Notes on the article by Anne Carolyn Klein “Seeing Mind, Being Body. Contemplative Practice and Buddhist Epistemology.”
The name of this article suggests that we are to be taken on a journey through the study of the nature and the knowledge behind the belief in Buddhist tradition. The author makes a strong point that it is impossible to grasp the idea of Buddhism only by reading texts, that is, only by considering the information the words carry. Instead, she shows that each word is basically charged with experience or experiential practice of the wisdom it holds, and that it is impossible to look into the living practices of Buddhists without considering such vital part as the energy work.
Buddhist practices are aimed at several dimensions of learning, such as physical, aesthetic, psychological, emotional, energetic, sensory, intentional, and attentional. We find that meditation engages not only the intellect of the person, but rather the entire being, including the body with its intrinsic dynamics, the energetic flows, and yet it is this part of the whole process that is often overlooked.
The author explains in detail how the energy is used within the Buddhist practices. She brings in the term “energetic sensibility” in the meaning of the ability to appreciate and respond to the energy work within the practices described, pointing out that the types of energy involved in meditation work are not limited to the human body, which eliminates the idea of a person separated from a contrasted background; in Buddhism all is considered parts of the the same energetic system. In fact, there is no separation between the energetic flows in mind and body, and thus, the famous Western separation of the two is impossible from the perspective of energetic sensibility.
The author leads to the detailed description of the practice of meditation, explaining how energy works within it in consideration of the fact that energy is responsive to attention. Bringing attention to a certain point yields specific results. Through meditation with attention on one’s body Buddhists are able to achieve the deep inner feeling of the impermanence while feeling their bodies as a vibrating mass of sensations. Being aware of these subtle energetic movements within oneself one is more likely to stay in the present and not get lost in the thoughts and concepts that carry him away to the past or the future.
Klein is outlining a well-developed critique of Western epistemologies. She is saying that through the body, we have a way of knowing that is outside of cognitive process and our concepts of perception through the five senses. Her main critique is that Western thought systems have no way of recognizing this facet of Buddhist epistemology.
Energy work is addressed in many World traditions, not necessarily linked to a specific religion or a belief system. In our times we can easily find teachers or readings on specific techniques that allow us to access and work with our energies. Yet, what I have noted is that most (if not all) of them require a sort of concentration that is very similar to that we aim at in meditation.
As explained in the article, the type of focus we would seek in meditation is somewhere in the middle between complete relaxation and the action of trying hard. It seems that this is the approach used in all energy work that we can find information on. For example, in order to be able to see the aura of the person, one must relax his eye muscles being awake and alert at the same time. To be able to sense the aura of another person or to sense the energy of an object with their hands, one must also find that perfect balance between alertness and relaxation. The same, in fact, is true for dancing and talking – it only works when you are relaxed and alert at the same time (the article describes speech as energy flow).
If we look deeper into what is happening through the philosophy of this article, we realize that , for example, talking to a public, delivering a message is at its highest point when we sort of let it flow. Letting it flow is very similar to letting go of the “grabbing”, the holding on which is described in the article in terms of holding on to one’s idea of self. It seems to be a similar effect in the moment of speech if the speaker lets go of the idea of self and becomes a source of information, the deliverance becomes more natural and easy.
Another important point that caught my attention was the necessity of a physical alignment of the body with the energetic channels. In the diverse population of my city I notice that it is those with a straight up back, sort of pulled upwards by the top of their heads, who seem to be most fit and alert at any age, and especially this is notable among seniors, regardless of their religious beliefs and practices. I have been noting these characteristics as a habit of observing physical appearance of people and comparing it to their general wellbeing for many years now, and I can not express the satisfaction in finding the theory behind them that comes from ancient traditions, philosophies, and beliefs. In this article it is explained that a straight posture allows for the right flow of energy within the body, which in turn leads to a balanced wellbeing.
The meditative state aimed at achieving the conscious presence in the moment is the idea behind any true deep wisdom. Wisdom, together with love, compassion, and energetic sensibility, Klein says, are all profoundly receptive. This means that they only receive whatever comes their way and do not add or subtract anything. This is the perfect state of non-judgement, which is essential in the search of the focus on the present moment, because to stay in the present one must let go of the judgement of whether it is better or worse that the past or the future. This approach to life in general seems to be the most beneficial for any person. Acceptance of reality the way it is shown to us is the ultimate key to moving through it naturally.