Meditation

The nature of the faculty of

meditation

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Hinduism c. 3000 BC
Meditation is greater than thought. The earth seems to
meditate; atmosphere and sky seem to meditate; the
waters and the mountains seem to meditate, as do
gods and men. That is why whenever men achieve
greatness on earth, they may be said to have received
their [due] portion of the fruits of meditation. So, while
small men are quarrelsome, slanderous gossips, the
great may be said to have received their [due] portion
of the fruit of meditation. Revere meditation.
– Chandogya Upanishad 7:6
That happiness which belongs to a mind which by deep
meditation has been washed clear of all impurity and
has entered within the Self, cannot be described by
words; it can be felt by the inwards power only.
– Maitranyana Brahmana Upanishad
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal
nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch
with God.
This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the
sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty
inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are
carried out; through it governments can run smoothly.
Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom
of God.
Nevertheless some thoughts are useless to man; they
are like waves moving in the sea without result. But if
the faculty of meditation is bathed in the inner light and
characterised with divine attributes, the results will be
confirmed.
The meditative faculty is akin to the mirror; if you put
it before earthly objects it will reflect them. Therefore if
the spirit of man is contemplating earthly subjects he
will be informed of these.
– `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 174
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
Bahá'u'lláh says there is a sign (from God) in every
phenomenon: the sign of the intellect is contemplation
and the sign of contemplation is silence, because it is
impossible for a man to do two things at one time – he
cannot both speak and meditate.
It is an axiomatic fact that while you meditate you are
speaking with your own spirit. In that state of mind you
put certain questions to your spirit and the spirit
answers: the light breaks forth and the reality is revealed.
You cannot apply the name 'man' to any being void of
this faculty of meditation; without it he would be a mere
animal, lower than the beasts.
Through the faculty of meditation man attains to
eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy
Spirit – the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection
and meditation.
Meditation is the key for opening the doors of
mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that
state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in
that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of
spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-
themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed
with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is
being used the outward power of vision does not see.
– `Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 174
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Judaism c. 1500 BC
When you are on your beds, search your hearts and be
silent.
– Psalm 4.4
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on
it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything
written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in
all you do. This is my command—be strong and
courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the
Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
– Joshua 1:8-9
I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings
(Psalms 77:12). I will meditate in thy precepts, and have
respect unto thy ways (Psalms 119:15). I remember the
days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the
work of thy hands (Psalms 143:5).
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Buddhism c. 400 BC
Though one should live a hundred years, without
wisdom and control, yet better, indeed, is the single
day’s line of one who is moral and meditative.
– Dhammapada, p. 38
Without knowledge there is no meditation, without
meditation there is no knowledge. He who has
knowledge and meditation is near to Nirvana.
– Dhammapada 372
While in the same way that rain cannot break into a
well-roofed house, desire cannot break into a mind
that has been practicing meditation well.
– Dhammapada 14
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
Meditate profoundly, that the secret of things unseen
may be revealed unto you, that you may inhale the
sweetness of a spiritual and imperishable fragrance, and
that you may acknowledge the truth that from time
immemorial even unto eternity the Almighty hath tried,
and will continue to try, His servants, so that light may be
distinguished from darkness, truth from falsehood, right
from wrong, guidance from error, happiness from misery,
and roses from thorns.
– Bahá'u'lláh, Kitab-i-Iqan
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The Bahá'í Faith 1844 AD
For the core of religious faith is that mystic feeling which
unites Man with God. This state of spiritual communion
can be brought about and maintained by means of
meditation and prayer.
– Bahá'í Writings
The wine of renunciation must needs be quaffed, the lofty
heights of detachment must needs be attained, and the
meditation referred to in the words "One hour's reflection
is preferable to seventy years of pious worship" must
needs be observed...”
– Bahá'u'lláh, The Kitáb-i-Íqán, p. 238
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Buddhism c. 400 BC
Those who meditate with perseverance, constantly working
hard at it, are the wise who experience Nirvana, the
ultimate freedom from chains.
– Dhammapada
Sayings of the Buddha 1, tr. J. Richards
Whoever meditates with awareness obtains great joy.
When the wise conquer thoughtlessness by awareness,
climbing the terraced heights of wisdom, free from sadness
viewing the sad crowd below, they gaze upon the fools, like
one on the mountain peak gazes upon those standing on
the plain.
– Dhammapada
Sayings of the Buddha 2, tr. J. Richards
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Christianity 1 AD Islam c. 613 AD

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, A blessed Book have we sent down to thee, that men
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are may meditate its verses, and that those endued with
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things understanding may bear it in mind.
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
– The Qur'an (Rodwell tr), Sura 38
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
[meditate] on these things.

– Philippians 4:8
In the privacy of the night the worshipers of the Most
Gracious mediate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.

– Qur’an 25.64
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it
shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing
wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the
And We imposed a duty upon Abraham and Ishmael,
sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that
(saying): Purify My house for those who go around and
man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A
those who meditate therein and those who bow down
double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
and prostrate themselves (in worship).
– James 1:5-8
– The Qur'an (Pickthall tr), Sura 2