wanders, restless and diffuse in
its search for satisfaction without, lead it within; train it to
rest in the Self. Abiding joy comes to those who still the
mind. Freeing themselves from the taint of self-will, with
their consciousness unified, they become one with God.
– Bhagavad Gita 6.18-27
Meditation is greater than thought. The earth seems to
meditate; atmosphere and sky seem to meditate; the
waters and the mountains seem to meditate, as do gods
and men. That is why whenever men achieve greatness on
earth, they may be said to have received their [due]
portion of the fruits of meditation. So, while small men
are quarrelsome, slanderous gossips, the great may be
said to have received their [due] portion of the fruit of
meditation. Revere meditation.
– Chandogya Upanishad 7:6
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal
nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch
with God.
This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the
sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty
inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are
carried out; through it governments can run smoothly.
Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom of
God.
Nevertheless some thoughts are useless to man; they
are like waves moving in the sea without result. But if the
faculty of meditation is bathed in the inner light and
characterised with divine attributes, the results will be
confirmed.
The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put it
before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore if the
spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he will be
informed of these.
But if you turn the mirror of your spirits heavenwards,
the heavenly constellations and the rays of the Sun of
Reality will be reflected in your hearts, and the virtues of
the Kingdom will be obtained.
Therefore let us keep this faculty rightly directed –
turning it to the heavenly Sun and not to earthly objects –
so that we may discover the secrets of the Kingdom, and
comprehend the allegories of the Bible and the mysteries
of the spirit.
May we indeed become mirrors reflecting the heavenly
realities, and may we become so pure as to reflect the
stars of heaven.
– `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 174
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD Judaism c. 1500 BC

Bahá'u'lláh says there is a sign (from God) in every When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be
phenomenon: the sign of the intellect is contemplation silent.
and the sign of contemplation is silence, because it is
impossible for a man to do two things at one time – he – Psalm 4.4
cannot both speak and meditate.
It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are
speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you
put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit answers: Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it
the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed. day and night so you will be sure to obey everything
You cannot apply the name 'man' to any being void of written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all
this faculty of meditation; without it he would be a mere you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous!
animal, lower than the beasts. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is
Through the faculty of meditation man attains to with you wherever you go.
eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy
Spirit – the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and – Joshua 1:8-9
meditation.
The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened
during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew
nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he
receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives
heavenly food.
Meditation is the key for opening the doors of
mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that
state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in
that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of
spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-
themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed
with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being
used the outward power of vision does not see.

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Buddhism c. 400 BC The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD

Meditate, bhikkhu, don't be careless, don't let your mind
take pleasure in the senses. Don't have to swallow the
iron ball for being careless. Don't have to cry out, "This is
terrible" as you burn.
There is no meditation without wisdom, and there is no
wisdom without meditation. When a man has both
meditation and wisdom, he is indeed close to Nirvana.
When he has gone off to a lonely building, the bhikkhu
whose mind is at peace experiences a more than human
joy, when he recognises the supreme Truth.
Whenever he meditates on the rise and fall of the
constituent elements of existence, he experiences joy and
rapture. It is immortality for men of discrimination.
Meditate profoundly, that the secret of things unseen
may be revealed unto you, that you may inhale the
sweetness of a spiritual and imperishable fragrance, and
that you may acknowledge the truth that from time
immemorial even unto eternity the Almighty hath tried,
and will continue to try, His servants, so that light may be
distinguished from darkness, truth from falsehood, right
from wrong, guidance from error, happiness from misery,
and roses from thorns.
– Bahá'u'lláh, Kitab-i-Iqan

– Dhammapada
Sayings of the Buddha 1, tr. J. Richards

Though one should live a hundred years, without wisdom

and control, yet better, indeed, is the single day’s line of
one who is moral and meditative.

– Dhammapada, p. 38

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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD Buddhism c. 400 BC

For the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling which Wake up! It is time to wake up!
unites Man with God. This state of spiritual communion You are young, strong – why do you waver,
can be brought about and maintained by means of why are you lazy and irresolute?
meditation and prayer. This is not the way to wisdom.

– Bahá'í Writings Be strict with speech, control your mind,

let not the body do evil.
This is the way to wisdom,
these the three roads leading to it.
The wine of renunciation must needs be quaffed, the lofty
heights of detachment must needs be attained, and the Meditation brings wisdom,
meditation referred to in the words "One hour's reflection lack of meditation is folly,
is preferable to seventy years of pious worship" must these are the two roads,
needs be observed...” one leading forward, one backwards.
Choose the right one,
– Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 238 the one that leads to wisdom.
Not one tree – cut down the whole forest!
There is danger in the forest.
Cut down the forest of desires, O bhikkhus,
and discover the road to liberation.

– Dhammapada, p. 134

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Christianity 1 AD
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
there be any praise, think [meditate] on these things.
– Philippians 4:8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For
he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall
receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is
unstable in all his ways.
– James 1:5-8
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Islam c. 613 AD
A blessed Book have we sent down to thee, that men may
meditate its verses, and that those endued with
understanding may bear it in mind.
– The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 38
In the privacy of the night the worshipers of the Most
Gracious mediate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.
– Qur’an 25.64
And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael,
(saying): Purify My house for those who go around and
those who meditate therein and those who bow down
and prostrate themselves (in worship).
– The Qur'an (Pickthall tr), Sura 2
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