RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE OF CONCENTRATION

All human beings experience life on three distinct levels: physical, intellectual, and

spiritual. But, our experiences on a spiritual level returns to art of concentration like

other practices. We achieve this understanding, or awareness, through spiritual

practices. Art of concentration is a spiritual practice, regardless of religious beliefs. All

religions have basic rules and fundamental duties which are based on their aspects and

laws. Most of religions reveal various cultures and life style but all of them emphasize

the art of concentration or method of concentration through it they say we can find

relaxation to our mentality. Although all religions have their own elegance and view on

this art but the name of this art is changing when the religion change and there are some

differences among religions on performing this art but the goal is same to relax or

increase mind capacity. When this art comes on the part of religions it becomes

meditation that meditation is generally used term among religions for this art. either

Islam or Hinduism or Buddhism or any religion accept it the way to reduce stress and

they trust in it will waive the way to increase the piety. Here I reveal concentration

method of major religion like Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Buddhism.

SUFI VIEW ON MEDITATIVE PRACTICES

Salah is a mandatory act of devotion performed by Muslims five times a day. The body

goes through sets of different postures, as the mind attains a level of concentration

called khushu'. And a second optional type of meditation is remembering and

mentioning God, which is known by the concept Dhikr is interpreted in different

meditative techniques in Sufism or Islamic mysticism.1 Thus Sufi view or Islamic

mysticism involves meditative practices. This became one of the essential elements of

1
Prayer: a history by Philip Zaleski, Carol Zaleski 2005 ISBN 0-618-15288-1 page 147-149.
Sufism as it was systematized in the 11th and 12th centuries. It is juxtaposed with fikr

(thinking) which leads to knowledge. By the 12th century, the practice of Sufism

included specific meditative techniques, and its followers practiced breathing controls

and the repetition of holy words.2

Numerous Sufi traditions place emphasis upon a meditative procedure which comes

from the cognitive aspect to one of the two principal approaches to be found in the

Buddhist traditions: that of the concentration technique, involving high intensity and

sharply focused introspection. In the Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi Sufi order, for example,

this is particularly evident, where muraqaba takes the form of tamarkoz, the latter being

a Persian term that means "concentration".

Tamarkoz

Tamarkoz is a Persian term that means concentration, referring to the concentration of

abilities, and involves several elements: mind relaxation exercises, deep breathing

exercises, Movazeneh3, deep body relaxation, visualization and heart concentration.

Moreover, Tamarkoz is the 1,400-year-old Sufi practice of concentration and

meditation, and we can define it as art and science of self-knowledge through heart

concentration and meditation allowing the seeker to connect with the reality within. it

enables the individual to connect to one's inner source of energy by accessing the energy

centres of the body. What makes Tamarkoz unique, and separates it from other

meditative practices, is its emphasis on the source of life in the heart, which is the

strongest source of electromagnetic energy in the body, the link between our physical

and eternal realms, and the gateway to the knowledge and reality within.

2
Spiritual Psychology by Akbar Husain
3
(slow movement meditation)
 Tamarkoz is a powerful way of dealing with stress. It is a holistic, practical and

sustainable means of recovering and maintaining health, balance, tranquillity,

fulfilment and discipline in life as it encompasses and cultivates all the human faculties:

physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The goal of Tamarkoz is to help each
4
individual reach the delicate and stable realm of their own being. It follows zikr

session and breaking of fast as well. it has incorporated fusion elements from ancient

yoga of Indian tradition and Chinese tai-chi such as harmonious body movement and

postures. Although it goes beyond concentration, which is limited to the mind, and

moves to the heart - enabling deeper meditation. The practice is built on a series of 5

different exercise groups which use posture, breathing, movement, relaxation,

visualization, and energy work. The exercises include:

 Mental Relaxation

 Movazeneh – Energizing Physical Movements,

 Breathing Exercises – using rhythm, duration and depth,

 Deep Relaxation and Visualization – Achieving Total Relaxation

 Tamarkoz - Exploring the function of the body's energy centers5.

