Meditations

 

or

Prayers

 

for

Believers

 

or

Not-Believers

 

Many of us experience special moments in our busy lives when we seek a higher view of existence, beyond all daily complex involvement – we seek clarity, a foundation, some direction by understanding a meaning of our existence – and often seek comfort and help – for many of us, from “God”.

At times, we also want to show gratitude and joy in harmony with this ultimate foundation.

But how can this still be in our modern thought?  

 (by Helmut Schwab)

030111-080611

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Download” the entire essay in Microsoft Word format for ease of printing

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The basic thought:

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These meditations are meant to support an attempted search for the spiritual essence of the universe, the cause of its origin and its evolving function – for the “Structure Providing and Spiritual Essence of Existence” – in greatest admiration and reverence.

But can we find support and possibly comfort from there?

We can attempt to derive direction for our lives, though.

May we grasp the opportunity for personal development offered to us in this existence.  A view of the width and depth of the universe and its evolving structure may provide us support.  A view of all the suffering in this world may drive us to action.  A view of all the positive and beautiful in this world may refresh us.

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Introduction:

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The important prayers of the great religions were formulated some long time ago by spiritually searching and leading individuals and their cultures.  They corresponded to the respective deepest understanding of the perceived spiritual existence and structure of our world.  They served to elevate the people beyond the common level of daily life to this higher essence of our existence and to provide the perceived principally valid direction for our lives.  This resulted in the belief and faith in “God”, in a “God” – and, derived from that, to the formulation of the basic laws for our lives.

Modern thought has deprived many of us of the concept of a personalized “God” – and the observation of the world of the possibility to ever reach “God” with our prayers.

What remains is Christian ethics – increasingly also intellectual clarity.  That began with ancient Greek thought – continued by the scholastic thinkers and those of enlightenment, now expanded by our modern “scientific” world.

Central to the interpretation of nature is Darwin’s (and Wallace’s) theory of evolution – which did not see a guiding transcendental Christian love, but merely that the fittest shall prevail.  This brought new emphasis to the problem of theodicy – the question of how “God” can be justified in the presence of so much evil and suffering in the world – because now one recognized the cruelty of the previously romanticized nature.  Now, one saw that each organism is vitally threatened by accidents, climate change, viral, bacterial or fungal diseases, parasites, and predatory or merely harvesting organisms – and may equally threaten other organisms.

In pilgrimage churches, one can find memorials (votive tablets) from individuals who believed in their faith that they were helped by God or a saint in a situation of great need.  But one does not find memorials for the innumerable individuals whose prayers or desperate cries for help did not find any higher response or reaction.

Still, we seek in special moments of our lives to transcend in our thoughts the daily low complexity of life.  In a higher view of existence we seek support, possibly direction for our life.  That is the way how those among us who are not-believers begin meditations – as believers begin prayers – to the degree as those are still valid for us.  Ultimately, both, believers and non-believers, follow a very similar method.  The results of the meditations or prayers, however, are quite different between the great religions and cultures of the world – between Jews, Christians, and Muslims – and more so when compared to Buddhists or Hindus.  What can modern thought contribute to meditations?  How should one begin modern meditations?

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The overemphasis of one philosophical direction often leads to a strong reaction of the other or opposite philosophical direction.  In our time with central importance of the sciences, we observe reactivation of religious fundamentalism in many places – in all religions – often in a dangerous way.   

The resurgence of anciently formulated theological dogmatism may provide a sense of security to some individuals, but often does not match the needs, thoughts, or expressions of our now “global” world – and may become dangerous to itself and others.  One can observe how Muslim fundamentalism brought more damage than good to the Muslim world, which originally it had wanted to bring.  The same holds for Christian fundamentalism in the course of history – and still today.

What do we teach our children?  Which course in life do we pursue ourselves?  We do want our children to acquire an adequate economic foundation – and need that ourselves – by learning modern skills and by becoming able to prevail in their course through life.  But, obviously, we mostly emphasize our human culture (which is largely based on cooperation).  We value trustworthiness and tolerance.  We admire charitable generosity.  Thereby, we want to provide and retain for us and our children a solid foundation on the “values” of our culture. 

Cultures and religions have always relied on rituals and prayers for their continuity – the rituals, to maintain coherence – the prayers, in order to provide every one with a connection to the foundation of his being and to provide direction.  

Every prayer of the significant religions begins with a focus on “God”.  This is followed by a declaration of submission and of wanting to follow the wishes of the thus perceived “God”.  Subsequently, specific concepts for the direction of human society and conduct of personal life may follow.  At the end, quite practical formulations of needs and prayer for assistance may be formulated.

What can a modern individual do who, from time to time, seeks a foundation for life, sometimes simply comfort and assistance?

