"Throughout this book I shall refer to theories and practices of
contemplation stemming primarily from ancient Greek philosophy, Christianity,
and Buddhism. As we shall see, although each of these traditions has unique
qualities, they have important similarities. The English word "contemplation"
derives from the Latin _contemplatio_, which corresponds to the Greek
_theoria_. Both terms refer to a total devotion to revealing, clarifying, and
making manifest the nature of reality. Nowadays, "contemplation" usually means
thinking about something. But the original meaning of "contemplation" and
"theory" had to do with a direct perception of reality, not by the five
physical senses or by thinking, but by mental perception. For example, when
you directly observe your own thoughts, mental images, and dreams, you are
using mental perceptions, which can be refined and extended through the
practice of contemplation. How then does meditation relate to contemplation?
The Sans
krit word _bhavana_ corresponds to the English word "meditation," and it
literally means "cultivation." To mediate means to cultivate an understanding
of reality, a sense of genuine well-being, an virtue. So _meditation_ is a
gradual process of training the mind, and it leads to the goal of
_contemplation_, in which one gains insight into the nature of reality.
"Within the Greek tradition, the practice of meditation can be traced back
at least as far as Pythagoras (c. 582-507 B.C.E.), who was influenced by the
Orphic religion and mysteries, which were focused on freeing the mind from
impurities and opening up its deeper resources. Pythagoras was the first to
call himself a _philosopher_, "one who loves wisdom," humbly rejecting the term
_sophos_, or "wise man." And in his wide travels through the Mediterranean
region and beyond, he did indeed seek wisdom, understanding."
(Wallace, Alan B., 'Mind in the Balance: Meditation in Science, Buddhism,
and Christianity', pp.8-9)
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