The hath yoga text Amritakunda was translated into Arabic and then Persian. Yoga was,

however, not accepted by mainstream Sunni and Shia Islam. Minority Islamic sects

such as the mystic Sufi movement, particularly in South Asia, adopted Indian yoga

practises, including postures and breath control. Muhammad Ghawth, a Shattari Sufi

and one of the translators of yoga text in 16th century, drew controversy for his interest

4
https://decal.berkeley.edu/courses/32.
5
http://www.techofheart.co/2007/10/tamarkoz-sufi-meditation-beyond.html.
in yoga and was persecuted for his Sufi beliefs.6 Malaysia's top Islamic body in 2008

passed a fatwa, prohibiting Muslims from practicing yoga, saying it had elements of

Hinduism and that its practice was blasphemy, therefore haram.7 Some Muslims in

Malaysia who had been practicing yoga for years, criticized the decision as "insulting."

Sisters in Islam, a women's rights group in Malaysia, also expressed disappointment

and said yoga was just a form of exercise.8 This fatwa is legally enforceable. However,

Malaysia's prime minister clarified that yoga as physical exercise is permissible, but the

chanting of religious mantras is prohibited.

In 2009, the Council of Ulemas, an Islamic body in Indonesia, passed a fatwa banning

yoga on the grounds that it contains Hindu elements.9 These fatwas have, in turn, been

criticized by Darul Uloom Deoband, a Deobandi Islamic seminary in India. Similar

fatwas banning yoga, for its link to Hinduism, were issued by the Grand Mufti Ali

Gomaa in Egypt in 2004, and by Islamic clerics in Singapore earlier. In Iran, as of May

2014, according to its Yoga Association, there were approximately 200 yoga centres in

the country, a quarter of them in the capital Tehran, where groups can often be seen

practising in parks. This has been met by opposition among conservatives. In May

2009, Turkey's head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, Ali Bardakoğlu, discounted

personal development techniques such as reiki and yoga as commercial ventures that

could lead to extremism. His comments were made in the context of reiki and yoga

possibly being a form of proselytization at the expense of Islam. Islam does not

appreciate the multitask concentration and in the holy Quran Allah says if u completed

your task u must enter in another.10

6
Persecution and Circumspection in Shattari Sufism
7
"Sidang Media – Fatwa Yoga
8
"Mixed reactions to yoga ban"
9
"Indonesian clerics issue yoga ban"
10
Surah alam nashrah: 7.
 CONCENTRATION IN HINDUISM

For millennia, people of many religious backgrounds have used meditation as a means

for gaining a better understanding of their faith, their deity, and themselves. Meditation

is used, and viewed, differently among the major religions. In the religion of Hinduism

this art is known as practice of yoga or Dhyana became the way to meditation where an

individual uses a technique, such as focusing their mind on a particular object, thought

or activity, to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. As we explored in

the history of meditation, the practice of meditation as we know it has its origins in

Vedic Hinduism, which returns back its beginnings to the Rig Veda. The Rig Veda 11is

an ancient collection of Sanskrit hymns dedicated to the gods. These four texts are

collectively referred to as the Vedas. According to Hindu beliefs, the Vedas are not of

human origin, or of human agency. They are referred to as shruti12. That is, they have

been directly revealed to us by God. The four Vedic texts are as follows:

 The Rig Veda, containing hymns that are sung by a priest.

 The Yajur Veda, containing formulas that are spoken by a priest.

 The Sama Veda, containing formulas that are sung by a priest.

 The Atharv Veda, a collection of stories, predictions, and hymns used by priests.

Whereas orthodox schools of Indian philosophy regard the Vedas as divine and accept

them as the authority of their faith, other religions such as Buddhism and Jainism regard

the texts as creations of very wise men who gained a level of higher spiritual knowledge.

The Rig Veda's hymns are songs for devas, or deities, especially for Agni, the deva of

fire, and Indra, the deva of the atmosphere and the king of devas. By the 4th century

11
It is one of four sacred texts of Hinduism.
12
means "what is heard."
BCE, Vedic Hinduism had been widely accepted throughout India and had incorporated

local customs and beliefs. This blend is what is commonly referred to as Vedic

Hinduism. The ultimate goal of meditation according to Patanjali is the destruction of

ignorance and the realization of the true nature of the self. Meditation has been practiced

since antiquity in numerous religious traditions and beliefs. Since the 19th century, it

has spread from its origins to other cultures where it is commonly practiced in private

and business life. And it’s also used with the aim of reducing stress, anxiety, depression,

and pain, and increasing peace, perception13 and Wellbeing.14 Meditation is under

research to define its possible health (psychological, neurological, and cardiovascular)

and other effects. The earliest clear references to meditation in Hindu literature are in

the middle Upanishads and the Mahabharata, the latter of which includes the Bhagavad

Gita. According to Gavin Flood, the earlier Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refers to

meditation when it states that "having become calm and concentrated, one perceives

the self (atman) within oneself".

