Learning to Meditate using our Five Physical Senses

In my last blog, I discussed how using our breath is a simple and natural way to meditate. I found the more I used this simple technique, the easier it became. Furthermore, it is the basis of many forms of meditation.

Why is meditation important? There are many answers, but one reason is based on the Buddhist concept shin'en – translated as “heart/mind-monkey”. It refers to the restless free-flowing uncontrollable thoughts that run through our minds, holding us hostage and leading us down the path of unproductive fear, anxiety, and negativity. I am sure you will know what I mean! Learning to calm and control our mind is the most important step we can take to experience the inner peace a meditation practice can bring us. For this reason, breathing meditation was the foundation of everything we learnt during our three-month retreat.

Having learnt to use our breath, to experience a degree of stillness, our next lesson was to mindfully use our 5 physical senses. Here, we were asked to practice focusing solely on the sensations we experience through each of our five physical senses, focusing on one sense-door at a time.

Buddhism recognises our five senses are entrances into our being. This means that each of our physical senses needs to be mindfully guarded because they continually feed our mind with new information. If you are like me, the monkey-mind loves to name, classify, think, remember, judge, and worry about many things. Usually, in never-ending circles, all relating to the past or to the future; robbing us of the gift of the present moment. The Christian monastic tradition has taught a similar practice called custody of the eyes, ears and thoughts. Both traditions recognise we so easily go astray unless firmly fixed on a goal.

We were encouraged to begin with our sense of sight. I found this the easiest, to begin with, as I re-learnt to look and see what was in front of me without naming what I saw. For example, our retreat day often began before daylight. 4 am found me struggling out of bed and heading for the electric jug for the first hot drink of the day. I then sat on the old couch on the front porch, sipping the tea quietly, as I watched the dawn slowly transform the night sky. Being so far away from civilization, the darkness of the night was absolute and the stars were brilliant. It was awe-inspiring watching night being transformed into daylight! Having spent time with the sense of sight, I moved to the sense of hearing as I listened to the sound of birds or animals breaking into the profound silence of the early morning. Again, without trying to name what I heard but simply enjoy the experience of the moment.

Later in the retreat, we were encouraged to use our other senses, as we explored the fragrances carried in the air; or experienced the rich flavours of the food we ate; or the subtleties of sensation caused by the things we touched or walked on. I found all these explorations could not be rushed if I wanted to delight in the rich sensations our five physical senses have to offer.

Whenever we discovered our mind had wandered off into thinking, or dreaming, or worrying about all the inconsequential things that so readily crowd in upon us, we were asked to return to the sensation of our breathing. Then having re-established our still centre, to continue with our sensory meditation and inquiry.

This simple and engaging exercise can also be used when taking a meditation walk, for example, or as a mindfulness exercise when eating a meal, or while lying in bed, awaiting sleep.

I still work at developing these skills because they contain deep wisdom. The more proficient I become, the greater is my ability to live spaciously and with greater clarity. This, in turn, enables me to view life more objectively, and respond with greater awareness, with more skilful wisdom, and to treat others with more easily non-clinging compassion. It also helps me to enter more freely into the profound mystery of knowing God.

To be continued in my next Blog.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga
May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

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Adapted from my book, Pathways to the Fountain: A Christian-Buddhist Exploration, Tawera Press, 2015

Pathways to the Fountain: Insights from a Christian-Buddhist Exploration - 1

I have been attracted to meditation since childhood. Then in 2003I had the opportunity to attend a three-month Buddhist retreat. 

I was little prepared for the rigours that lay ahead as I joined sixteen other people who came from six different countries. 

Buddhists are often surprised to hear that Christianity has a long tradition of meditation that is over 2000 years old. This includes both the use of silence and the repetition of a prayer-word or mantra. St. Paul, for example, his readers to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ) and the Lord's Prayer was collated from a series of one-line sayings of Jesus and is still used as a repetitive prayer. In the 4th Century CE, John Cassian, a Christian monk and theologian, also taught the use of a short prayer word or mantra that was continually repeated. He said:

"Let sleep come upon you still considering this verse, till having been moulded by the constant use of it, you grow accustomed to repeat it even in your sleep. When you wake let it be the first thing to come into your mind, let it anticipate all your waking thoughts." 1

Using our breath is another form of Buddhist meditation that has a long Christian tradition. The Hebrew word for breath is 'ruah' and associates our breath as flowing from the Divine breath (Genesis 2:7). Using the breath as a tool for stillness and prayer was not developed in the New Testament, but is found in later writings. 

