Meditation is just one word, but its meanings seem endless.
How can such a simple term be so complex?
In our philosophy class, we played a game: Explain meditation without using new words.
Can you do it?
I couldn’t. Even after 15 years of bi-weekly Buddhist classes, I still found it too hard.
The Buddhist definition we explored on Sunday was:
I turned to my Sifu and asked:
“Why can’t I define this one word, even though we’ve covered it so many times?”He explained it through 圓寂 (Yuen ji)
圓寂 (Yuen ji)
- 圓 (Yuen): It means awareness of all aspects of Dharma. Dharma is the system of life. Dharma is the ultimate word. It includes everything that exists — past, present, and future.
- 寂 (Ji): Signifies the silence and disappearance of the ego.
So what does this mean?
If the ego is active, we haven’t yet reached every angle of understanding.
It’s like having a strong opinion and defending it fiercely. The more angles we explore, the more flexible and relaxed we can be, whether we argue or not.
Fresh Perspective
This dual concept has given me fresh perspectives on my spiritual journey.
Not every angle is correct.
Buddhist philosophy says that judging an angle is an ego test. It’s about whether we have a complete view. This insight nurtures patience and focus, allowing me to value my ongoing learning.
What strikes me most is that true freedom is internal.
We do not need to seek it. We can simply enjoy and experience life as it is.
My martial arts practice aligns with this idea. It’s not about learning a new move. It’s about using those moves to gain freedom from being confined to any single method. The goal is to move in any direction with intention, logic and art power.
It is freedom from my limitations. Not a freedom to find.
Buddhism and Martial Arts
Buddhism and martial arts converge in their teachings.
True freedom and enlightenment are not about escaping the world. They are about understanding and embracing it.
Buddhism teaches that everything is in constant change. This leads to endless views that make life astonishing. Once we accept we can hold and be free from any view, life becomes more relaxed.
So, that open heart brings kindness to ourselves, purifying our intentions.
This brings us back to the definition:
“Meditation is to open our hearts with the wisdom of true kindness to purify our blind intentions. Joy and contentment appear.”
Conclusion
Getting stuck in a single point of view is all too easy.
It’s harder to stay open-hearted as we become more skilled.
But remember, that’s one subject.
We are novices in everything else. Embracing that humility is a harsh lesson. It’s always going to be easier for me to say and write. It’s a battle to practice. But that battle is meaningful.
When we humbly open our hearts, we already practise pure kindness.
Original notes below:
Sunday summary
Meditation is to open our heart with wisdom ,
kindness heart, and purify our blind intention.
The true joy and contentment will naturally appear.
圓寂 Yuen ji
圓 Yuen –
Aware all the angle of Dharma
寂Ji –
Ego is silent and disappear.
Once we able to see all the angels of Dharma, no point of view to limited on blindness
See all the angle then no ego.
Observe with
patience and concentration to be aware of the system of life and how incredible it is.
Incredible free, without have to free.
Incredible out of reincarnation, within reincarnation.
Not understand Illusion is empty .
Don’t see the freedom to create kindness heart dharma, that’s how we create ego and feel like we are inside reincarnation.
☸️🙏😊