Yoga: path to meditation

Yoga is one of the six disciplines of Hindu philosophy. Yoga is regarded as means of

achieving spiritual mastery, or understanding. There are many types of yoga, including

Raja Yoga, Vedanta, Bhakti Yoga, Japa Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Many westerners who

practice yoga know Hatha Yoga, which is a series of postures and meditations aimed at

raising energy through our chakras. One of the most influential texts of classical Hindu

13
For the 14th Dalai Lama the aim of meditation is "to maintain a very full state of alertness and
mindfulness, and then try to see the natural state of your consciousness.
14
"meditation and happiness: mindfulness and selfcompassion may mediate the meditation–happiness
relationship". Personality and individual differences.
Yoga is Patanjali’s Yoga sutras (c. 400 CE), a text associated with Yoga and Samkhya,

which outlines eight limbs leading to kaivalya ("aloneness"). These are ethical

discipline (yamas), rules (niyamas), physical postures (asanas), breath control

(pranayama), withdrawal from the senses (pratyahara), one-pointedness of mind

(dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and finally Samadhi. Later developments in Hind

meditation include the compilation of Hatha Yoga (forceful yoga) compendiums like

the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the development of Bhakti yoga as a major form of

meditation and Tantra. Another important Hindu yoga text is the Yoga Yajnavalkya,

which makes use of Hatha Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy. Equally valid, each approach

is considered better suited for different types of people, yet all people may practice all

forms of yoga, to varying degrees and at different stages of life. Hinduism’s belief in

reincarnation is essential for their philosophy. It would take many lifetimes to fully

experience all of the Hindu spiritual practices; cloistered monks, devotees of specific

deities, practitioners of yoga, wandering ascetics, and psychic showmen. In the sixth

chapter of Bhavarthadipika commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita by Sri Jnanesvar

(Dnyaneshwar) meditation in yoga is described as a state caused by the spontaneous

awakening of the sacred energy Kundalini (not Prana or Chi), which creates a

connection of the individual soul Atman with universal Spirit - Paramatman.

Buddhist view on meditation and its of attaining complete concentration:

Buddhism is one of the most renown religion or way of life which gives an

extreme importance to one’s concentration, meditation and ability to remain calm even

in adverse and worst situation. Because Buddhism is laid upon the basis of the belief of

four noble truth which emphasis one to concentrate himself to gain a state where he

feels no worry and sorrow about anything related to this real world.
 Often, we could see some words in the classical languages of Buddhism like

bhavana15 ("mental development") and jhana/Dhyana16 (mental training resulting in a

calm and luminous mind), such words are terms used to denote the practise of

meditation. So, the point to be noted here is that the practice of meditation is a religious

ritual for a buddha follower and inevitable custom for him.

Buddhists pursue meditation as part of the path toward liberation, awakening

and Nirvana and includes a variety of meditation techniques so there are some

meditation-related process and terms some of them are asubha bhavana

(Paṭikkulamanasikara), pratityasamutpada, sati, anussati, anapanasati, Dhyana, and

the Brahma-viharas.

Coming into details the terms and techniques as follow:

Asubha bhavana (Paṭikula Namasikara17):

It is a Pali term that is generally translated as "reflections on repulsiveness". It

refers to a traditional Buddhist meditation whereby thirty-one parts of the body are

contemplated in a variety of ways. In addition to developing sati (mindfulness)

and samadhi (concentration), this form of meditation is considered conducive to

overcoming desire and lust.

Pratityasamutpada18:.

15
It is an important concept in Buddhist praxis (patipatti).
16
Dhyana have the core practice of pre-sectarian Buddhism, in combination with several related
practices which together lead to perfected mindfulness and detachment, and are fully realized with the
practice of Dhyana.

17
this kind of meditation is a part of Thai dharma-Thai Buddhism, for more visit: HTTPs,
https://www.facebook.com/buddhismpathtonirvanah/posts/05-asubha-bhavana-foulness-meditation-in-
satara-satipatthana51-the-way-to perfor/896883283705522/[(official Facebook page for
nirvana(salvation)], https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/patikulamanasikara.
18
Pratityasamutpada(Http://Www.Oxfordbibliographies.Com/View/Document/Obo-
9780195393521/Obo-9780195393521-0027.Xml).
 It is commonly translated as dependent origination, or dependent

arising, is the principle which states that all dharmas("phenomena") arise in

dependence upon other dharmas: "if this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that

also ceases to exist" according Buddhist beliefs, relating this theory to the meditation,

we get the meaning that meditation is ones obligation to this belief will mentally

strengthen his spirituality.