The human mind has the unique capability for meditation.  This implies taking a distance from the many interconnections of daily life, an immersion in a unique theme of existence which is supposed to bring support and direction to the meditating one, possibly also a form of mental peace.  Thereby, meditation is very close to prayer – and is the “not-religious” form of the same mental process.  Religious people seek prayer.  The not-religious people seek meditation.  Thereby, both approaches are very similar to each other, but not identical.

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Meditations:

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The following format of this essay merely mentions a sequence of individual thoughts, which can also be read as “sayings”, followed by explanations and suggestions – for own subsequent thought, for further meditation and, possibly, own behavior or action – just as religious people pray and, thereby, may (or should) receive direction for their lives.  Each individual thought or saying may be considered as a separate meditation.  

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1.  To the degree that we want to be mentally liberated from the complex involvements of life on Earth, to elevate ourselves from Earth as in astronautic exploration, our view is directed toward the stars, the grandiose width of light-filled cosmic space – and ultimately to the question of origin – to the „Structure Providing and Spiritual Essence of Existence“ in the universe.  For believers, that is the quest for God. 

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We must remain with admiration and, possibly, reverence when considering this absolutely abstract phenomenon of origin.  No anthropomorphism in human terms is adequate any longer.  The vastness of the universe and, possibly, of other universes and their course through time transcends all anthropomorphism.  Additionally, the structure of the universe as established by this ultimate Structure Providing and Spiritual Essence of Existence based on a set of subatomic particles – which are then guided in their path by emerging forces, principles, and constants – and which are driven to combine in always new and higher configurations.  Only Quantum Mechanics, with its probabilistic phenomena, opens a door to the unforeseen.      

How marvelous and grandiose is this world – and how small are we within it.

How marvelous is the all-transcending intellectuality of the structure of this world.

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2. Returning to our life on Earth:  How should we, with our human society and our individual lives on Earth, fit into – or what should we contribute to – this cosmic structure and evolution?

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When considering that everything in the universe evolves with its own meaning, possibly to higher complexity, we cannot spend our lives and our behavior only centered on ourselves, on pleasure or, at worst, destructively.

Natural evolution provided us with gifts of thought and also of deep emotions transcending all prior forms life.  The gift of thought must be utilized and must fulfill the expectations of the emotions in order to let us and human society be part of the further evolving universe – for “the pleasure of the Creator”, as monks of times past once formulated.  This is the meaning for the believers of the words “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in heaven” – and should bring meaning into the lives of the not-believers. 

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3.  Our close interconnections here on Earth may be threatening but also may provide warmth.  Especially, they bring the obligation for beneficial behavior. 

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4. Provide merely a little clarity or light and some warmth to your immediate environment.

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Clarity can bring mental understanding to confusing situations, also to personal confusion, from which we suffer from time to time.  To bring some light may also consist in focusing on the bright, the tolerant, and the enjoyable aspects of this world – and to consequently brighten up moods.

To bring some warmth is urgently necessary in this often dry, hostile, or actually depressing world.  An old man (in Switzerland) had only one goal in his remaining life:  to bring at least to one person every day one such a moment of light or warmth.  Once, this consisted only in pointing out a beautiful and rare butterfly sitting on a flower to a passing stranger.  This always grouchy man responded with a radiant expression.

Actually, one can quite often provide just a little help to another person in a difficult situation or in loneliness.

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5. What counts is some reduction of the many forms of suffering in this world and the providing of some more opportunities fairly for all.

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The suffering and the constraints of life of so many people is a call to everybody to provide charitable assistance.

The suffering and constraints of life for so many people is a call for self-help.  Too often, the key problem is an accustomed or cultural lethargy.

Mainly, the suffering and constraints of life for so many people is caused by inadequate or bad administration or governance.  The number of countries is large which are ruled by poorly qualified governments, by tyrants who are only interested in the preservation of their own power or that of their support group – or who are governed by corrupt elites out to enrich themselves.  Even the form of democracy in our progressive countries with the influence of lobbyists, donors of money, or the media of all kinds require improvement. 

In connection with this problem of administration and governance all of mankind and each individual can find a future-defining task – which should be urgently tackled for the reduction of suffering and limitations on development of so many people.

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6.  Our lives should be dedicated to the three different basic goals or opportunities:

·       Growth

·       Service

·       Art and Culture

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Growth:  Each organism of nature is driven to fully develop its potential.  For us humans, this means growth in intellectual exploration, in diverse learning, in the acquisition of new capabilities or skills, in the formation of our personalities.

Service:  An ethical, unselfish behavior begins already (even among animals) with the dedicated raising of our children.  As “social” beings, living in groups, our connection with other members of our group or the prospering of our community also counts.  This includes Christian love, ethical behavior and trustworthiness – also in our professional work and in politics. Thereby, the “values” of our culture originate.