For example, Gregory of Palamas was a monk of Mount Athos in Greece. He later became the Archbishop of Thessaloniki. He suggested we are to focus our attention on our breathing belly because that is where the soul is located.2 Certainly I have found extending my abdomen on inhalation and then pull it back on an exhalation creates depth and subtlety in my meditation practice. One of the physiological reasons is that deep breathing stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which in turn promotes a sense of calmness.3 This also gives new meaning to the words of the Jesuit priest, Anthony de Mello:

" Your breathing is your greatest friend. Return to it in all your troubles, and you will find comfort and guidance." 4

John Selby, a contemporary psychologist and former Presbyterian minister, promoted de Mello's use of the breath in his book, 'Jesus for the rest of us'.5 He developed a simple seven stage process he called 'The Jesus Spiral'. 

Selby's method leads us first into a place of stillness then invites us to make a series of associations between our breath and God "who is breathing me". He suggests this process could be continually repeated as it takes us ever deeper into an experience of the Divine presence. We finally end the meditation by committing ourselves to take the sensations of "light and love and peace" into our daily activities. 

This simple method is very flexible. It can be used either as a morning practice or to fill in a few moments while waiting at the traffic lights, in a shopping queue, or waiting for an appointment. The method relates closely to another comment made by Fr John Main: 

"The essence of Christian prayer is not dialogue but union, oneness... coming into fullness with the energy that created the universe." 6

To be continued in my next Blog.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

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1 Cassian, J, The Second Conference Of Abbot Isaac. On Prayer. Chapter 10. Available at http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/350810.htm Accessed 5/8/16

2  Kadloubovsky and Palmer (1992) Writings from the Philokalia on Prayer of the Heart, UK, Faber & Faber. Vol 4 p 255, St Gregory of Palamans, Introductory Note.

3  See http://www.stress.org/take-a-deep-breath/ Accessed 26/8/16.

4  de Mello, SJ Sadhana, A Way to God, India: Gujarat Sahitya Trakash Anand, 1987, p23.

5 Selby, J,: Jesus for the rest of us, Hampton Roads Publishing Co.,2006.

6 Main, J OSB, Moment of Christ: The Path of Meditation, Darton, Longman & Todd. (1984) p 20.

46. Jesus was a Carpenter

In Mark's Gospel we are told that Jesus 'was a carpenter' (6:3). Matthew 13:54 says he was 'the son of a carpenter'. 

Both are most probably accurate and in my mind, I am reminded of the prayer that The Rev Bob Lowe often prayed at our Sunday evening Church Service:

O Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth,
who on the cross through wood and nails didst work our whole salvation:
Wield well thy tools in this thy workshop;
that we who come to thee rough-hewn
may by thy hand be fashioned to a truer beauty and a greater usefulness;
for the honour of thy holy name. Amen.

The unknown author of this prayer imagined Jesus at work in the small agricultural village of Nazareth, helping Joseph to make fine furniture and farming tools. For this reason, Joseph is remembered as the Patron Saint of Carpenters, as well as many other titles. Jesus would have acquired similar skills.

Work no doubt their work regularly took the family to the beautiful, wealthy city of Sepphoris, about an hour's walk from Nazareth. It was a major Roman city,  built on a major crossroad, and the capital and heart of Galilee. It was also a centre of trade.

While the Greek word tekton is used in the Gospels to describe Joseph's trade, it is usually translated as 'carpenter'. However, it can also mean artisan, craftsman builder in wood, stonemason or metal. That being the case, it is sobering to understand he belonged to the lowest class of marginalized labouring peasants in first-century Palestine.  Even so, they were highly skilled and versatile, well-used to building and repairing whatever work they were called to do – and this is where I feel a special connection with both Joseph and Jesus.

One of my childhood memories was raiding my father's toolbox for saws, hammer, and nails to make and build things from toy guns to tree huts. While my father learnt to keep his toolbox inside the house, to control my enthusiasm and to safeguard his tools, those tools crafted in me a love for making things. I still have my childhood box for holding small treasures. As a teenager, I couldn't afford a guitar, so I built one that worked fine. Over the years, my skills developed. Now I help repair furniture donated to our local St Vincent de Paul Society.

Those of you who share the delight creativity brings to our lives, and the joy we experience as we share those skills and knowledge with others, will appreciate the comment once made by the German mystic, Meister Eckhart: 'We are heirs of the fearful creative power of God'.

It is as we give birth to the creative capacity we have within us, we become co-creators with the Divine Presence, who is waiting to assist us in the ongoing creativity of the universe.

We are all expressions of this Divine creative longing. 

May we learn to 'wield well the tools in the workshop of our lives, so that we who come 'rough-hewn' may by the Divine hand be 'fashioned to a truer beauty and a greater usefulness'. 