Sati:

the word literally means mindfulness or awareness, it is a spiritual or

psychological faculty (indriya) that forms an essential part of Buddhist practice. It is

the first factor of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. "Correct" or "right" mindfulness

(Pali: samma-sati, Sanskrit samyak-smṛti) is the seventh element of the Noble

Eightfold Path.

Anussati:

it means "recollection," "contemplation," "remembrance," "meditation" and

"mindfulness." It refers to specific meditative or devotional practices, such as

recollecting the sublime qualities of the Buddha, which lead to mental tranquility

and abiding joy. In various contexts, the Pali literature and Sanskrit Mahayana

sutras emphasize and identify different enumerations of recollections.

Anapanasati:

Literal meaning of the term is "mindfulness of breathing" ("sati" means

mindfulness; "anapana" refers to inhalation and exhalation]), is a form of Buddhist

meditation originally taught by Gautama Buddha in several suttas including

the Anapanasati Sutta.

Dhyana:
 it is the 7th limb of yoga, building upon asana (physical posture), pranayama

(breath control), pratyahara (control of the senses, moving the focus to the inside), and

dharana (concentration). The word Dhyana comes from the Sanskrit word dhyai, which

means "to think of."

Brahma-viharas:

are a series of four Buddhist virtues and the meditation practices made to

cultivate them? They are also known as the four immeasurable. The Brahma-viharas

are; loving-kindness or benevolence (metta), compassion (karuna), empathetic

joy (mudita), equanimity (upekkha).

These techniques aim to develop equanimity and sati (mindfulness); samadhi

(concentration), samatha (tranquillity) and vipassana (insight); and are also said to lead

to abhijna (supramundane powers). These meditation techniques are preceded by and

combined with practices which aid this development, such as moral restraint and right

effort to develop wholesome states of mind.

Along with numerous techniques of meditation, Buddhist schools are training their

pupils these techniques.as a result of diversification Buddhism into three schools

(namely Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism)19, the

practise of meditation get well rooted in Buddhist culture and now its meditation itself

is counted as a Buddhist trait.

The relationship of Jainism with meditative practices

19
Short description is given in https://www.diamondway-buddhism.org/buddhism/buddhas-teachings/
 Jains believe all twenty-four Tirthankaras20 (such as Rishabhanatha21) practiced

deep meditation, some for years, some for months and attained enlightenment. All the

statues and pictures of Tirthankaras primarily show them in meditative postures Jain

tradition believes that meditation derives from Rishabhanatha, the first tirthankara.

Some scholars have pointed to evidence from Mohenjo-Daro22 and Harappa23 (such as

the pashupati24 seal) as proof that a pre-Vedic sramanic meditation tradition is very old

in ancient India. However, Sagarmal Jain states that it is very difficult to extract the

pre-canonical method of Jain meditation from the earliest sources.

The earliest mention of yogic practices appears in early Jain canonical texts like

the Acaranga, Sutrakritanga and Rsibhasita. The Acaranga for example, mentions

Trataka (fixed gaze) meditation, Prakash meditation (self-awareness) and Kayotsarga

(‘kayaṃ vosajjamaṇgare’, giving up the body). The Acaranga also mentions the tapas

practice of standing in the heat of the sun (atapana).

Let us now look through that had been mentioned in the Jain conical texts and

are now being practiced by both Jainism followers and outsiders:

Preksha and Anupreksha Dhyana:

