Agnostic Meditations on Buddhist Meditation

Abstract. I first attempt a taxonomy of meditation in traditional Indian Buddhism. Based on the main psychological or somatic function at which the meditative effort is directed, the following classes can be distinguished: (1) emotion-centered meditation (coinciding with the traditional samatha appr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Deleanu, Florin (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Open Library of Humanities$s2024- 2010
In: Zygon
Year: 2010, Volume: 45, Issue: 3, Pages: 605-626
Further subjects:B emotion-centered meditation
B Mahāyāna
B epistemology of meditation
B insight (vipassanā)
B meditation and happiness
B consciousness-centered meditation
B subject / object duality
B Placebo effect
B Early Buddhism
B visualization-centered meditation
B Tantric Buddhism
B Theravāda
B physiology-centered meditation
B tranquility (samatha)
B crēdō effect
B Buddhist Meditation
B reflection-centered meditation
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Summary:Abstract. I first attempt a taxonomy of meditation in traditional Indian Buddhism. Based on the main psychological or somatic function at which the meditative effort is directed, the following classes can be distinguished: (1) emotion-centered meditation (coinciding with the traditional samatha approach); (2) consciousness-centered meditation (with two subclasses: consciousness reduction/elimination and ideation obliteration); (3) reflection-centered meditation (with two subtypes: morality-directed reflection and reality-directed observation, the latter corresponding to the vipassanā method); (4) visualization-centered meditation; and (5) physiology-centered meditation. In the second part of the essay I tackle the problem of the epistemic validity and happiness-engendering value of Buddhist meditation. In my highly conjectural view, the claim that meditation represents an infallible tool for realizing the (Supreme) Truth as well as a universally valid method for attaining the highest forms of happiness is largely based on the crēdō effect, that is, a placebolike process. I do not deny that meditation may have some positive effects on mental and physical health or that its practice may bring changes to the mind. Meditation may be a valuable alternative approach in life and clinical treatment, but it is far from being a must or a panacea.
ISSN:1467-9744
Contains:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2010.01117.x