Art and Culture:  The perception of beauty is a special gift of existence to humans.  We find beauty, the attractive, even elegance in good art and in nature – especially also in the sounds, rhythms, and harmonies of beautiful music – possibly also in wonderful and possibly mood-related fragrances and perfumes – and, for some people, even in the area of tasting and touch?  Art should not degenerate into augmentation of exaggerated or strange effects only – and should not only serve for commercial or political promotion.

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7.  Nothing surpasses the warmth and fulfillment resulting from the love of the heart and from empathy

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8.  Ethical behavior primarily permits the formation of efficient groups in life, in order to persevere in life in mutual trust and help – and to accomplish larger tasks, which a single individual could not.  Ethical behavior results in coherence and is rewarded by the emotions of security and fulfillment.

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Ethics basically demands unselfish trustworthiness – in daily life together and also in business and politics.

The common life in groups leads to the phenomenon of the natural evolution of social structures, which may strengthen and protect but may also suppress and exploit the individual.

Thereby, the ruthless, others-exploiting or even cheating business people and many politicians, mainly also the tyrants of their respective nations, appear as criminals on the otherwise possibly positive path of mankind.

The inversion of positive ethics (in “negative ethics”) occurs in the sensing of offense, the pursuit of honor, the seeking of revenge – occasionally reduced by payments or apologies.

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9.  Too many people need help in great suffering – lack of food, inadequate housing, not existing medical care, too little human connection in loneliness.  Too many people seek for and need more opportunities and some freedom for their life’s development, in order not to lose their fulfillment of life, since they, too, can spend only one life, while aging quickly.  Can we influence their and our destiny?  What can we do?  

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Charitable help from others, mainly also self-help, and, primarily, improved administration and governance (also under the increasing influence of the whole world) are the previously mentioned approaches to a solution.  They should find more attention by each individually and by the general public on all levels.

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10.  We, too, may have to pass conditions or phases of life of suffering and loneliness.  Who will help us?  Good friends or networks may do that.  More often, we have to struggle ourselves to cope with the problems.  Additionally, we should try ourselves to care for the suffering and loneliness of other individuals – even when, or specifically when suffering ourselves.  Thereby, we free ourselves from ourselves and our suffering.   

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11.  Our misdeeds bring us guilt.  We wish that others would not hold our guilt too much against us and would even understand us.  Vice versa, we must attempt to lessen the burden of our fellow humans caused by their guilt.  Special concerns exist regarding behavior of pride, honor, revenge, and retribution.  Misdeeds should be resolved by beneficial laws, re-education, also by punishment – and by Christian love.   

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12. How shall one confront temptation?  The relegation of responsibility for temptation to occurrences of destiny does not help.  Own responsibility remains – also for the formation and emphasis on proper sequences of thought. 

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Science has shown that the sequences of thought follow the habitual path or the most emphasized ones – even the negative ones.  Therefore, it counts to always redirect our thoughts toward the good and correct.

Still, it remains that one should not expose others to temptation.

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13.  What are priorities of behavior?

The Qur’an begins almost each Sura with the words: “Allah, the merciful and beneficent”.  Should we not primarily attempt to be merciful and beneficent? 

Christian teaching elevates our thoughts (in the key Beatitudes within the Sermon on the Mount, Matth 5, Verses 5 and 7 to 9) to:

·        The meek (modern: the humble ones)

·        The merciful (modern: the generously help providing)

·        The ones with a clean heart (modern: the ones whose mind is clean)

·        The peacemakers (modern: the ones finding and creating peace)

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These teachings were formulated 1600 or 2000 years ago, were intended to form Europe and the whole world, but succeeded only in a limited way – but repeatedly contributed guiding values for our culture and for guiding individuals leading to exceptional behavior.

What means to be “humble” (to respect the lowly ones), to be “generous” in providing help, form a “clean mind” in emphasis on the right and good, and to act for understanding, balance and “peace”?

Each one of these themes requires a separate meditation!  

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14.  An additional task for humanity is the responsible handling of nature.

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Global warming already poses very serious problems.  With the increase of humanity and the consequent need for an ever larger surface to utilize, it is that much more important to protect and retain nature.  Given the instabilities in nature, it is equally important to confront not only human instabilities but also natural ones – on the level of bacteria, in the world of plants or animals.  Earth, as we inherited it, is given to us humans as the only home in the universe.

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At the end, our meditation should attempt once more to raise itself to the spirituality or intellectuality of the universe, its origin, its function, and its evolution – to the “Structure Providing and Spiritual Essence of Existence” – in greatest admiration and reverence.

May we grasp the opportunities for personal development offered to us in this existence.  A view into the width and depth of the universe and its evolving structure may provide us support.  A view of all the suffering in this world may drive us to action.  A view of all the positive and beautiful in this world may refresh us.

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