20
in Jainism, a tirthankara is a savior and spiritual teacher of the dharma (righteous path). There are
twenty-four tirthankara. You can know about them in details in these sites
https://www.ganeshaspeaks.com/predictions/festivals/names-and-symbols-of-24-tirthankaras-of-
jainism/,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tirthankara,https://www.jainworld.com/education/juniors/junles0
3.htm,https://ipfs.io/ipfs/qmxoypizjw3wknfijnklwhcnl72vedxjqkddp1mxwo6uco/wiki/tirthankara.html
21
he is the first tirthankara (ford maker) in Jainism. A mythical leader, he is believed in Jainism to
have lived millions of years ago. He was the first of twenty four teachers in the present half cycle of
time in Jain cosmology, and called a ford maker because his teachings helped one across the sea of
interminable rebirths and deaths (samsara). He is also known as Adinatha (first lord).
22
it is an archaeological site in the province of Sindh, Pakistan. Built around 2500 BCE, it was one of
the largest settlements of the ancient Indus valley civilization, and one of the world's earliest
major cities.
23
it is an archaeological site in Punjab, Pakistan, about 24 km (15 mi) west of Sahiwal. The site takes
its name from a modern village located near the former course of the rave river.
24
pashupati (Sanskrit paśupati) is an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva as "lord of the animals". He is
revered throughout the Hindu world, but especially in Nepal, where he is unofficially regarded as
a national deity.
 perception is the key to this meditation technique, so it is known as Preksha

Meditation. Preksha means to perceive and Dhyana means meditation. In this

technique, one has to observe the internal phenomenon of the body. In the beginning a

person observes the states of the gross body, then the phases of the taijas-sharir (the

electrical body), followed by the vibrations in the karma sharir (the micro body). At a

more advanced stage of the meditation process, the practitioner may succeed even in

witnessing his past life. Thus, while progressing through the gross to the subtle bodies,

the art of visualizing one’s own self may be acquired.

Leshya Dhyana Preksha25: .

according to the Jain theory of karma, leshya meditation is the meditation of

coloring of the soul on account of its association with the karmic matter. The color

of leshya varies from person to person depending on the psychic states and mental

activities behind an action. The coloring of the soul is explained through the analogy of

crystal, that acquires the color of the matter associated with it. In the same way, the soul

reflects the qualities of color, taste, smell and touch of associated karmic matter,

although it is usually the color that is referred to when discussing the leshyas. Paul

Dundas26 notes the key text expressing this Jain doctrine, explaining how the literary

form of the text is helpful in dating and reconstructing the history of transmission. He

wrote that the full statement of the theory of leshya occurs in chapter 34 of the

Uttaradhyayana (a Jain text said to be given by Mahavira27)

25
http://www.preksha.com/ [This Site Contains Introduction To The Practice Of Lekshya Dhyana
Preksha], http://www.preksha.com/meditation/preksha225meditation.asp [This Site Contains Historical
Background Of The Practice Of Lekshya Dhyana Preksha].
http://www.preksha.com/meditation/preksha226meditation.asp [This site contains basic Principles of
lekshya Dhyana preksha]
26
He Is A Senior Lecturer in Sanskrit Language and Head of Asian Studies in The University of
Edinburgh (Born In 1952)
27
Mahavira, also known as Vardaman, was the twenty-fourth tirthankara (ford-maker) of jainism. It is
believed that Mahavira was born in the early part of the 6th century be into a royal kshatriya family. He
abandoned all possessions at the age of 30 and left home becoming an ascetic. Mahavira practiced
Trataka meditation:

Trataka is a Sanskrit word, which means "to look" or "to gaze". It is a method

of meditation that involves staring at a single point such as a small object, black dot or

candle flame. It is said to bring energy to the "third eye" (ajna chakra -it is the sixth

primary chakra in the body according to Hindu tradition.28 It is supposedly a part of the

brain which can be made more powerful through meditation, yoga and other spiritual

practices29) and promote various psychic abilities.

Kayotsarga30:

It is a yogic posture which is an important part of the Jain meditation. It literally

means "dismissing the body". A tirthankara is represented either seated in yoga posture

or standing in the kayotsarga posture. Kayotsarga means "to give up one's physical

comfort and body movements", thus staying steady, either in a standing or other

posture, and concentrating upon the true nature of the soul. It is one of the six essentials

(avasyaka) of a Jain ascetic and one of the 28 primary attributes of a Digambara31

monk. Twenty-one of the

tirthankaras of Jainism are said to have attained moksha in the kayotsarga “standing

meditation” posture.so it is worthy of mention where ever the Jain meditation

techniques are discussed.

intense meditation and severe austerities for 12 years. Died in the 6th century be, for more visit :
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/mahavira, https://www.culturalindia.net/indian-religions/mahavira.html

28
see "the ancient powerful practices of Hindu meditation", "third eye - a thorough explanation"
.and "the third eye and the pineal gland".

