It would be impossible for every single person in the world to live their life the same way, and still be happy. There is more than one way to do just about anything the mind could start to think of, and it comes down to deciding what is best for the individual to do, for themselves. In Hinduism, it is quite the same. With each individual able to decide how they want to become closer to god, and what exactly they want from god. No matter what, what they choose will show their devotion to god, and the many ways they will show this devotion. Jnana Marga and Bhakti Marga may seem incredibly different, but the end goal is the same, it is all about becoming closer to god, and finding their own inner truth. The Bhagavad Gita gives us incredibly insight into why different people may choose different paths, and what exactly the end goal of each is. “He who cannot meditate must not expect peace; and without peace, how can anyone expect happiness?” (S. p. 23; 2.66) The Jnana path, or knowledge path, holds major importance on meditation, on being able to go deep, within your heart and soul, and try, and eventually to, uncover your inner truth, or your atman. That is peace, once you find who you truly are. “There is nothing in the world so purifying as wisdom, and he who is a perfect saint finds that at last in his own Self,” (S. p. 39; 4. 38) Finding inner truth, seeking inner knowledge, that is how to find peace. Living a whole life without knowing truly who it is being lived for.
However one can not meditate without wisdom. This idea seems to say that the practices of the bhikkhu must include meditation and gaining wisdom. The Buddhist monks engage in these practices because it is the way of the Buddha. Within the text, it is very clear that the Buddha finds meditation of great importance. If not directly speaking about meditation, the Buddha speaks about having a disciplined mind. “It is good to restrain one’s mind, uncontrollable, fast moving, and following its own desires as it is. A disciplined mind leads to happiness” (V. 35). As well as having a disciplined mind, the mental state that the bhikkhu strives to cultivate is one that is at peace, developed, and guarded. “…the bhikkhu whose mind is at peace experiences a more than human joy...” (V. 373). Just the same, a mind should be guarded because a guarded mind brings happiness. “A wise man should guard his mind for it is very hard to keep track of, extremely subtle, and follows its own desires. A guarded mind brings happiness” (V. 36). Through cultivating the mind, the bhikkhu has certain effects on society and in turn society has certain obligations with respect to the bhikkhu. Because the bhikkhu leads a life without desire and hate, he becomes an example for society; showing what kusala is and what a person should strive to be. In return, it is up to society to make donations and offerings to keep the bhikkhu content.
<p align=justify>Meditating on love creates loving feelings to beings; meditating on loving-kindness is to embrace the whole universe with love and help you become a more loving person. Meditating on compassion helps wish to free beings from suffering and doing everything you can to help them. Meditating on sympathetic joy is rejoicing in the happiness of others, developing a genuine gladness. Meditating on even-mindedness develops an even love for all beings and controlling one’s emotions, having a clear and genuine goodwill to all. It helps focus on others and detach from the world, which is key to attain Nibbana. Meditation is also important as in the mental training of our mind to reach the real goal.
Twenty-five established rules allowed the doors of comprehension and the ability to personally relate and reflect to the authors’ view-points to open. As each of these rules plays a defining role in understanding the ability to practice civility, each rule is also a key component in assimilating how to improve on your meditation skills; understand what civility and mediation represent, Forni makes a solid statement that intertwines the two: “if anything, these rules may feel like a “longcut,” since civility requires work and dedication. But they do offer a path to serenity and contentment” (M., 2002, p.41). Since civility and mediation share multiple common grounds and house a wide variety of rules, three will be singled out in which I have found, the most beneficial to my own personal growth and understanding.
meditation. Proper use of this path lead to a balanced and moderate life were the people would
taught by Buddha, people in the society has accepted to follow peace to gain true happiness. The
Mindfulness is another way of meditation. Meditation was used to seek to improve one’s psychological or physical health, or spiritual growth. (Brantley, 2007). The history of Mindfulness comes from Buddhism and his search for enlightenment and a foundation of the four noble truths. The Buddha teaching focus on the four noble truths which consist of knowing suffering exists, there is a cause of suffering, there is cessation of suffering and there is a path that leads to the cessation of suffering. (Van Gordon, 2015). The four noble truths were not only there to represent the Buddha’s experiential understanding of suffering, but also to express the truth (Van Gordon, 2015). Studies of Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths teach us that there is always going to be suffering in our life but to find ways to overcome suffering (Tsering, 2005).
