Meditation Method – From “New Research on Current Philosophical System
I received this today from Dr Stewart Bitkoff, enjoy
Meditation Method
After following indications of the theoretical dynamic behind traditionalistic meditation activity, it was when I was studying with Gulbaz Khan of Kalat (Baluchistant) that I came across what might be termed a developed theory of pupil-teacher meditation.
This is attributed to the remotest antiquity; though why it should be claimed that it was practiced by ‘Noah, Joseph, Jesus, Elias and Salman the Persian’ especially, I cannot say. In summary, the theory holds that there is a certain element in the human being which strives toward perfection.
This element (Nafs-i-Haqiqa = the True Being) will attach itself to anything-men, objects, ideas- in the hope of finding some conductor which will bring it to ‘maturity’ (Pukhtagi). When it comes into contact with a correct source of conduction- a teacher, it feeds itself for a time on his knowledge. This is the phase of attachment to a teacher. If the teacher accepts the pupil, he will first of all teach interchange concentration exercises. In these the mutual bond is strengthened.
The next step is for the teacher to induce students to interchange with one another, which they do by meeting regularly and all taking an interest in some common theme. They may think they are learning something from that theme. In fact, they are becoming attuned to one another. Next comes the phase in which pupils are able to spend some time, at will, interchanging with the teacher and with one another. When this stage has been reached, they have attained a form of directing capacity over their spiritual life.
The next form of meditation is when different subjects of meditation are given to each student. Now each has three types of practice. After that comes the succession of meditation. The whole community following signals from the teacher or his deputy (Khalifa) first collect themselves, then meditate upon themselves, then upon the teacher, then upon an object or idea, then upon the private objects or ideas.
In this way, it is believed by the mystics of the Chisti, Qadiri and other schools, the human capacity for connection with superior cognition is practices and brought to fruition.
_______________
The writer, Mir S Khan, is of nomadic extraction. He has made sociological studies of the Berbers and Afghan Kochis and is a member of several Sufi Orders.
From “New Research on Current Philosophical Systems.”
This piece appears in Robert Cecil, Richard Rieu, David Wade, The King’s Son, The Octagon Press for The Institute for Cultural Research, 1981, London, pgs. 152-153.
Alfred North Whitehead wrote, “Familiar things happen and mankind does not bother about them. It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvous.” George Bernard Shaw gave us, “No question is so difficult to answer as that to which the answer is obvious.” Kahlil Gibran said, “The obvious is that which is not seen until someone expresses it.” Hegel gave us these words: Because it’s familiar, a thing remains unknown. A number of other prominent names gave us ideas all too similar to be ignored. This supports a basis to look at things already familiar, obvious and known to us. Applying this to consciousness, we discover that mystical insight, the precursor to the mystical state, occurs when one analyzes things already known to us. Aldous Huxley, much like psychologist Ichheiser offered that most humans have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted. As children we learn that we think. The thinking process becomes “a familiar thing” and we no longer bother thinking about it. We have thoughts, but do not think about our thoughts, as both Goethe and historian Robinson stressed. To become enlightened the Buddha held that we must be in the right frame of mind. Dr. Richard Maurice Bucke, author of Cosmic Consciousness wrote, “In order to receive the “exalted endowment” one must have the right mental attitude. The right mental attitude is developing the curiosity of the “unusual mind.”
With the foundation provided by the brilliant people mentioned above, we can, individually and collectively aspire for that healthy state of mind.
I have been invited to speak at conferences and meetings. Thank you for this opportunity to bring out the fact that with the above as a basis, we now can understand how and why a mystical experience occurs.
EKaravousa@aol.com