The great and rare mystics of the past . . . were, in fact, ahead of their time, and are still ahead of ours. In other words, they most definitely are not figures of the past. They are figures of the future.
Ken WilberRead
Meditation, then, is not so much a part of this or that particular religion, but rather part of the universal spiritual culture of all humankind--an effort to bring awareness to bear on all aspects of life. It is, in other words, part of what has been called the perennial philosophy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Meditation transcends specific religions and is a universal practice that enhances awareness in life.
Ken Wilber's quote emphasizes that meditation is not limited to any single religious context; instead, it is a fundamental part of humanity's spiritual heritage. It highlights how meditation serves as a tool for increased awareness, fostering a deeper understanding of oneself and the interconnectedness of all aspects of life. This aligns with the concept of perennial philosophy, suggesting that there are universal truths that exist across different cultures and religions.
Themes
MeditationAwarenessSpiritualityUniversalPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech on mental health, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of meditation for everyone.
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So it is a good idea to start simple, I think, and be very careful. There is a spiritual opening in the Kosmos. Let us be careful of how we fill it. The simplest is: Spirit or Emptiness is unqualifiable, but it is not inert and unyielding, for it gives rise to manifestation itself: new forms emerge, and that creativity is ultimate. Emptiness, creativity, holons.
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It is flat-out strange that something-that anything-is happening at all. There was nothing then a Big Bang, then here we all are. This is extremely weird.
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