Is Meditation a Religion?

"My earnest request is that you practice love and kindness whether you believe in a religion or not, for your own peace of mind." The Dalai Lama

Is meditation a religion?

Rabbi David Cooper teaches Jewish meditation, but he notes that religion is not a necessary element of meditation practice. He writes: "While the language is different in every tradition, a fair amount of meditation practice is generic. For example, sitting in silence is a universal practice, as is chanting and repetitive phrases, one-pointed concentration, being mindful of the present moment, and taking time each day for reflection. And there are also many meditative practices that are unique to individual traditions."

"You can find a style to fit your natural disposition and preferences based on parameters like physical, emotional and intellectual makeup, ancestry, language, and so on."

Doctor Jon Kabat-Zinn teaches meditation to facilitate healing among his medical patients, who come from all backgrounds. He writes: "Meditation is not some wierd cryptic activity. It does not involve becoming a zombie, vegetable, narcissist, navel gazer, space cadet, cultist, devotee, mystic, or Eastern philosopher. Meditation is simply about being yourself, so that you can chart a course for yourself that is true to your inner being."

The Dalai Lama is the foremost Buddhist teacher in the world, and yet even he describes meditation not as a religious activity, but as the direct path to peace and happiness. He says: "If you have peace of mind, you can find happiness even under the most difficult circumstances. Meditation leads to mental peace, and as you calm your heart and mind, you will enjoy more happiness. You will be a better human being, a better citizen of your country, and ultimately, a better citizen of the world."

Deepak Chopra is a medical doctor as well as a meditation teacher. He writes: "Meditation is the most powerful tool we have for learining to see the connective patterns of the universe, giving us access to all the unseen, untapped energy and information in the more subtle universal planes."

Books Available from Amazon

Handbook of Jewish Meditation Practices: A Guide for Enriching the Sabbath and Other Days of Your Life, by David Cooper ($12). Rabbi Cooper shows newcomers and experienced meditators alike how Jewish meditation can be an integral part of daily life, and can refresh us in our day-to-day encounters.

Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain, and Illness, by Jon Kabat-Zinn ($19) Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, is perhaps the best-known proponent of using meditation to help patients deal with illness. This book is also a terrific introduction for anyone who has considered meditating but was afraid it would be too difficult or would include religious practices they found foreign.

Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, by Jon Kabat-Zinn ($11). This book blends stories, anecdotes, poems, images, and scientific observations with easily followed instructions.

How to Practice: The Way to a Meaningful Life, by the Dalai Lama ($20) A practical explanation of Buddhist theory and meditation techniques that includes instructions for several practices.

The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, by Deepak Chopra ($17), a NY Times bestseller for many weeks, is also available in audio formats: Cassette ($17) and CD ($20). Chopra offers practical meditation advice, backed with a theory of the mind that supports and inspires meditation.

Links

The Omega Institute has retreat centers and meditation programs taught by many of the leading meditation masters of our day, including Jon Kabat-Zinn, Rabbi David Cooper, and others. Information, including teacher biographies and teaching schedules, is at www.eomega.org.

The Tibetan Government in Exile maintains information about the Dalai Lama at their site: www.tibet.com

The Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society (CFM), founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, has information about him, his teaching schedule, and his meditation techniques. www.umassmed.edu/cfm

The Chopra Center for Wellness www.chopra.com offers meditation classes and has information about speaking and teaching tours of Deepak Chopra. They conduct public retreats, and also train people who offer their methods in other parts of the country. Check with them for more details.


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