Significance of Practice of meditation
The practice of meditation is a central theme across various spiritual traditions, each emphasizing its significance in achieving mindfulness, awareness, and spiritual insight. In Buddhism, it involves developing awareness of Dhamma and the mind, while Jainism promotes mental clarity and understanding of existence's transient nature. Tibetan Buddhism views meditation as a means to cultivate deeper insights into the self and attain enlightenment. Similarly, practices in Yoga, Vedanta, and Mahayana reinforce the importance of meditation for spiritual growth, clarity, and connection with higher realities.
Synonyms: Meditation practice, Mindfulness meditation, Contemplative practice, Meditative exercise, Reflective meditation, Awareness practice, Mindfulness, Contemplation, Introspection, Reflection, Concentration, Self-examination, Rumination, Thoughtfulness
In Dutch: Praktijk van meditatie; In Finnish: Meditaation harjoitus; In Spanish: Pr谩ctica de meditaci贸n; In German: Praxis der Meditation; In Malay: Amalan meditasi; In Swedish: 脰vning av meditation; In Dutch: Beoefening van meditatie; In Spanish: Pr谩ctica de la meditaci贸n; In French: Pratique de la m茅ditation; In Finnish: Meditaation harjoittelu
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Practice of meditation'
The Practice of meditation in Buddhism involves focused contemplation to cultivate virtue, achieve awareness, and gain insights into impermanence. It is essential for spiritual growth and enlightenment, emphasizing mindfulness, discipline, and self-reflection for practitioners.
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) A disciplined effort to focus and quiet the mind, which the monk pursued diligently in the forest.[1] (2) An exercise taught by monks to Matikamata, focusing on the thirty-two constituents of the body to gain awareness of decay and dissolution.[2] (3) a disciplined method to focus the mind, often leading to deeper understanding and states of consciousness[3] (4) The discipline of focusing the mind and achieving mental clarity and insight, which the discontented monk abandons.[4] (5) The regular and dedicated engagement in meditation as a means of achieving mental clarity and spiritual growth.[5]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Engaging in mental training and mindfulness, contributing to the deities' merit and future bliss.[6] (2) The discipline that Anuruddha learned from Sariputta and subsequently practiced in the bamboo grove.[7]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) The discipline of observing the mind and achieving higher states of consciousness, which can also be a habitual kamma.[8]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) The techniques and routines followed in meditation aimed at achieving calmness and insight.[9]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) The method through which practitioners, such as the disciples mentioned, seek enlightenment and realization.[10] (2) A fundamental aspect of the spiritual paths portrayed in the text, emphasizing the importance of inner reflection and discipline.[11] (3) An essential discipline undertaken by the characters in their spiritual journey, highlighting its importance for achieving enlightenment.[12] (4) The central activity of Zhang Rinpoche's spiritual path which focused on achieving deeper insight and enlightenment.[13] (5) A central theme in rma's journey, where he engaged in meditation to deepen his faith and understanding.[14]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) A method through which Brahma and other deities could potentially acquire pure knowledge, indicative of their superior status.[15] (2) A discipline aimed at cultivating the mind and achieving a state of awareness and tranquility, which leads to insights about the self.[16] (3) The disciplined process of focused thought and reflection aimed at achieving spiritual insight and emotional balance.[17] (4) The act of engaging in meditation, aimed at achieving deeper understanding and awareness of the self.[18]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The cultivation of mindfulness and concentration as integral parts of developing bodhicitta and achieving enlightenment.[19] (2) A treatise specifically aimed at practitioners of meditation, providing guidance on meditative practices.[20] (3) A disciplined mental exercise that involves calming the mind and focusing on the nature of reality to cultivate awareness and insight.[21] (4) The state of deep focus and avoidance of distractions that students engage in while listening to teachings.[22] (5) The act of engaging in focused contemplation to cultivate a virtuous mind.[23]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) caryabhavana, the engagement in meditative practices that assist in spiritual development and realization in the bodhisattva path.[24] (2) The ongoing effort to cultivate mindfulness and concentration, seen as essential for spiritual advancement.[25]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) This is the act of training the mind to focus and calm, which is essential for cultivating insight and realizing the true nature of reality, according to the text.[26]
From: Bodhinyana
(1) The act of developing mindfulness and awareness through meditation to understand the nature of Dhamma and the mind itself.[27] (2) The primary focus of the monks' lives, emphasizing self-reflection and spiritual discipline.[28]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The dedicated process of engaging in meditation to develop the mind and attain higher states of consciousness.[29]
Hindu concept of 'Practice of meditation'
The practice of meditation in Hinduism involves techniques for focusing the mind on symbols, deities, and Brahman, fostering mindfulness, spiritual insight, and self-understanding, ultimately facilitating a connection with the divine and achieving samadhi.
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The various forms of upasana or meditation that are essential for spiritual progress.[30] (2) A method or discipline aimed at focusing the mind and enhancing awareness, as explained in the context of using imagery of the body.[31] (3) The act of engaging in meditation focused on Brahman, which is argued to be a means to attain Brahman, though deemed unnecessary by those who have already attained knowledge of Brahman.[32] (4) The ongoing discipline or exercise of meditative techniques, which is claimed to be unhelpful in attaining Brahman-knowledge.[33] (5) The method of focusing the mind to achieve mental stillness and insight.[34]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Spiritual practice aimed at achieving knowledge and understanding of the Self and the highest reality.[35] (2) The spiritual discipline of focusing the mind and spirit to connect with Brahman and the Self.[36] (3) The repeated and devout engagement in meditation, which leads to insights about Brahman's attributes.[37]
From: Mundaka Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) The text discusses the necessity of meditation, indicating that concentration on Brahman is essential for spiritual realization.[38]
From: Ishavasya Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary
(1) The act of focusing on spiritual exercises associated with understanding deities and the divine.[39]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Meditation techniques that focus the mind on specific symbols, sounds, or visualizations that aid in the deepening of spiritual awareness and insight.[40]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja鈥檚 Rajamartanda)
(1) Engaging in focused mental contemplation, which is necessary for attaining deeper states of awareness.[41] (2) The method advocated in the philosophy for achieving the knowledge necessary to attain avoidance and isolation.[42]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The act of engaging in meditation, focusing thoughts and mental effort on a specific object to achieve clarity and understanding.[43]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The dedicated and disciplined effort to achieve clarity of mind and deeper understanding, pivotal for recognizing the essence of the Highest Purusha.[44] (2) A disciplined approach to cultivate mindfulness and understanding of the self in relation to actions and their consequences, leading to spiritual realization.[45]
Jain concept of 'Practice of meditation'
The Practice of meditation in Jainism emphasizes mental discipline and focus, fostering clarity and insights into existence's transient nature, ultimately guiding practitioners towards deeper understanding and enlightenment.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Encouraged as a means to attain clarity and insight into the nature of existence, particularly the understanding of transience.[46]
The concept of Practice of meditation in local and regional sources
The Practice of meditation involves consistently focusing the mind, fostering mental concentration and calmness, and guiding individuals toward truth through three stages, enhancing the connection between the soul and self-awareness.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This brings the individual nearer to truth than anything else, allowing the soul to stand upon itself, and it involves three stages, starting with concentrating the mind on an object.[47] (2) This refers to the consistent effort of focusing the mind on an object, which eventually leads to mental concentration and calmness.[48]