The supernatural meaning of meditation

1. The two-sided nature of the universe

What science today has discovered about the material that makes up the universe is only one side. At first, the material making up the universe was matter, consisting of chemical elements with the atom as the basic structure. Then other forms of existence, which cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as electromagnetic fields, radio waves, plasma, lasers and so on, continued to be classed as materials of nature, of the universe. All these materials make up the great heavenly bodies in the universe, such as galaxies.

But one thing that troubles scientists is that the calculated figures for the mass of matter in the universe do not match the actual movement of the heavenly bodies. It seems there is still some ten times more mass, hidden, that science has not yet found.

We do not yet know when that hidden mass of material will be found, but according to the Buddha's teaching, we know there are many more metaphysical realms, such as the heavenly realms, the realm of hungry ghosts and the hells. It may be that the very existence of the heavenly realms has affected the movement of the heavenly bodies. According to the Buddhist cosmology, there are metaphysical realms alongside the material realm in which we dwell; alongside beings with material bodies, there are beings with supernatural bodies who exist in metaphysical realms. We may provisionally call that supernatural material the spiritual. And so the universe is formed of at least two materials: matter and spirit. What that spiritual material is has not yet been studied by science so as to establish a logical system of reasoning. Nevertheless, if we wish to understand more clearly the universe or the origin of life, we must pay much attention to the presence of the universe's spiritual material.

2. Meditation as a path to finding the truth of the universe

Whereas science sets out to seek the truth of the universe by the material path, Buddhism seeks the truth of the universe by the path of meditative concentration. Besides the benefits of liberation, ethics and peace, meditation also gives us an understanding of the universe as we gradually advance into inner stillness. As we gradually advance into stillness, our mind also advances into the spiritual world and gradually escapes from the material world. Then our view of life also changes a great deal, and we cling less to worldly fame and gain. We can say that the link between the two materials of the universe, matter and spirit, lies precisely in the minds of beings. We cannot go looking for the mystical realms by any technical means, however advanced that technology may be. We can find the spiritual side of the universe only by passing through the settled inner mind. The deeper we enter concentration, the more clearly the universe is laid bare.

When the mind abides in concentration, the body and this material world gradually fade and no longer matter as they did before. Yet the practitioner's mind becomes more clearly aware and more lucid. It is precisely that clear awareness that makes the practitioner confident that his new vision is not an illusion.

In addition, the special abilities that gradually appear further prove the reality of that spiritual world. The saints can know things from afar, know in advance what is to come, know what is hidden, and may have many other supernatural powers. In Buddhism in particular, one who is said to have attained Arahantship (Arahanta) must possess all six kinds of supernatural power. An Arahant can know the causes and conditions from his own countless past lives, or of any other being, and of course knows clearly how the law of karmic cause and effect has closely governed the lives of beings. The law of cause and effect is an extremely important principle of the universe. Lacking an understanding of cause and effect, we lose a large part of the truth in human knowledge. (Buddhist schools must quickly bring the study of karmic results into the curriculum.) An Arahant can see beings existing in the other metaphysical realms such as the heavenly realms, the hells, the hungry ghosts and so on. Those realms are both independent of and related to our human realm. Understanding the metaphysical realms clearly helps us to live more rightly, more ethically, more humbly, and above all not to fall into superstition. Misunderstanding the metaphysical realms is the cause of superstition. Denying the metaphysical realms is, in turn, a grave defect of knowledge. Meditation develops the latent spiritual power in each person. In fact, even muscular strength has a part of the spiritual factor.

Intelligence too has a part of the spiritual factor. When the mind is pure, spiritual power gradually develops, supporting muscular strength and the activity of the brain.

It can be said that a quiet and lucid inner mind is the door that opens onto an inexhaustible treasury of the spirit, or the door that connects with the higher realms.

The mind also has a two-sided nature, like the universe. When it is agitated, that mind is stuck to the material world. When it is pure, that mind gradually turns upward towards the spiritual world. This is an important principle of the mind.

3. Being wary of illusions and superstition

Although meditation has a very great supernatural meaning, if we are not skilful we may easily go astray into illusions and superstition.

Illusions are images or sounds that appear in the mind and that we take to be real entities, so we are lured into a fantastic, absurd world until we can no longer be ordinary people. Such illusions may be created by our own inner mind, or caused by beings in the metaphysical world. Of course, all of it is governed by karma. We have somehow lost merit, and so illusions appear to disturb our consciousness. Those illusions may be the Saints we long to revere, secret dreams, mysterious pasts, strange and beautiful realms, peculiar beings, wonderful words of teaching, and so on. If we do not understand clearly, we will believe these illusions are real and then follow them curiously for ever. Sometimes we may even be proud, thinking we have succeeded on the path of practice.

Or, when we hear that meditation is a supernatural path, we may hear false, absurd, mystical and deceitful explanations of the metaphysical realms from false teachers. They embroider or infer things that do not accord with the truth, only to elevate themselves as if they were divine, claiming to be in contact with the metaphysical world, enticing people to believe in them so as to exploit them for gain and enjoyment. Therefore, although we know that meditation is a supernatural path that goes beyond the world, we should not pay much attention to spiritual powers, but should concern ourselves only with ethics and virtuous conduct. If we assess anyone's practice, we also base it on ethics and virtuous conduct. If we hear someone speak of lofty and strange things, we should not be swayed, but should pay attention only to that person's ethics and virtuous conduct.

4. The temporary realm

Everything in the world is impermanent and changing, and does not last long. This material world is not a place where we will stay for ever. If we practise correctly, we will gradually ascend to higher realms, the heavenly realms that the Buddha so often mentioned. However, correct practice is judged by what we manage to do for this present world. Therefore, although we are not attached to the world, we are very dedicated to this world. That is the truest Middle Way. But even the higher supernatural realms are not the ultimate goal at which Buddhism aims. The Buddha's ultimate goal of liberation, Nirvana, is a supreme state that no words can fully describe.

Question: Explain the meaning of meditation as both supernatural and practical.