Meditation Therapy in Different Faiths
Hinduism:
Meditation is the core of Hindu Religion. In Hinduism, meditation, called Dhyana, was practiced right from the first Indian Civilization, thousands of years ago. All yogis practicing yogas followed one form of meditation or the other. Meditation therapy was practiced as part of Vedanta (Jnana) yoga, Raja Yoga, Surat Shabd Yoga (sound and light meditation), Japa Yoga (repetition of mantra), Bhakti Yoga (love and devotion) and Hatha Yoga (raising Kundalini).
Buddhism:
Meditation is core to Buddhism also. In fact, Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree.
Buddhism suggests meditation for Nirvana or realization of Truth. A Japanese Zen and Korean Zeon school of Buddhism also prescribes ‘Dhyana’ (meditation) for the achievement of Nirvana. Tibetan Buddhism insists on ‘Tantra’ along with meditation. In gist, Meditation is a part of Buddhist religious practice though virtue, meditation and wisdom are all required to attain Salvation.
Judaism and Christianity:
Christianity incorporates meditation in the form of prayers (meditation of the heart) to bring inner peace (stillness). Joshua, in the Old Testament urges all God’s people to read and meditate on the Book of Law, day and night.
Islam:
A Muslim is obligated to pray five times a day focusing and meditating on Allah through reciting the Quran so that a connection between creator and creation is made possible. The Muslim Prophet Mohammed is supposed to have spent long periods in meditation and Contemplation to receive revelations of the Quran.
Jainism:
Jainism uses the word Samayika, a word in the Prakrit language, derived from the word samay (time) to denote the practice of meditation. The aim is to allow Jiva (human living) to transcend the mundane ever-changing life and unite with Atma that is timeless and non- transient.
Sikhism:
Sikhism believes in quiet meditation, which means focusing one’s attention on the attributes of God.
Modern Times:
There are believers of meditation in modern times too. For J. Krishnamurti, meditation was choice-less awareness in the present. According to him, if one is totally aware of oneself, that is, one’s walking, talking, eating or feeling, that is part of meditation.
Dynamic or Active meditation is what is followed by devotees of Rajneesh (Osho). Active meditation is one way of bringing out the repressed and suppressed emotions, one way of giving psychological liberty.
Sri. Aurobindo used to meditate while walking.
In early times, Western meditation was predominantly in the form of silent prayer and connecting with God. Now both in the East and the West, meditation is practiced to promote physical, mental and emotional well being.
