Chapter 07
Meditation and its Perspective
There are many misconceptions related to meditation and meditation practices. First and foremost the English word meditation is most inappropriate for the Pali word“Bavana”. As much as there is no English synonym for “Maithri” there is no proper term in English that closely approximate its meaning.
Second misconception is that “Vipassana Bavana” is the most appropriate Bavana Practice. If that is so, the voluminous “Vissudhi Magga” is a colossal waste of an intellectual exercise. “Samatha Bavana” has a unique place for those who merit its value. To borrow a phrase from Ven. Ajahn Brahmavanso Samatha and Vipassana are two sides of the same coin one leads to tranquility and other yields insight and the two are inseparable in highest meditative states.
Third misconception is that the “Bavana” is not for the layman.
Fourthly, for its practice solitude of the forest or a hermitage is a prerequisite. For the initiated any desirable place and time without hindrances would suffice.
Fifthly, it is therapeutic (medical parlance) and has commercial value. For example it is recommended by some misconceived advocates for blood pressure treatment. It may of some benefit if properly guided to alleviate blood pressure fluctuations associated with emotionally predisposed but not for essential hypertension for which the cause is unknown and the medical treatment though effective is empirical in nature.
Sixth misconception is that the practice of “Bavana” helps the learning capacity. There are many other good techniques for learning and memory enhancement. “Bavana” should be a tool for concentration and getting rid of undesirable mental accompaniments associated with bad learning practices for students with difficulties in grasping learning material. One who has practiced Bavana and adept at it, learning becomes an easy task due to their ability to avoid distractions and concentrate on the task at hand.
Seventh misconception is that the Lord Buddha discovered it. “Bavana” had been in practice in the east for many centuries and it is believed that even the Red Indians Chiefs practiced one form of it. What Lord Buddha did was to refine its use for emancipation of suffering of never ending “Samsara”. It is therapeutic in its meaning within the context of cessation of “Bava” and “Vibhava Thanha”.
Eighth misconception is that a weekend course in “Bavana”would entitle a person to come back to his or her office and convert the uninitiated and start preaching about its benefits. “Bavana” certainly has no commercial value but its aesthetic values permeate through all para-psychology.
Ninth misconception is that it is a practice suitable for any uninitiated. Certainly it is not. It would only benefit one with Sila, Samadhi and Panngha.
Finally “Bavana” is the only way (Ekayana Maggo) for emancipation as extolled and expounded by the Lord Buddha. It should be practiced with diligence.
There are lots of good books including colossal Visuddhi Magga in meditation for one who is interested in meditation practice to read. It is not a reading exercise but a practice one needs to learn from a mature meditation master (teacher and a guide). The selection of a correct guide has to be done clinically accurately and precisely. Buddha was the best guide and one has to remember it needs years of practice and one cannot learn it in a half a day workshop on mediatation.
Uppamado Amatha Padham!
Buddhism and Dhamma 