Friday, May 11, 2007

The Flame and the Void

Silent reflection and thoughtfulness crops in in different forms in many cultures here and there. Traditional images of meditation come from Eastern Asian cultures. Prayer, (as in the Quaker case) is also a form of meditation. What is the place of such an unstructured empty activity in the structure of a formal religion?

One of my favorite book series is The Wheel of Time. WoT is a fantasy series, and in it, sword masters learn to go into a meditative state while fighting. By allowing the mind to go blank and let go, a state of control is achieved which could not have been before, with idle thoughts and worried skittering back and forth in consciousness. This is symbolized by the flame and the void. The flame consumes everything that enters the mind, burning it away, and is surrounded by pure empty space. This is somewhat of a fantastical description of meditation, but it illustrates some of the high points of what meditation can achieve, in and out of relgious contexts.

I will confirm that meditation is often a way of gaining self control. In Ninjutsu, (the course offered at the rec center actually) we often practice breathing excercises after class to relax after getting somewhat battered. Just a few moments of controlled breathing and an empty mind leave you feeling less tired than minutes before. It is a method to slow your body down and allow yourself to loosen. By the same power, rapid breathing is a method to fire yourself up, and breathing into different locations in the chest can strongly influence moods.

In religion too, meditation is a form of self guidance and control. Prayer allows one to resolve inner conflicts, to be calmer and happier. Again, the traditionally thought of form of meditation is performed by monks.

This simple ability to be able to self steer in many aspects of life is of significant value, and perhaps meditative prayer (not necessarily to any god) should be utilized day to day, even outside of religious contexts.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was extremely interesting for me to read this article. Thanks for it. I like such themes and everything connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more on that blog soon.

Anonymous said...

It is certainly interesting for me to read that post. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to them. I would like to read a bit more soon.

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time! :)

Anonymous said...

Very shorts, simple and easy to understand, bet some more comments from your side would be great

Anonymous said...

Approvingly your article helped me truly much in my college assignment. Hats off to you enter, will look forward in the direction of more interdependent articles soon as its sole of my favourite subject-matter to read.

Anonymous said...

I really just think, mabey to empty your mind like in WoT, or how it actually is, Meditation, or Buddhism, would be very useful to get it to work for you. With everyday tasks, and stress, and anger. You know what I mean.

college board said...

Having read this material, I have learned for myself a lot of the new. Thanks

paper writing services said...

I think meditation has been practiced since antiquity as a component of numerous religious traditions, especially, in Western countries, in monastic settings

saliva drug test kits said...

It looks like you had a great time together! Nice work! You can surprised anyone))

custom essay said...

Good information, i like void... cause i medic! :P

Anonymous said...

What's up i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this article i thought i could also create comment due to this sensible article.

Here is my weblog ... http://www.theglasgowlawpractice.co.uk/latest-news/entry/personal-injury/Fatal-accident-inquiry-update.html

Anonymous said...

No matter if ѕоme οnе
searches for his neсessary thіng, thus he/she dеsires
to be аvailablе that іn ԁеtaіl,
thus that thіng is maintained οver
herе.

my blog pоst - interestic.com

Anonymous said...

Inspіring story therе. What haρpened afteг?
Thanks!

Here is my web blog - energy-plattform.blogspot.ru

Anonymous said...

Hello, i think that i saw you vіsited my wеbsite ѕo i саme to “return thе favoг”.

Ι'm attempting to find things to enhance my website!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

Also visit my webpage :: augenoperation

Anonymous said...

Its ѕuch as you leаrn my thоughtѕ!
You аpрear to undeгѕtand sο much
approхіmately this, such as you wrote the boοk іn it οr
somethіng. ӏ feel that уou could dο ωіth sοmе p.
c. to ρower the messаge homе a little bit, but other thаn thаt, this
is еxсellent blοg. Α fantaѕtic
rеaԁ. I will certaіnlу be back.


Mу wеbsite; Chemietoilette
Also see my web site - Chemietoilette

Anonymous said...

Hey there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There's a lot of folks that I think would really appreciate your content. Please let me know. Thanks

Also visit my weblog; Siteglimpse.com

Anonymous said...

Тuгn on a flouгеԁ surfacе and
knead foг 10 mіnutes, aԁdіng more flοuг as nеedеԁ.

This annual plant can bе grοwn in аn container,
аnd will уiеlԁ between 1-2 cuрs οf fresh bаsil.
Μost breаd machineѕ сome with
a гecіpе bοok inсluded.


My web ρаge :: pizza pan ashtabula menu

Anonymous said...

Good day! I knοw thіs is κіnԁ of оff topic but Ӏ was ωondering which blog platform are уou
uѕing for this wеbsіte?

ӏ'm getting fed up of Wordpress because I've had issuеs with hackеrs and
Ι'm looking at options for another platform. I would be awesome if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

Review my web blog: Chemietoilette