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga
May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

 

45. Church Music

 Music in Church Services has always been controversial. It dates back to the earliest centuries and still remains an issue for a whole series of reasons. One of the more unusual reasons was the recent ban on hymn singing during the COVID-19 Lock-down because it might spread the virus.

Christianity grew initially from within Judaism, and the earliest Christians hymns originated from the Jewish chanting of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs from their Hebrew Scriptures. However, hymns and spiritual songs, as we understand them, along with the musical accompaniment, were not part of a normal Church service until the 10th century. Their reception was very mixed. This was partly due to their power to stir human emotions, and partly because musical instruments were generally regarded as “symbols of lasciviousness and debauchery”. 

This view continued to dominate social thinking until 1820 when the Church of England finally and officially approved the singing of hymns. However, some of the more Protestant Churches continued their resistance, controversy, opposition, and ultimately division to the introduction of hymns and musical instruments, into the 20th century!

Why I am interested in this discussion is because I have been closely involved in Church music for most of my life. My father was an Anglican Minister and an accomplished organist. He gave me my first piano lesson when I was 8 years old. As my ability progressed, I was often called on to play the small foot-pumped reed organ at his Church services.

I was a teenager when the Beatles hit the world stage, and wanted – like many teenagers – to copy them. I soon had my first guitar and played with a small group of mates from school. We thought we were great – even if we were hopelessly out of tune!

A little later on, I was introduced to the exquisite sound of Renaissance and Baroque choral music while studying music composition and theory as an adjunct to my Psychology degree. The choral music won my heart far beyond the twangs of my guitar. Although, a few more years later my guitar found its place again in the flood of new hymns and Christian songs from the post-Vatican II reforms and the Charismatic Renewal Movement. While many of these songs suffered from poor musical composition and repetitive lyrics, they were easily sung by a willing congregation, and my guitar found regular use – sometimes to the chagrin of the local organist and the more senior members of the congregation. 

A lot of time has passed since then... and now I find myself looking more like one of those more senior members of the congregation than I would like! I also find myself greeting those old hymns with renewed appreciation, especially when expected to learn a new song with odd rhythms and limited musicality. I am more sympathetic now to the comment made by the late and venerable and most eminent Rev. John Wesley, a lover of music and an elegant poet. When asked for his opinion of the new Christian music being introduced into the chapels of the Methodists. He replied in his terse and powerful manner, ‘I have no objections ... provided they are neither heard nor seen'.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

Franciscan & Ignatian Spirituality

 Over the past few weeks, I have been participating in online Ignatian Training Programme. As a Franciscan, I have become aware of some of the similarities and differences between these two major streams of Christian Spirituality.

Both St Francis of Assisi (1181/2- 1440) and Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1521) came from a military background that ended unsuccessfully. Both men later developed a romantic quality to their spirituality as they became knight troubadours for Christ, and soon gathered around themselves a growing community of followers. Both movements became significant Religious Orders in their own right with their own ethos and ministry.

There are, though, marked differences between the two men and the Franciscan and Ignatian forms of spirituality.

The Franciscan Way is one of simplicity. It is personal and devotional. God is found in all things: in the simple things of life; the colours of creation; the warmth of human friendship; the stillness of a church at prayer; in the sharing of meal whether it be in a church or food given to the poor and hungry. Francis wished to find and follow his beloved Christ everywhere; to become literally, the hands and feet of Christ, especially to those in need.

The Ignatian Way is also focused on finding God in all things, especially in one's desires, feelings and emotions. I find his spirituality to be more formal and regulated. It has contributed much to the intellectual life of the Church, and encourages all things to be done for 'The Greater Glory of God'.

What does appeal to me in the Ignatian programme I am doing is the way it uses symbols to help me recall real life events. It uses passages of scripture to inspire me. And it encourages me to make a choice to share what I have experienced, and if needed, to weave that change into the way I live.

If St Francis inspires me to try and follow the Way of Jesus, St Ignatius inspires me to 'read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest' the teachings of Jesus.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

Living Inside God's Imagination

 

Recently I came across a comment that intrigued me. It was made by the Catholic theologian, William Cavanaugh. He encouraged us to 'Live inside God's imagination'. I wonder what his suggestion means for you'?What does it mean to 'Live inside God's imagination?'

'Imagination' usually refers to our ability to form images and concepts of things not present or discerned by our five senses. For example, when the alchemists searched for the philosophers' stone, they finally realized their quest was futile in the material world because it was an inner journey. The goal of their search was already hidden within themselves. So rather than trying to transform metals into gold, they discovered the real gold was learning to become a living inspiration of the Divine, Creative imagination.

