Meditation Motivation

Meditation has become quite popular in the last few years. It seems that this practice waxes and wanes over time, as interest in it—or lack of thereof—drives the cycles. The current trendiness in meditation is often motivated by those who live in the fast lane and are beset with struggles of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty associated with a frenetic existence. Those who seek meditation for these reasons are usually practicing primarily for the purpose of achieving a state of calm and relaxation. That's fine, but there's a far more profound purpose for meditation.

The deeper motivation for pursuing meditation transcends the simple goal of reducing one's stress and tension. Dedicated meditators throughout history have sought the more meaningful impacts of a long-term, devoted practice. I recently came upon a teaching of Shenzin Young, an American mindfulness teacher and neuroscience research consultant. He listed five benefits of an extended practice of contemplation, which I will briefly summarize here. The first four of these benefits do result in positive effects that the practice can have on oneself, and the fifth will motivate the practitioner to engage in some kind of service to the world. Popular forms of meditation rarely address work on behalf of others... they are overwhelmingly focused on the self.

The first benefit of prolonged meditation described by Shenzin Young is the reduction of suffering. This is precisely the motivation that led the Buddha to this insight, over 2500 years ago. He was deeply disturbed by the fact that virtually everyone suffers from what he termed dukkha, which can be translated as a form of affliction caused by an underlying feeling that often arises… an uncomfortable and periodically persistent feeling of dissatisfaction with one's life. He identified the source of that suffering as our propensity to grasp and hang on to things that will inevitably fade away. He laid out a program of action to face that dissatisfaction—the major element of which is a steadfast practice of meditation that gradually clears the mind of illusions. As a result, suffering begins to diminish.

The second through fourth benefits of meditation soon follow. They are: (2) to come to see what the fulfillment of one’s life truly is, (3) to begin to understand your deeper self, and (4) to begin to make positive behavioral changes in yourself. This process is a gradual awakening that enriches life and improves one's conduct. These are all worthwhile accomplishments for oneself.

I was particularly struck, however, by the fifth benefit that Shenzin Young listed: that a person will spontaneously feel the rise of love from within and want to be of service to the world. I find this crucial, because it is not the result of a mentor or authority telling you to do good in the world—it naturally and spontaneously arises from within. That makes the motivation to meditate much more important, I believe.