(NOTE:
This excerpt refers to the three foundations for developing a meditation practice, but the
basic principles apply to any form of inner development.)
Classically, teachings on
meditation are found within a larger body of spiritual teachings that span all of the
dimensions of our lives. The primary foundation of meditation practice is universally
rooted in developing harmonious relationships with the world around us. When we are out of
harmony with our world and with those who share it, that disharmony is reflected within us
as tension, distraction, confusion, frustration, anger, or enmity. When the mind is
dominated by these disturbing "mental poisons," and the body is flooded with
their toxic biochemical analogues, it is very difficult to find the inner balance
necessary to engage in any fruitful mind training.
1.
Right Relations
If you are really intent upon
developing yourself, your first step is to begin to make peace and find harmony in
relationship to your world. The practice of ethics, morality, and "right
relations" not only benefits other but, in the long run, also helps us create the
causes for inner peace and wholeness that we long for. The stronger this first foundation,
the more profound and fruitful will be our practice.
Thich Nhat Hanh, the Vietnamese sage and peacemaker whose example
inspired Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., has reminded us often that the world is both
wonderful and terrible. There is considerable injustice and tragic suffering. Making peace
with the world is not to look away from these heartbreaking circumstances, but to have the
courage to witness suffering with compassion and understanding. Only then will we have the
insight necessary to respond with wisdom and effectiveness.
2.
Relaxation
Though living in accord with the
Golden Rule is enough to transform our lives, a second foundation is necessary to really
establish a meditation practice. As outer turbulence subsides, we are left to the
inner work of reducing the turbulence within ourselves. Taking the first step, we
focus within our body and begin to recognize the ways we armor ourselves with unnecessary
tension. Then, applying the principles of kindness and merciful compassion to ourselves,
we learn ways to relax and to release the unnecessary tension we carry in our body.
Looking ever more deeply, we find that physical tension is tied to the inner tension and
turmoil of our mind-emotions. So, as you see, the practice of kindness and compassion
– inner and outer – is the true ground of meditation.
3. Mastery of Attention
As we learn to open blocked energy, release tension, and come to
rest more at ease in our body, we are better able to engage in the inner
work of enhancing the power of our mindful attention. This
opens the next doorway to meditation: the mastery of attention. Developing
concentration transforms mental dullness into mental stability, distraction into vivid
mental clarity. Along the way we also develop the strength of our mindfulness and
vigilance – so necessary to keeping our meditation focused and on track. As a result
of this inner transformational work, we are able to bring a calm intensity to whatever we
do, and this powerful peace of mind can then be carried into our lives, relationships, and
any other meditation practices we may engage in.
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These three foundations
– "right relations," relaxation, and mastery of attention –
create outer and inner harmony and a focused presence of mind. Together they support the
awakening of wisdom and compassion—the real goal of our practice.
A profound insight arises: we see that when our body is at ease in its
natural state and our mind isn’t being unnecessarily churned, the mind is calm,
peaceful and vividly clear. And when the mind is peaceful, present, and undisturbed, the
world we behold is one of wholeness. We understand that the natural state of our
relationships is that of deep interdependence, completely empty of isolation and
separateness.
As Margaret Wheatly, author of Leadership and the New Science,
reminds us, "When we seek for connection we restore the world to wholeness. Our
seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to
each other."
As our understanding of all these factors deepens, we discover the
true spiritual maturity that results from taming the mind’s fixations and eliminating
such basic malaise as selfishness, greed, and hatred. We experience deepening insight into
the nature of reality and the awakening of a growing concern to the well-being of others.
Mental or meditative powers are honestly of little value if they don’t help us
accomplish these results.
