Abstract This paper explains that meditation, which is recognized as an element of Eastern religions, originating in Vedic Hinduism, often is formalized into a specific routine including the practice of focusing the mind on a single object, such as a religious statue, one's breath or a mantra and a mental "opening up" to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power or reasoned analysis of religious teachings, such as impermanence for Buddhists. The author points out that its psychiatric use is to gain awareness of the unconscious feelings, motives and values so that they can be deal with effectively. The paper relates that, as a method of stress reduction, meditation often is used in hospitals in cases of chronic or terminal illness to reduce complications associated with increased stress, including a depressed immune system.
From the Paper "Meditation may have many effects on person. Person may experience greater faith in, or understanding of, one's religion or beliefs, an increase in patience, compassion, and other virtues and morals or the understanding of them, feelings of calm or peace, and/or moments of great joy, consciousness of sin, temptation, and remorse, and a spirit of contrition, sensitivity to certain forms of lighting, such as fluorescent lights or computer screens, and sometimes heightened sense-perception, surfacing of buried memories, possibly including memories of previous lives and those of others, or that of those to come, experience of spiritual phenomena such as kundalini, extra-sensory perception, or visions of deities, saints, demons, and miraculous abilities such as levitation (cf. yogic flying)."
Abstract This paper offers an analysis of Jesuit Anthony deMello's book, "Sadhana". The writer shows how this book discusses Sadhana meditation while encompassing Eastern and Western prayer techniques. The writer describes and discusses deMello's use of exercises based on Sadhana meditation.
From the Paper "Dych reports that Indian priest Father Anthony de Mello was a Jesuit spiritual director and retreat leader who held workshops conferences and seminars all over the world. His writings are said to have a mystical thread and yet his methods are simple and concrete, consisting of easily doable exercises that silence the mind and allow the yearnings of the spirit to surface. The purpose of this paper is to describe and discuss de Mello's use of Sadhana meditation."
Abstract This paper discusses the essence of meditation practices, the particular forms in which God is revealed through meditation and how meditation leads to the discovery of the God within. The author points out the differences and similarities of meditation in various spiritual traditions especially Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism. The paper reports that, although meditation is an ancient practice, tracing more than 2000 years ago, many forms of meditation still exist today.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Phases of Meditation, Attention, Concentration, Contemplation
Forms of Meditation Mysticism and Meditation. Finding God Within.
Tibetan Buddhist Meditation and Transcendental Meditation The Differences between Yoga and Christianity
Finding God Within:
From Dream Sleep to Awakening
From Illusion to Realization
From Darkness to Enlightenment
From Imprisonment to Liberation
From Fragmentation to Wholeness
From Separation to Oneness
From Being on a Journey To Arriving at the Destination
From Being in Exile To Coming Home
From Seed to Flowering Plant or Fruitful Tree
From Death to Rebirth
Conclusions
From the Paper "The yogi are also characterized by their adherence to a strict code of moral behavior and by their practicing of a set of physical exercises called asanas and breath control methods called pranayama. O distinct type of yoga is kundalini, focused on unlocking the reserve of spiritual energy that is thought to reside at the base of the spine. The released energy reverberates in the seven chakras or bodily centers which capture emotions and mental states. The energy, kundalini, has to be moved from the lower chakras - dominated by inferior emotions to more elevated chakras, located ..."
Abstract In Meditation One of his "Meditations on First Philosophy", Rene Descartes introduces his "evil Demon" as a device in his logical proof for the coherence of his intellect and thereby the basis of his argument to extend his famous deduction of individual existence - "I think therefore I am" - beyond the boundaries of individual consciousness. However, the "evil Demon" scenario undermines Descartes' argument as the Meditations progress in that it represents a challenge to his argument for the existence of God and thereby for the assertion of the certainty of sensory apprehension in Meditation Six. Thus, it will be argued that although the device of the "evil Demon" functions effectively in the assertion of radical doubt, it also undermines Descartes' argument in the rest of his text.
Abstract Meditation is an element of every major spiritual tradition in the world. Recently, it has come in for increased attention in North America. Meditation is mental exercise of techniques of concentration, contemplation and abstraction, regarded as conducive to heightened spiritual awareness or somatic calm. This papers outlines contemporary types of meditation and the somatic and psychological benefits of meditation.
Abstract In this present day lifestyle of violence, modern industry, and 'reality-shows' on television, many feel that something is missing in the curriculum of our educational institutions. That something, according to a great many thinkers from various traditions and roles in society, might well be meditation. This paper explains that meditation has been used by both Eastern and Western religions, although it is not a religion, but rather a psychological means for contacting one's inner self or spirituality, and making peace. The paper questions whether meditation has a place in schools and whether it can it change things for the better for both students and teachers. It also questions how resistant teachers and students are to trying this method of achieving a more peaceful, workable learning environment. The paper includes a literature review on the subject, showing that many researchers have concluded a number of positive effects are possible with meditation. It shows that some have approached it from a psychological standpoint and others from a more spiritual one. Others have investigated where it fits into the paradigms teachers use to convey information and teach cognitive skills, and still others have investigated its effect on various populations of students.
From the Paper "Murgatroyd notes that both Buddhism and counseling begin with knowing the nature of one's own mind before helping others; just so, teachers should understand the value of a quiet mind for learning before asking their students to meditate and to ?live in the present,? which is, after all, the only time one has. In short, meditation"if it does nothing else for a student"can temporarily give respite from the "chatter" about tests and achievement and athletics and interpersonal relationships, etc. Murgatroyd points out that it can be as simple as being ?mindful,? or the age-old prescription to think before you act. It can also be more in-depth, developing insight and getting rid of ?attachment.?"
