' The Fullest Meaning '...

Many complain that they are unable in meditation successfully to bring their active thoughts to an end.

In the ancient Indian art of yoga, this cessation--called nirvikalpa samadhi in Sanskrit--is placed as the highest stage to be reached by the practitioner.

This situation must be viewed from two separate and distinct standpoints: from that of yoga and from that of philosophy.

Would-be philosophers seek to become established in that insight into Reality which is called Truth.

Intuitive feeling is a higher manifestation of man's faculties.

So long as the feeling itself remains unobstructed by illusions, and--after incessant reflection, inquiry, study, remembrance, reverence, aspiration, training of thought, and purification--a man finds the insight dawning in his mind, he may not need to practise meditation.

He may do so and he will feel the satisfaction and tranquillity which comes from it.

Those who become sufficiently proficient in yoga, even if they achieve the complete cessation of thoughts, should still take up the pursuit of understanding and insight.

If they are content with their attainment, they can remain for years enjoying the bliss, the tranquillity, the peace of a meditational state; but this does not mean knowledge in its fullest meaning.




-- Notebooks Category 20: What Is Philosophy? > Chapter 4:
Its Realization Beyond Ecstasy > # 138 Paul Brunton