MYSTICISM AND MEDITATION

THE GOLDEN FLOWER MEDITATION – MEDITATION OF THE MYSTIC

EXPERIENCE OF GOD

Talking about mysticism is the attempt to name the unspeakable.

The term mysticism (Greek mystikós, ‚mysteriously‘) refers to reports and statements on the experience of a divine or absolute reality and efforts to such an experience. The mystical experience is global and universal. The attempt to describe the experience makes clear the limits of language and shows like no other topics the human struggle to describe the indescribable.

In theistic religions, mystical experience is related to God. Streams of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism recognize shared mystical experiences as an experience of God. Non-theistic traditions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Taoism put mystical experiences related to an ultimate reality without reference to a divine entity.

In everyday language as well as in popular literature mysticism is often subject in relation to religious or spiritual experiences, which do not seem objectively accessible. Despite all the uncertainties we can specify characteristics that are usually considered typical. Also for several people is indisputable that these are widely regarded as a mystic.

MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION

Contemplation (from Latin contemplari; ‚watch, regard‘) generally means tranquillity or inner view (internalized consideration). Contemplation is also known as a mystic way of Western tradition. In general, through a contemplative life or action, a particular feeling or a state of consciousness-expansion is sought. A contemplative attitude is determined by calm and gentle attention. The deponent form of the Latin verb contemplari (probably originally; ‚covered by divine powers‘) indicates inspiration and contemplation-like experiences while eliminating all wanting out.

The Roman Augurs (priests/officials) indicated and interpreted in a certain pre-defined rectangular area of nature, the templum (observation area), the flight of birds in the sky, and thus predicted the future. Similarly, on earth a certain sacred area was staked out on the ground that was consecrated only the Godhead, also called templum. Contemplari meant to contemplate across the celestial and the terrestrial areas, about the two templa, and their inner connections.

In the spiritual realm of Christianity, seekers must faithfully maintain prayer and contemplation. Here, the collection up to God and the calming of the soul stays in the foreground. The orientation never goes into the void or resolution, but the own self (I) remains, even if the view is completely centred on God, and the nearby presence of God reflected. Faithful to this prayer practice the seeker may not want to force anything. God alone is the one who gives the timing and intensity of the encounter with him. So it’s about a struggle and effort of the seeker on the one hand, but a knowledge of the sovereignty of God and the initiative on the other. (Note: The whole site contains quotations from Wikipedia)

If the seeker has reached in contemplation the state of no thoughts and lack of words,
he is in a state of meditation, described by the mystics as intuition or ecstasy. 

This mystic experience level connects the search for God globally and across religions
with reality research by the unconditional search for truth.

THEREFORE WHY MEDITATION?

Meditation saves our civilization

Mysticism is not spiritual wellness, but resistance, resistance against our own egoism. The mystical tradition reveals ways to overthrow the ego and to become free in an existential way. When we connect in meditation with our original, thought-free consciousness, self-dependency dissipates and the unadulterated truth is revealed. Whoever let go of the ego, loses fear and gains the courage to live. This creates conditions for a «lifestyle not based on robbery and rape», in the view of climate change, the mirror of our predatory behaviour, this has become a necessity for the future of mankind.

Mysticism is the connecting line of the ideas of Lao Tse to Master Eckhart and Goethe.

Important general aspects of all mystical traditions are „letting go“, „self-emptiness“ or „death“ of the seeker. You have at least for a short time to give up intellect and reason, including all thoughts, ideas, and all knowledge, as well as all of your goals and your will. Any self-centeredness must be wiped sincerely. At the same time, a selfless mindfulness in conjunction with a strict maintenance of staying in the presence of the moment is needed. This advice we can find in the Taoism of China and in the Gnostic Christianity in the West. (See ‚meditation and yoga‘ below.) 

Mystical experiences cannot be enforced but through meditation, prayer, asceticism, extreme physical exercises, meditation and other practical methods, can prepare the ground for such intervention. Various consciousness expanding (psychedelic) drugs such as psilocybin, LSD or mescaline, cause mystical experiences. But they do not endure. Meditation can be clearly defined as the safest and best-proven method for permanent enlightenment. 

What we understand today in the West by meditation, has less to do with the search of God than with Wellness. As a merchandising Factor, the aspect of relaxation and stress reduction has been very successful. Teachers of a deeper meditation method have Teachers of a deeper meditation method have difficulties finding more customers, because who seeks God today?

This trend is simplified and supported by the fact that the Buddhist and Taoist texts speak of any personal experience of God. Nevertheless, even in these traditions, the divine is embraced in the affirmative as the principle and ultimate reality, without talking about it, it is like in other religions simply understood as indescribable.

MEDITATION AND YOGA

Hindu doctrine according to which everyday perception is addressed to many things, but the mystical experience is the experience of unity. The Divine One is present in everything, but not simply experienced. It requires experience, to change perception. These concentration techniques of yoga, meditation and asceticism serve as abstention and renunciation. Asceticism leads to freedom from worldly needs. This can restrict eating and drinking, sex and power. Also, these statements are consistent with the descriptions of the Christian mystics.

QUANTUM PHYSICS AND MEDITATION

If quantum physics tells us that there is no matter as we know it usually, so maybe it’s time to make this vision also with appropriate means to our own. The easiest exercise that causes that we really attain this point of view, is meditation. Here begins the dialogue between quantum physics and mysticism. Recommended reading:
„Spirit, cosmos and physics“ Thoughts on the unity of life / „There is no matter“ by Hans Peter Duerr

MEDITATION AS A WAY TO THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD

The awareness of the universal agreement of all spiritual endeavours helps us to oblige all religions to commit them to their peace mission so that they exemplify the fact that all human beings are brothers and sisters.

„Meditation leads to mysticism as a lived spirituality“ 

I would like to help this solidarity with my websites and my Study Program, »Consciousness and Meditation«.

With kind regards
Peter Todesco
School of Meditation
contact
immortality.eu

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