Religion and Theology - Essay Example

Lecturer: Religion and Theology Introduction Religious meditation involves prolonged reasoning, reflection and understanding of phenomena about life. By extension, it is a form of prayer which is structured in a way that it helps one in attempting to understand lifer deeper and broader. In Christians and Muslims, one understands God in a broader and more realistic way. This may involve deliberate focus on particular thoughts that reflects on meaning of God. This essay seeks to examine the whole idea of meditation by focusing on where one came from, where to go, plans, expectations and state of mind including inspiration, feelings and experience. In this introduction, the essay answers various questions. To start with, is a question on where one comes from? Through meditation, one is able to deeply give thoughts about the world and where one came from. In this respect, this is a seemingly difficult question that may not give an immediate answer unless one is very rational, cultured and ethical. From religious perspective, this is a simple question given that it is believed that God who is the supreme power above all beings, created the earth and all that is in it. This doctrine teaches that all the worldly creatures came from God. This further explains that one comes from god and the fore father was Adam and the wife was Eve. The second question is about where one wants to go. Having known where one comes from, it is easier to tell where he/she wants to go. This depends entirely on individuals’ interest and goals. For instance, some people are motivated by their parents to become what they want in life. Others are self motivated and they crave to be what they aspire to become. Some are inspired by their own role models such that they crave and copy to be like them. All these factors contribute to what one wants to go. In Christian life, one wants to struggle through the hardships of this world and join Christ Jesus during His second coming. In the third question, it is evident that one must encounter hardships through the journey of faith. These obstacles are the temptations of the world together with worldly inclinations. The temptations revolve around the desire to do evil and against the will of God. For instance, one may be tempted to steal another person’s item in an effort to become rich after the sale of that item. Also, one may be tempted to practice corruption for gain of profit, acquiring a job or to market goods. The plans that one would lay down in an effort to control and surpass these obstacles include laying down strategies to fight temptations. This is effected through self discipline such that one will always have self control. The most effective way to fight these temptations is through obeying the word of God and constantly adhering to it at all times. This would help one to lead an honest life and get guidance through the journey. The help that one would get comes from religious leaders who would act as counselors at time of needs. Also, much help would come from God Himself. This is because after realizing that He is the maker, provider and facilitator, it is easier to understand that all help comes from Him. Furthermore, He is a supreme being and all power comes from Him. If this is the truth then, all the people of the world should rely on God for help. This way one is capable of overcoming all temptations and evils. Meditation During meditation, the state of mind when beginning is should be undisturbed and free of metal turmoil. This enables one to achieve a pristine emotion and achieve happiness that is unconditional this eventually leads to increased cheerfulness. This makes one to understand why he is doing it and it helps one to go through life without making hastened decisions. In Also, in this state, one is able to focus on the past and contemplate the future and avoid making possible mistakes during confusing circumstances. This eventually makes the experience transformative and configurative (Kornfield). The actions and exercises taken during the meditation session include finding a comfortable position which is serene and free of noise. The most recommended exercise during meditation is walking for beginners. It entails strolling in the part, garden or along the road while deeply engrossed in mind and consistently reflecting and contemplating on issues of concern. Similarly, hand motions exercise accompanied by falling and rising up may work well for both the experienced and beginners. The changes realized from previous meditation may include reforms, amendments and revolution of mind from past events. This implies forgetting the past failures and concentrating more on positive changes. The most difficult thing in meditation is lack of time. Most people don’t find time to rest and reflect on their lives. This is because the contemporary society is full of business and people are always busy engaged in various daily activities. The other reason why it becomes difficult to meditate is because most people find it tedious getting involved in exercises such as standing, or sitting for long hours. On the same note, some people have a misguided notion on meditation and they are convinced that it can contribute to mental blankness. Still, some people do not seem to appreciate the importance of meditation. The lack the perceived benefits after losing patience due to the fact that meditation calls for long waiting however most people realize these benefits immediately. In the course of meditation, various mental and physical changes are bound to occur. The most experience mental changes that arise include: increased potential for positive attitudes that support and promote satisfied life. Also, there is relief from worries due to increased self esteem and better connection with others hence development of better tactics to deal with adverse outcomes of life. On the other hand, mental changes include general overall mental improvement of a human being. In this case, there is less depression, mental stress, couples’ conflict, anxiety disorders and compulsive disorders. This allows one to make healthier decisions and develop critical thinking. More so, it helps one to breaks harmful ways of life by detaching emotions connected with an action from the action itself. It improves communication with oneself. When one has better understanding of their thought processes, they gain more control over what they think about. In fact, meditation boosts ones morale and potentiates one to stay in the present moment. Eventually, when you let go of the past and the future, you live 100% in the present, this in effect affects all aspects of your life and interaction. The extent to which the process of witnessing ones thoughts takes place may seemingly sound simple, but it can also become complicated. So, it is easier to practice witnessing and later allow it to extend to higher levels over a time. This is achieved through calming the mind to create mental insight. Also, there is notable increased freedom because the more one becomes a witness to their mind, the less control those thoughts have over tem. Conclusion In an effort to answering the questions in the introduction, it is true that there are many forms of meditations that have been developed and passed on by humanity’s spiritual and religious traditions. Some may involve complete withdrawal of attention from the customary pattern and outer world of emotional, cognitive and motor activity. Owing to the previously asked questions, meditation calls for stillness of mind by way of insight and concentration. However, the easiest solution that perfects meditation is through regards for God despite the type of meditation used. In order, to articulate logically about meditation one must not only make these distinctions between different kinds of meditation, but he must also note that different special effects may be associated with different stages of meditative practice; i.e. long-standing practitioners may practice different physiological, psychological and cognitive states and changes than novices. Meditation experience is brings about a great effect whereby the most common spontaneous stopping of breath such that when the mind goes deeper naturally, the breath rate falls. Scientifically this is because the metabolic rate goes down and the demand for oxygen drops later after. The other great experience is spiritual and it is attributed to great devotion to religious doctrines and convictions based on the religion that the meditators stand for. This is also happens to aspirants of different spiritual paths which are interpreted as evidence of voluntary possession of faith. In this essay, what appears new that was initially unknown is that meditation is about doing that is why it is extremely difficult and it requires effort. Also, it is a state of mind that is a fact and not a fiction. More so, meditation is not an exercise, but these are just techniques. In addition, it is not for sale, it lacks prerequisite and it does not involve giving up. In conclusion, a number of questions arise in this essay concerning meditation which include: What is the significance of sensation during meditation? Hoe often should meditation be done? Is it meant for religious people only? When is the best time to meditate? Which kinds of meditation are best suited for anxiety? References Kornfield, Jack. Meditation for Beginners. London: Jaico Publishing House, 2010. Read More