To live inside God's imagination then is to discover this Divine Presence within ourselves and in all creation. This sounds very simple, doesn't it'? I find it quite exciting!

Earlier this week, for example, my wife and I explored one of our city's walkways that wound its way beside a bush covered stream. It was a very beautiful walk. The trees were alive with blossom and bird song, transforming our wander into a sacred pilgrimage. I am sure you have experienced something similar while watching a glorious sunset; or a bird delighting in the gift of flight; or a delighted young mum gazing at her tiny baby.

Francis of Assisi also discovered the same joy in nature. Thomas of Celano, the first Franciscan biographer, says St Francis responded to the beauty of creation with an overflowing sense of joy that caused him to burst out in praise to God, because in their beauty,

In their beauty, he discovered Beauty itself,
and by following the footprints imprinted on creation
he was able to follow his beloved everywhere. (1)

To live inside God's imagination is an invitation to live as Jesus lived. It is to discover first hand that all of creation points towards their Creator. We read that Jesus talked about the fields and animals, the birds and trees, the crops and their produce – including bread and wine. Everything for him was a sacrament of God's Presence. All things were invitations to live within God's imagination. This view echoed throughout our Sacred Scriptures:

Ask the animals, and they will teach you; - '
the birds of the air and they will tell you; '
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know...
in whose hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being. (2)

We all have our images and representations of God. I know I have mine. It is worth asking ourselves whether these understandings and beliefs help or prevent us from seeing the real God at work in our lives?

Sometimes we make things difficult for ourselves by not appreciating the depths of our faith. I know I can substitute the wondrous and life-giving mystery of God with something that diminishes me. I do this so easily when I think I am the centre of my world, or that God doesn't care.

Living inside God's imagination is about presenting my precious, vulnerable inner child, with all of its foibles, to God, in his temple – which is the whole world.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

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1. Thomas of Celano, The Remembrance of the Desire of a Soul CXXIV, 65

2. Job 12:7-10

42. Poem 8: The Mystery of Faith

If you judge people,
you have no time to love them.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta

One of the most amazing people of our generation would be Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She spent most of her life caring for the poor and marginalized. She was formally recognized as a Saint of the Church in 2016. This title is usually reserved for those who have lived and died an exemplary and holy life. Yet Mother Teresa spent long periods of her life doubting the presence of God. Such an experience is not unusual in our journey of faith. It is traditionally referred to as a 'Dark Night of the Soul'. We read in the Gospels how Jesus faced his own Dark Night at the end of his life. Even he pulled back from entering the darkness as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, 'My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me' (Matthew 26:39). Nor was he spared the spiritual suffering from loss:'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' (Matthew 27:46). Or the pain of having to let go as he uttered, 'It is finished' (John 19:30). Then, finally, he gave in to the ultimate self-surrender. 'Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit' (Luke 23:46). However, Jesus was not left alone in the grave of his dark night. It gave birth to the promise of resurrection joy, 'Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.' (Matthew 10:39).

In this regard, as we reflect on the mystery of faith, both Jesus and Mother Teresa practised what is called 'faith of the body'. This is compared to 'faith of the mind' or believing what they had been taught. They both “Acted as though they had faith, and faith was given to them”.

Poem 8
The Mystery of Faith

 

Once, two people went to church to pray,
one was very religious and the other, a common lout.
The religious person
stood up at the front, and said out loud:
'Oh, Love,
I thank you that I am not like other people
who are greedy, dishonest, impure,
and especially like that lout over there.
I am so spiritual!
I even give away a tenth of all my income!'

But the other person
stood alone in a distant corner
and didn't even dare to look up,
but with a gesture of despair muttered,
'O Love, free me from all my faults.'

I tell you, this one went home with Love in his heart,
rather than the other.
So when you pray to Love, be quick to say:
'Forgive me, Love, as I forgive others'. (1)

If two people
can make peace with each other,
they will say to the mountain which faces them,
'Move from here!' It will be moved. (2)

Salt is good;
but if salt has lost its flavour,
how can you renew it?
It is no longer good for anything but is thrown away.
Be flavoured, then, with Love's salt,
and be at peace with one another.(3)

 To close this series of reflections on 'Love Songs of a Jewish Carpenter, I leave you with a saying of Mahatma Gandhi which echoes the ethos of Jesus:

Love never claims, it ever gives;
Love never suffers, never resents;
never revenges itself.
Where there is love there is life.

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga
May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

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1. Luke 18:10-14; Matthew 6:12
2. Thomas 48
3. Mark 9:50; Matthew 5:13