29
visit "chakra meditation for deep healing and balancing" and. "chakra meditation to increase your
energy flow"

30
for further information visit: http://www.merinews.com/article/kayotsarga-a-jaina-technique-of-
relaxation/15806607.shtml, https://www.revolvy.com/page/kayotsarga, and refer the book philosophies
of India by Zimmer Heinrichs (1953).
31
Digambar is one of the two major schools of Jainism. The word Digambar (Sanskrit) is a
combination of two words: dig (directions) and amber (sky), referring to those whose garments are of
the element that fills the four quarters of space. Digambar monks do not wear any clothes.
 Zoroastrian way of meditation

Zoroastrian way of meditation is theoretically different from other religions and

lifestyles but it is similar to other techniques of meditation in the terms of practice.

Searching the root of meditation and art of concentration in Zoroastrianism32 we come

across the book written by Nietzsche33 which was named as “Thus Spoke Zarathustra”

(Zarathustra is the name of Zoroaster34 who is the founder of Zoroastrianism35).

In this book he introduces the role of meditation, contemplation and

introspection in achieving spiritual understanding and realization by starting his

prologue with these words:” when Zarathustra was thirty years old, he left his home

and the lake of his home, and went into the mountains. There he enjoyed his spirit and

his solitude, and for ten years did not weary of it. But at last his heart changed….”.36

Even if we can’t find a unique technique of meditation in the religion of

Zoroastrianism. Their daily prayers and Mantra are almost another way of meditation

since their ultimate goal is in life is to "be among those who renew the world and to

make the world progress towards perfection". Its basic maxims include: Humata,

Hukhta, Huvarshta, which mean: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds. These

32
Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/zoroastrianism

33
he is a German philosopher, cultural critic, composer, poet, philologist, and Latin and Greek scholar
born in 15 October 1844 who is known for his writings on good and evil, the end of religion in modern
society and the concept of a "super-man". Died in 25 august 1900.
34
Zoroaster was born in 628 BCE, possibly rages, Iran—died c. 551 BCE, and he is an iranian
religious reformer and prophet, traditionally regarded as the founder of zoroastrianism. For more
details visit: https://www.britannica.com/biography/zarathustra and
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/zoroaster

35
Zoroastrianism: history, beliefs, and practices.

36
Mentioned In
Http://Www.Literaturepage.Com/Read.Php?Titleid=Thusspakezarathustra&Abspage=13&Bookmark.
traits are gained by a person with the help of art of concentrations, meditation and

contemplation.

Sikh Teachings on Meditative Practices

“Lead a life of activity, and earn its comforts with honest hard work. Through

devoted remembrance meet the Lord, and, O Nanak, all worries are dispelled.” 37 (Guru

Granth Sahib)38. The above-mentioned quotation shower light to the presence of

meditative practices and art of concentration in the belief-set of Sikhism and its role in

the Sikhist way of life. The way of Understanding the Divine Wisdom (Hukam, Naam,

Shabad, Brahm-Gyan, etc.) and living according to it, is a Sikh’s meditation.

Definitions:

Hukam (Order): The divine order or law under which everything is performing

its role, a Sikh is told to accept it, respect it and protect it as God’s will.

Naam (Name): Lord’s Virtues (they are countless and unlimited).

Shabad (Word): Referred to the divine word (knowledge); important to note,

Sikh’s eternal Guru is “Shabad Guru” – Guru Granth Sahib Ji.

Brahm-Gyan: Divine Knowledge, which a Sikh has to attain from Shabad Guru

Gurbani (Guru Granth Sahib Ji) says- “(One who) understands these words of Gurbani,

gets absorbed in the Truth”39. Nanak utters the Divine Wisdom”.40

“Without understanding, all are troubled (afflicted, distressed, perplexed)”.41

37
Guru Granth Sahib, Raga Gujari, Mahala 5, p. 522.
38
Guru Granth Sahib Composed by The Sikh Gurus: Guru Nanak Dev, Guru Angad Dev, Guru Amar
Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan Dev, Guru Tegh Bahadur
39
Quotation from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Mentioned in Page 412
40
Quotation from Sri Guru Granth Sahib Mentioned in Page 370
41
Quotation from sri guru granth sahib mentioned in page 791
“Without understanding, (one) cannot obtained the Realm (of Truth).”.42

According to Sikhs, Gurbani is Divine Wisdom and the Way of Gurbani is

Understanding, so it has no room for dogma, or rituals, or counting beads, going to

recluse to meditate or leaving families & friends behind in the name of spirituality.

Gurbani stresses the most on the concept of Naam Simran (contemplation on Lord’s

virtues or continuous remembrance of Lord).

