contemplation - is an ancient spiritual practice.In the teachings of Zen mystical contemplation is the foundation upon which all human spiritual development.The ability to contemplate - is an art to comprehend that the strength is not for everyone.Contemplation - not for beginners, can only contemplate an experienced searcher.
experienced searcher
Who is an experienced searcher?This is the man who has already rejected, or come close to that, to reject their ignorance - night.This is the one who constantly asks God for his sleepless smile.Experienced searcher forms inside unquestioning love of God, surrendering to his will.
The philosophical meaning of the term "contemplation»
philosophically contemplation of the world has many meanings, which are sometimes even contradictory.
- The visual contemplation, which has a special meaning.
- Contemplation as the general perception of the world.
- Irrational, neponyatiynoe perception of reality.
But there is another group of values in which contemplation - it is something directly, not pertaining to the senses.It requires contemplation of sensuous perception of the world values, and other values.This group includes the following:
- Contemplation as the analysis of the values of mathematical or logical nature.
- internal process of direct formation of ideas, that is, the contemplation of the spirit of Plato.
- Contemplation in the Kantian sense, as a moral awareness of the rules and ethical principles.
- Contemplation as the perception of the perfect, God himself - intelligent form of contemplation in the style of German idealism.
practice of contemplation
Contemplate - means to explore the world and its beauty without words.The man who is constantly practicing this teaching becomes more developed intellectually or professionally suitable.Nevertheless, the ability to contemplate able to make a person more calm, to teach him the right to apply the knowledge that he already has.Spiritual practices - is a direct path to the development and promotion of the human to what is called the spirit.By practicing meditation, the seeker is looking for the right way, to get rid of the emotions of the past and worries about the future.
impossible to contemplate a world without activating the internal dialogue, and that requires a lot of time.Contemplation of beauty - is the direction of attention not only on the outside, but on the internal objects.This skill, which is available for the development of only a narrow circle of persons.Therefore, do not expect that you will quickly learn this practice - it does not give anyone immediately.Only regularly engaged in, can be freed from the power of obsessive thoughts and ideas and achieve inner balance and stillness.
How to start practice
Mastering this practice is best to start from the contemplation of nature.The main advantage lies not in the nature of some of its spiritual benefits to all the rest, and that the human mind is the least it seeks to analyze and understand.When a person looks at a stone, a tree or a river, his mind is silent.Speaking in society, we have always tried to observe and analyze all parts: listening to the sounds of peering into the faces of people who read the signs.To learn how to simply contemplate the beauty of nature, you need to go hiking, for example, in the mountains.Picturesque landscapes become a magnificent backdrop.Of course, later you still have to study and contemplate the world in which you live.
of contemplation
Mastering spiritual practices such as meditation, you need to take into account the shape, since it is also important.As mentioned above, there are external and internal forms of contemplation.However, any Zen master knows that the concept of "inside" and "outside" are purely debatable value.In this inner contemplation requires a lot of practice and training.An example of such exercises - vipassana.
It should be understood that the man - a complex being and development of the attention will not be enough to develop the practice of contemplation.We'll have to change the perception and attitude to his life in general.The first thing to give up smoking, alcohol, drugs, stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle.So you have accumulated a huge amount of energy that is needed for contemplation.Attention should be paid, and his mental state: get rid of the obsessive thoughts and ideas that will stir the mind to perceive the process of contemplation.
contemplative practice involves direct visual perception of objects, the world in general, or in general, the internal formation of the forms in which everything appears real and meaningful.
Contemplation form and essence
in the Kantian sense contemplation of form - that space and time, which analyzes the experience.They are the essence of intelligence data.This ready-made forms of inner contemplation, which is independent of experience, and only allow it to acquire.The contemplation of the ideas and spirit - a spiritual process by which man is able to grasp the idea of the subject.According to Plato, before his relocation to the body of the soul contemplates the ideas.That is, in this case essentially understood contemplation Boolean mediated perception.
Zen practice
Zen meditation practice called hvadu.Literally, the term means "head of speech."In this case, the "head" - is the pinnacle, which exhausted thoughts and speech.Hence, contemplation - is to bring the person into a state of calmness and clarity of mind, which darkens and ceases distracting chatter perception.In Zen meditation is a major factor in maintaining a constant sense of questioning.
start the course, try to always keep questioning: "What do you see?What do you hear? "And before you fade the initial interest, you need to ask a new question.Thus the process of questioning will not be interrupted, a new issue will be superimposed on the previous one, and so constantly.In addition, we need to achieve in order to be sanctioned was a regular and smooth, but it was not necessary to just automatically repeat the question.It is not a mantra.Speaking clock itself, "What is it?" Is useless.The main goal is not to simply repeat the words, and in maintaining a sense of questioning.Once this process will be established, the mind becomes calm.
Tips seeker
Contemplation - this battle intrusive thoughts and drowsiness of the mind on the one hand and hvadu - on the other.In contemplation concentration and wisdom should be combined into one.Without concentration it will be difficult to cope with the false perception, and without wisdom - will increase ignorance.You are not the first nor the last person to enter this path.Therefore, do not stop, even if at times it will seem that this practice is too complex.Without exception, all teachers - ancient and modern - have experienced some difficulties along the way.
We need to wake up every morning to night.This intention should be strengthened day by day, until it becomes inexhaustible.Try to control your behavior, never neglect the moral precepts upon which the practice of contemplation.When ripening hvadu and mind will become more acute, it is important not to stop and continue the occupation.After all, the purpose of the exercises - total immersion in hvadu.Everything else should be excluded.
