Monthly Archives: April 2009

Meditations on First Philosophy Review

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A Quick Review on Meditations on First Philosophy

Rene Descartes is the author of the book “Meditations on First Philosophy: In Which the Existence of God and The Real Distinction of Mind and Body are Demonstrated.”

There are six meditations which were discussed in the book.

First Meditation

“Your senses can deceive you.” This is the main point in the first meditation wherein it figures out how information with the use of senses can sometimes mislead you to achieving facts.

During this stage of meditation, the author taught to himself that he is irate, dreaming, or even tricked by a demon. Hence, he contemplated in order to fight such way of thinking.

Second Meditation

The focus of the second meditation is representation. Theoretically, it is termed as “representationalism.” There were five steps incorporated in the said theory wherein it conveys detachment of the world from one’s mind.

The said theory led to the idea that the awareness of a human being to his environment implies his own existence.

Third Meditation

On the third meditation, the author’s focal point involves the three basic types of ideas (1) Volition or Desire; (2) Feelings or Affections; and (3) Judgment.

Volition is defined as the ability for you to choose and decide mindfully. On the other hand, feeling is described as occurrence of sentimental and emotional state. Alternatively, judgment is a condition where an individual forms an opinion after contemplation.

Fourth Meditation

Knowing the truth and fallacy is the quest which the author undertook on the fourth meditation. He also cited that the common sources of fault are will and understanding.

Understanding takes the definition of a state wherein an individual comprehends thoughts and actions around him. Descartes in his book explained that such attribute is sometimes presented by God in partial.

Will, on the other hand, is a mental gift wherein an individual choose or decide towards an action or event. If understanding sometimes come partially as stated by the author, will can be presented wholly or none at all by the Supreme Being.

Fifth Meditation

The notion of material objects concerns the author on the fifth meditation. He also stated three arguments under this category such as:

1. God is the definition of a great perfect human being.
2. Faultlessness is an essential part of subsistence.
3. God exists.

Sixth Meditation

In the external environment of one’s self and God, there is a possibility that materials exists. It is like saying that such elements are present and real for the reason that God is capable of creating them.

During the last meditation, the author arrives at three realities. First, there is a God who is infinite. Secondly, there is a soul. Thirdly, there are material elements or things. The second and the third are obtainable, however with limits or restrictions.
The author also identifies some irregularities in his meditation. He is still perplexed with why there is a sense in limbs which are surgically removed, or why there are senses in dreams and dropsy.

To fully understand the writings of Descartes on the said book, it is recommended that you completely read Meditations on First Philosophy.

The Battle between Mindfulness and Active Meditation

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Optimistic or pessimistic thoughts and feelings, noises, the things you see – everything around you, may it be distraction or not should be received as you do mindfulness meditation. You are not to exclude anything with this type of meditation; all you need to do is sit down in peace and perceive any past or present events and feel any emotions you might encounter in the course of meditating.

Mindfulness meditation however is contradictory to active meditation. This type of meditation involves not pure sitting but letting your body move – from slow to intense movements. It is a process where a practitioner can undo all suppression as well as negative emotions by letting the body move and easily go into stillness.

Posture Talk

Posture is important in mindfulness meditation so that energy will flow better. A comfortable seating position should be selected; it does not matter whether it is lotus, Burmese or Seiza positions. Let your hands rest on top of your thighs. The palms of your hand should be on a downward position.

On the other hand, posture is not extremely important with active meditation. You can do any movements you wish to undertake such as walking, dancing, or stumping of feet. Shouting, laughing and crying can be incorporated as you move.

The Meditation Process

Once you have assumed a comfortable seating position, you are now ready to undertake the mindfulness meditation wherein you need to become aware of the current moment. You should experience what is happening right now at this very moment where you would welcome yet slowly dissolve the fear, rage, qualms, and reservations in life.

Mindfulness meditation teaches you to be conscious of what is happening in your life as well as your environment. It lets you witness the good and the bad events. Most importantly, it lets you respond in a positive way to the matters you have become aware of.

Release of tension and stress may be the comparable factor between mindfulness and active meditation. There are five processes a practitioner should undertake with active meditation.

1. Do frenzied and unsystematic breathing. This is done with the belief that it is through breathing which invites repression so it is also in breathing that it will be freed.
2. Act mad. This is done in order to free yourself from negative emotions you are keeping within. When you do this step, you need not be serious. You need to act mad and play with your body. Jump, dance or jog if you want to. Let shouting, laughter or wailing accompany your actions.
3. Release Hoo! You need to repeatedly say, scream or yell “Hoo!” By doing this, you are increasing your sex energy.
4. Stop. Whatever position you are in when the leader says stop, immediately put an end to everything that you are doing and be still with the position you have. Now is the time to discern.
5. Celebrate.

The type of meditation to undertake varies from one person to the other. There are instances that mindfulness meditation may work well for you but not for your partner. The most important aspect of meditation is the result – you need to feel good and relieved.