According to some of prominent scholars of Sikhism, only one who’s mind has realized

divine knowledge can remember him all the time. As the Sikhist meditation is

concerned in finding divine presence within one’s mind. But one could find that there

is some sect of Sikhs who do meditation in the way Naam Japna (often known as wahe

guru meditation, it is the term used for the remembrance of God by repeating and

focusing the mind on His name or identity, according to a specific sect of Sikhs). Such

sect of Sikhs seeks their supportive arguments from the book of Randhir Singh43 named

“jail chittian”44 (letters from jail) where he describes his hard times of solitude and his

instruction to the practice of Naam Japna where he select the name “Waheguru”45 as

naam for his Naam Japna meditation. Both sects are rooted in the holy Book of Sri Guru

Granth Sahib (S.G.G.S) as their basis of meditation but the variation is due point of

views of each, and interpretations of them, whereas the former sect focus on the

figurative meaning of the S.G.G.S teachings and the later sect focus on the literal

meaning of the S.G.G.S instruction on the format of meditation.

42
quotation from sri guru granth sahib mentioned in page 412
43
he was a Sikh leader who started the gurdwara sudhaar movement, and founded the akhand kirtani
jatha. Born in July 7, 1878 in Narang Wal and he died on Vaisakhi, April 13, 1961
44
Autobiography of bhai sahib randhir singh written by himself. He was charged in 1914 with waging
war against the British crown and had to undergo life-imprisonment from 1914 to 1931.he wrote this
book in his life-imprisonment duration.
45
the word, according to Sikh belief, means the wondrous lord who dispels the darkness of ignorance
and bestows the light of truth, knowledge and enlightenment
Distinction of Christian meditation from other religions

The religion of Christian does not approach the art of concentration as other religions

do. Firstly, they do not say concentration as their fundamental rule nor their obligation

practices. There are also differences between Buddhism concentration and Christian

concentration which are in their basic readings. Christian religion whether eastern

scholars or western scholars both of them aims the meditation or concentration to fill

the mind with thoughts related to Biblical passages or Christian devotions, while other

types of meditation may suggest approaches to disengage the mind.46

St. Teresa of Avila47

She was used to perform the contemplative prayer for periods of one hour at a time,

twice a day. She was the one who appreciated more this art than others and she believed

in it more than a mere art. She believed that one who is faithful in the practice of

meditation cannot lose his soul simply. Her writings are viewed as fundamental

teachings in Christian spirituality.48 St. Teresa taught her nuns to meditate on specific

prayers. Her prayers described in The Way of Perfection involve meditation on a

mystery in the life of Jesus and are based on the faith that "God is within", a truth that

Teresa said she learned from St. Augustine. St. Theresa viewed Christian meditation as

the first of four steps in achieving "union with God", and used the analogy of watering

the garden. She compared basic meditation to watering a garden with a bucket,

Recollection to the water wheel, Quiet (contemplation) to a spring of water and Union

to drenching rain.49

46
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney 1997. Chapter 3, Part2:
Meditating on God's Word.
47
(1515–1582) a Doctor of the Church.
48
Christian spirituality: themes from the tradition by Lawrence S. Cunningham, Keith J. Egan 1996
page 96.
58. Teresa of Avila: The Book of My Life by Tessa Bielecki, Mirabai Starr 2008 page 20.
49
A history of Christian spirituality: an analytical introduction by Urban Tigner Holmes, page 98
Eastern Christian meditation can involve the repetition of a phrase in a specific physical

posture, and can be traced back to the Byzantine period. Between the 10th and 14th

centuries, hesychasm was developed, particularly on Mount Athos in Greece, and

continues to the present. It involves the repetition of the Jesus prayer. [17] It is possible

that there were interactions between Hesychasts and the Indians or the Sufis, but this

cannot be proven. [18] [19] Western Christian meditation contrasts with most other

approaches in that it does not involve the repetition of any phrase or action and requires

no specific posture. Western Christian meditation progressed from the 6th century

practice of Bible reading among Benedictine monks called Lectio Divina, i.e. divine

reading. Its four formal steps as a "ladder" was defined by the monk Guigo II in the

12th century with the Latin terms lectio, meditation, oration, and contemplation (i.e.

read, ponder, pray, contemplate). Western Christian meditation was further developed

by saints such as Ignatius of Loyola and Teresa of Avila in the 16th century. [20] [21]

[22] [23]