Serene Reflection Meditation is a Buddhist technique that helps cleanse the meditators’ hearts and awakens compassion, while expressing it through selfless activities(1).
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
-Buddha
Serene Reflection Meditation is a practice from the Soto Zen Tradition of Buddhism. It intends to help keep the moral Precepts of Buddhism in the practitioners’ external behavior of serving others, along with the inner practice of cleansing one’s heart(1). It is believed that the technique can help cast off the meditators’ attachment to body and mind naturally, allowing them to attain wisdom and enlightenment(2). However, it can take anywhere from days to an entire lifetime or beyond to attain the result. It depends on the spiritual evolution of the practitioner’s soul.
A primary aspect of Serene Reflection Meditation is that it requires just sitting without any deliberate thought(2). Through the practice of this meditation, one can open the door to carefree peace and rid their mind of doubts and vacillation. Many believe that there is no other technique that offers greater spiritual comfort, deeper understanding, and awareness than Serene Reflection Meditation(2).
History/Origins
Serene Reflection Meditation originates from the Soto Zen Tradition(1)and the term has been in use since the time of Great Master Wanshi Shokaku (1091-1157)(2). “Serene reflection” comes from the Chinese characters “mo” (moku) and “chao” (sho). Mo stands for “dark, secret, silent, serene, and profound.” It also means “to close the lips, to become silent”. Cho signifies “the brightness of the sun”. It stands for, “to reflect upon, to look upon, to have insight into”. Thus, the meaning of “Serene reflection” translates to, “silent illumination(2)“.
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.
-Buddha
Benefits of Serene Reflection Meditation
A research article published in the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing(3) informs that reflective meditation techniques help cope with life-threatening breast cancer. Additionally, such meditation methods have the ability to enhance self-acceptance and self-worth, while helping to manage loss, grief, fear, and anxiety.
Another research paper by Robert Fisher(4) suggests that reflective meditation practices are good for encouraging learning and creativity in children. The techniques are beneficial for adults too, as reflective meditation helps with stilling the mind, encouraging mindfulness, and providing optimum conditions for generative thinking and reflection. Hence, Serene Reflection Meditation can benefit people of all ages.
References
- Order of Buddhist Contemplatives | Serene Reflection Meditation: The Sōtō Zen Tradition of Buddhism
- Shasta Abbey | Serene Reflection Meditation (Paperback) by Rev. Master P.T.N.H. Jiyu-Kennett
- Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing | Volume, 16 Issue 1 | 2012 | Autoethnography: Reflective Journaling and Meditation to Cope with Life-Threatening Breast Cancer by Patricia Ann Sealy
- Thinking Skills and Creativity | Volume 1, Issue 2 | 2006 | Still Thinking: The Case for Meditation with Children by Robert Fisher