Peace is something that you constantly work and strive for. The fruit of Righteousness will be peace (Isaiah 32:17). Therefore, having a goal of righteousness would also be a path towards peace. There are times I feel uneasy and uncomfortable. This is the fruit of the counterpart of righteousness which is sinfulness. With sin, there is no peace. But in the absence of sin, there is no fear. My peace is like a river flowing. This is the kind of peace I desire and the kind of peace I experience when I am righteous.
Believe the Four Truths are true and real, follow the Eightfold Path, meditation is one of the major steps to
In the novel Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, the main character experiences many ups and downs while on his journey to inner peace. First, he decides to live his life as a Samana. Later he abandons that life in return for a life as a rich man. In the end he decides that his rich life is unsatisfying and he begins the simple life of a ferryman. Herman Hesse writes about what it takes to obtain inner peace through his character Siddhartha.
In the practice of Buddhism meditation is the primary means of purifying ones soul and letting go of all worldly desires. Elimination of the desire to cling to works of the world such as judgments, possessions or pleasure by gaining wisdom serves to free the mind and gives one sense of peace. It is the clinging that limits the ability to be at peace. Buddhist who has obtained enlightenment are free from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth and have transcended. It is thru the process of this intense meditation that the ultimate goal of Buddhism can be reach, the achievement of Nirvana.
The value of practicing silence and solitude is peace. When being still in the presence of the Lord there is peace. A sense of calmness comes upon you, and you can actually think. I always start off with
“Meditation is a means of transforming the mind” (The Buddhist Centre 2015). Buddhists practice and teach meditation to help enhance the concentration, clarity, positivity, and find a calming sense of the mind (The Buddhist Centre 2015). Buddhists believe that we have full control and power over our minds meaning that we have the power to change how we think and feel during situations through meditation. (ReligionFacts 2015). Buddhist’s believe dedicated meditation can encourage people to have a clearer, more positive, and peaceful world view. Buddhist’s believe people can alter negative perceptions of themselves and turn it into something positive through meditation/ (The Buddhist Centre 2015).
What is your definition of peace? Have you ever felt peace in your life? For me, peace is a feeling of well-being experienced by a person who feels good about himself, and a person who is calm and relaxed. In this case, the couple of essays that I used as a source of information talk about peace and discuss it in a complete different way.
The repeated points throughout Meditations are that a reasonable, moral life leads to peace and inner tranquillity; also, that is vital to obey the virtues present in life. Namely, these are wisdom, justice, fortitude, and moderation.
From the lavish beginnings in a wealthy kingdom nestled within the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, Siddhartha Gautama’s transformation into the Buddha and the start of Buddhism was based off of and due to confronting constant human suffering in everyday life. Abandoning his regal life in pursuit of spiritual insight, Siddhartha sought to understand the problem of human suffering and propose remedies, if any, to such a condition. Verses, lectures, and sutras transcribed in scriptures by Buddha’s followers offer an other worldly perspective to endure the hardships and how to conduct oneself harmoniously in society especially with the concept of Inner Peace. The truth goal of Buddhism is to attain peace within oneself, detaching oneself from worldly suffering, attaining enlightenment, and eventually reaching a state of escaping the cycle of suffering, the state of Nirvana. Even though there are many sects of the Buddhist faith, this essay focuses on the shared peace practices and beliefs Buddhism promotes, especially the concept of inner peace through reflection. Buddhism is known widely as a religion of peace and non-violence, though there are outlying examples contrary to the point such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and etc., the concept of achieving inner peace and living harmoniously no matter what views one has can promote a positive society.