Abstract This paper explores meditation, as practiced in the Buddhist tradition, to calm the mind and the body. The paper provides extensive detail about how one meets the physical requirements of meditation, which are simply sitting in an upright position and focusing on one's breathing. The paper also studies the more spiritual aspects of meditation, including the mind-body connection and moral stipulations for those who practice it. The paper concludes with research about the many benefits of well-being that come with meditation.
From the Paper "The first step in meditation is to control the body using a series of techniques that allow for the comfort and stillness of the body. First, the full lotus position is preferred because it allows the back to be kept straight. In this position, the feet rest on top of the thighs. (In the half-lotus position, the feet rest closer to the knees.) [12] Second, the hands should rest comfortably on the ankles or the lap, "with the back of one hand resting on the palm of the other." This dharma-dhatu mudra position is "very good for the circulation of energies within the system." [13]"
Abstract In an effort to determine whether it is harmful or beneficial to someone who practices transcendental meditation, this paper presents an evaluation of both the favorable and unfavorable views of the practice. In particular, the paper looks at the history of transcendental meditation, describes its approach to intelligence, explains how one learns transcendental meditation and discusses the supposed benefits and criticisms of this form of meditation.
From the Paper "Transcendental Meditaion is learned from an instructor and beginners may want to practice meditating on their own with the help of one of Mahashi's many books or video tapes. Instructors can be located and all Mahashi's literature can be bought on the official Transcendental Meditation website. The movement has phone numbers listed in most cities in the United States. The Mahashi Universities and their extensions at centers have libraries of literature for further study. Transcendental Meditation is open to everyone from every background and encourages using their techniques to enhance one's own religion."
An analysis and critique of the first argument Descartes presents to prove God's existence in the Third Meditation of his "Meditations on First Philosophy".
2,415 words (approx. 9.7 pages), 0 sources, 2002, $ 73.95
Abstract This paper critically analyzes Descartes attempt at proving God exists in the Third Meditation of his "Meditations on First Philosophy". After thoroughly explaining how the argument unfolds in the original text, the writer offers two lines of objections that undercut his proof which focus on his claim that he has a "clear and distinct" idea of God and the relationship Descartes claims exists between the objective reality of an idea and the formal reality of the thing represented by that idea. (It also clearly defines all of these terms.)
From the Paper "In the Third Meditation of his Meditations on First Philosophy, Rene Descartes presents his first proof of God's existence by characterizing the nature of ideas, examining the relationship between causes and effects, and defining the relationships between ideas and the things or concepts they represent. He then applies these results to the clear and distinct idea of God he claims to have. Descartes systematically defines each of these components to build the premises for his argument in such a way that the conclusion that God exists immediately and obviously follows. As such, if one is going to deny that Descartes has irrefutably proved God's existence, one must find fault in at least one of these premises. This will be the strategy that I will employ in this paper. After laying out the premises of Descartes' first proof of God's existence and the justification he employs for each one, I will argue that his argument ultimately fails because he does not sufficient justify two of the most important premises. First, I will argue that he does not - and perhaps cannot - sufficiently prove that he really has a "clear and distinct" idea of a perfect God. Second, I will argue that he does not properly justify his claim that there is a direct relationship between the objective reality of an idea and the formal reality of the thing that causes the idea."
Abstract If meditation is interpreted as contemplation and the seeking of emotional quietude, the study of architecture should feature some attention to spaces that can be hoped to promote meditation, as meditation is sometimes part of the architect's own creative process. In the post-World War II era, the profession has been increasingly called upon to contribute to planning in buildings which comply with often highly conceptualized designs towards thematic transformations of whole areas.
Abstract A paper examing the art of Zen meditation and how it is different from other kinds of meditation. Meditation as a mental health practice as well as an art.
Abstract This three-page undergraduate paper discusses the reason behind Descartes' examination of his ideas in Meditation Three in Meditation on First Philosophy and what he learns from it.
Abstract This paper examines how, in his "Meditations", Marcus Aurelius seeks to make sense of the conflicting needs of being the sovereign of the Roman Empire and his own personal philosophy of Stoicism. The paper looks at how, although Marcus Aurelius glosses over important failings such as his treatment of Christians and the circumstances of his rise to power, the "Meditations" has much to offer. The paper also shows how, by providing an ethical foothold, Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" continues to resonate more than 2,000 years after its initial inception.
From the Paper "For example, Marcus Aurelius believed that ideas about good and evil are not immutable. Rather, they are the products of human judgments, composites created by a person's preconceptions and mental habits. It remains up to a person whether or not to accept these impressions as true. Marcus maintained that a person has to "examine everything all through, what is its material, what the formal part" (Marcus Aurelius, Mediations, 12, 29). Therefore, it is imperative that people rigorously examine their impressions, making sure they are not swayed by unwarranted value judgments."
Abstract Many authorities on how to live today might be content to merely state that there are a number of advantages to one approach over another. However, according to "Meditation: The Path to Enlightenment," simply stating that there are "many virtues" is insufficient and the work proceeds to list the 28 benefits to be gained from secluded meditation. This paper provides a personal response to "Meditation: The Path to Enlightenment," followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.
From the Paper ""Secluded meditation has many virtues." The concise epigraph above contains the essence of this essay, and it turns out that there are precisely 28 advantages to be gained from secluded meditation. It is for these reasons that all of the Tathagatas [from the Sanskrit: "Thus gone one"; those who have attained Buddhahood] continued to practice meditation even after reaching a state of nirvana. "All the Tathagatas have won their all-knowledge in a state of secluded meditation, and, even after their enlightenment, they have continued to cultivate meditation in the recollection of the benefits it brought to them in the past" (649). For many Western observers who might not appreciate the profound differences embraced by this approach to life, meditation according to these precepts appears to represent a completely different avenue to self-awareness and insight."
