Meditative Duality

Abstract

Meditation opens the senses, clears the mind, and releases the body: the pinnacle of a state of relaxation and heightened awareness. When an individual is meditating, they will let go of all the troubles of life and proceed to enter a state of mind: empty of burdens yet filled with peace, as if the physical boundary of the head is opened and the liberty of endless exploration is unravelled. The process of meditating ultimately culminates in the achievement of release; the release of societal responsibilities, the release of psychological strains, and the release of physical wariness. After meditation, an individual feels much more at ease and content with themself; a vital sense of refreshment is accomplished, and the individual is ready to confront the new day with renewed energy and confidence. Now more than ever, in our globalised society, where everything and everyone is more inter-connected than ever before, a place of solidarity and tranquillity becomes increasingly necessary. Living in the contemporary era means our lives become ever more complicated, with commitment to work, family and friends filling up our daily schedules. Time for the individual, however, is seemingly lost, and it is this loss of freedom that gradually increases stress levels which develops into anxiety, depression, and other mental issues. A place of meditation can benefit the individual’s mind, body and soul, and it is through meditation that one can release all burdens of the world to achieve revitalisation from the feeling of peace and harmony. I will explore meditation through the selection of four distinct, but connected themes of Refuge, Pilgrimage, Memory, and Mā 間(relationality).