Definitions of meditation

1. Defining meditation as the work of settling the inner mind

If we define meditation as the work of settling the inner mind, then meditation is a verb. It is the practice, the cultivation, of the inner mind, and does not mean an outward action of the body. If there are methods that combine inner cultivation with bodily movements, those movements are only secondary; the practice within the mind is the essential point. Examples are walking meditation, the tea ceremony (meditation through drinking tea), and archery (meditation through shooting the bow).

To say that one meditates in every posture and every circumstance means always trying to keep the mind pure while one is working or dealing with outside affairs. The practitioner must, as it were, divide the mind in two, one part for handling the work and one part for watching over the mind. Though it is hard, the merit of practising in this way is very great.

2. Defining meditation as the state of a settled inner mind

This second definition gives meditation the meaning of a noun. It is a state of the inner mind that has changed from the time it was restless and agitated. However, according to the degree to which delusive thoughts diminish, the mind will have different states.

The first basic state is mindfulness with clear awareness (Chánh niệm Tỉnh giác). This is when the mind begins to be free of distraction and constantly remembers its own work of practice. Delusive thoughts remain, but they are noticed the moment they begin to arise, so they do not cloud the mind or lead it wandering from one thought to another. The mind is in a state that is spacious, bright and light.

The deeper one goes into concentration, the more excellent states occur, but in parallel with the quieting of delusive thoughts, the power of clear awareness also grows stronger and stronger. Meditation never means an inner mind that is quiet but dull and clouded. Meditation must always be both free of delusive thoughts and clearly aware. This is also why, when we begin to practise meditation, we must train in knowing the whole body, knowing the breath, knowing the inner mind, and so on.

Delusive thoughts are dissolved and controlled by knowing, not by avoiding or covering them over. Some people avoid delusive thoughts by thinking about some other matter. Some people cover delusive thoughts over by holding a beautiful image in the mind.

The advantage of knowing delusive thoughts clearly is that the deeper we go, the more we discover the mistakes in our own morality and can correct them. Methods of avoiding or covering over do not have this advantage.

To help the knowing become strong and bright, we must never suppress, strain the brain or concentrate too hard. We only need to gently know the whole body clearly, and gradually the knowing will grow strong by itself. Our whole body is a special apparatus that will help the power of clear awareness grow stronger when we constantly know the whole body clearly.

3. Defining meditation as a whole beautiful life

With the third definition, meditation is an overall picture of a good and beautiful life in many respects. Of course, the foundation of meditation is still a calm and still inner mind, but people also expect meditation to be a whole life that is saintly and exemplary, yet at ease, free and unfettered, full of wisdom and shrewdness.

Because the peak of an inner mind that is wholly wholesome is precisely a settled inner mind, deep in their hearts everyone believes that a person who practises meditation must have an ethical life full of virtuous conduct. Anyone who understands meditation as merely a settled inner mind with no connection to ethics has understood it wrongly. A person who practises meditation must always be highly ethical and saintly.

A person who practises meditation also knows how to control the mind, and so always knows how to restrain themselves in the face of excessive amusements. Therefore their life is very exemplary and serious. They may be humorous, but never flippant. They know how to admire art, but are never intoxicated by it.

A person who practises meditation is not obstinate, and so is very at ease and free. Useless customs that bind people will no longer be accepted. Flashy, showy forms will no longer be taken seriously. A person who practises meditation values the true worth of ethics, happiness and wisdom.

A person who practises meditation constantly keeps clear control of themselves, so after a long time they become refined in his perception of outside matters. Thanks to this, wisdom also gradually develops. A person who practises meditation can judge everything in life more deeply and thoroughly, and therefore becomes wiser as well. Besides its main meaning of inner stillness, people who practise meditation are always highly regarded for their whole character and wisdom. For this reason, people often no longer say "practising meditation" but "living meditation".

4. A composed style

Composed is the opposite of hurried, rash and impetuous. A composed person never opens their mouth to speak before they are sure their words will be good, and never decides to act before he is sure of the result of the action. It is precisely careful consideration before speaking or acting that gives a person who practises meditation a composed style. This has its cause in the hours of sitting in silence observing oneself, eliminating common agitations from deep within. When the mind grows calmer, we drop meaningless words and actions and like to say only things of true value. From then on, the person who practises meditation restrains themselves and does not allow themselves to speak or act carelessly.

Besides this, being composed also means not liking to show much, so one speaks little and only when truly necessary. A person who makes progress in meditation naturally no longer has the desire for everyone to take notice of them. Sometimes we must shoulder work entrusted to us by our teachers and friends, but we take care of the work only for the benefit of everyone and not for personal prominence. However, we should also distinguish this from people who speak little because they have nothing to say, who are coarse, naive and simple. Not everyone who speaks little is deep and composed. Some who speak little are very hot-tempered. Some who speak little are very malicious, holding for a long time what others did to offend them and hoping for a chance to pay them back.

5. A cheerful style

What is special is that a person who practises meditation has a cheerful style even though composed.

Sometimes we come across figures in stories or films of heroes who are composed, deep, hard to fathom, and at times tinged with a faint romantic sadness. That style is not like that of a person who practises meditation. A person who practises meditation speaks little, yet their face is gently joyful. We will see that they seem both to hold nothing in the mind and to be filled with something precious. We see that they are both sharp and, at the same time, friendly and approachable. However, though cheerful in style, a person who practises meditation is anxious and troubled about the fate of the Buddha's Dharma, and is never irresponsible. Whether the Dharma flourishes or declines has its cause in the practice and propagation of the Buddha's disciples, and is not by chance.

Question: Reflect on yourself about the things that fit, or do not yet fit, the style of meditation.