Meditation and Merkaba: A Research on the Ancient History of Meditation

Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny. - Lao Tzu

Meditation is a practice that has long been associated with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light. Meditation classes have been taught in the community of Aba Sadiq and have been broadcast through various media platforms and shows presented by some of the AROPL members. It is a common practice in the community of Aba Al-Sadiq and aligns with his teachings of purifying oneself and mind. Let's investigate together what are the origins and benefits of this practice and if it has roots in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

"Guided Meditation" aired in 2022 on the BBE Satellite Channel

Meditation is a practice that involves focused concentration on a single point, which can elevate awareness, dissolve harmful habits, and even heal deep-seated trauma. By centering on the present moment and allowing thoughts to pass like clouds, one seeks a state of unity. Through consistent and dedicated practice, meditation can foster a greater sense of tranquility, personal well-being, or connectedness to all life, and can awaken a non-judgmental, conscious awareness of a higher power.

Although the concept of meditation may evoke different ideas for different people, the goal seems to be universally understood. In the modern era, its benefits are widely recognized, with estimates suggesting that 200-500 million people practice meditation worldwide. For the medical field, meditation is an untapped goldmine, offering potential savings in hospital costs, drug research and development programs, and sick days, which amount to an estimated £18 billion loss per year in the UK alone.

Archaeologists working in the Indus Valley, South Asia, have found depictions of meditation in wall art dating as far back as 5,000 BCE. 

Throughout history, different cultures and faiths have employed various techniques to achieve these goals, ranging from regulated pranic breathing to specific yogic postures. In ancient Greece, oracles like Hestia achieved transcendental states by focusing on moving flames for divine inspiration. Judaic Levite priests like Aaron or the Prophet Moses would retreat to sacred spaces, anointed with oils like cinnamon or cannabis, to receive divine messages. The chanting of specific verses, whether by Jewish devotees at the Wailing Wall, Sufi Islamic dervishes, or Buddhist practitioners, all reflect a universal pursuit of divine connection. 

A look into ancient and historical sources will reveal, which civilisations used the practise of meditation thus far. 

ANCIENT EGYPT – HERMETIC MEDITATION: ‘As Above, So Below’

In all sciences, we look to the pioneers who have paved the way, and meditation and alchemy are no exceptions. The Hermetic symbol of the divine hexagon, "as above, so below," reflects the idea that the soul's layers can be peeled back, revealing fractal-like connections between inner and outer worlds, microcosms within macrocosms, governed by universal laws. 

Hermes Trismegistus in the Corpus Hermeticum wrote:

"It chanced once at a point in time my mind was meditating on the things that are, my thought was raised to a great height, the senses of my body being held back."

In Hermetic tradition, through meditation, we are meant to realize that the divine animates all things. As Hermes Trismegistus wrote,

"Birth is not the beginning of life – only of an individual awareness. Change into another state is not death – only the ending of this awareness."

Hermes reminds us that, through meditation, we can reconnect with our true nature and trust in divine guidance. The Corpus Hermeticum encourages disciples to seek out serene and holy adepts who can guide them through the ethereal worlds, transcending the limitations of the five senses to experience pure truth with the soul's inner eye.

'Know Thyself and Know Thy Lord' – The Delphic Maxim

Pythagoras, around 500 BCE, spent many years on Mount Carmel in silent and solitary meditation before establishing his academy. Through such contemplative experiences, he uncovered principles that govern the universe and sought to align with the universal way.

“Learn to be silent. Let your quiet mind listen and absorb.” - Pythagoras 

Hence, afterward, he formed an academy and encouraged his adherents to practice introspection through silence and seclusion to gain insights into the true nature of reality, while also humbling themselves, fostering self-discipline, and cultivating self-awareness. Today scholars believe, the syllabus consisted of meditative practice at least three times a day.

Never allow sleep to close your eyelids, after you went to bed, Until you have examined all your actions of the day by your reason. In what have I done wrong? What have I done? What have I omitted that I ought to have done? If in this examination you find that you have done wrong, reprove yourself severely for it; And if you have done any good, rejoice. Practise thoroughly all these things; meditate on them well; you ought to love them with all your heart. It is those that will put you in the way of divine virtue. (The Golden Verses of Pythagoras)

Socrates - recognized by the Oracle of Delphi as the wisest person of his age - realized that he knew nothing from himself—his knowledge was inspired by the ethereal world beyond and the divine. He had the habit of meditation through self-examination and introspection, cultivating emotional preparedness for the challenges he would face as a conduit for the divine message of God.

“One of you, O men, is wisest, whoever, just as Socrates, has recognized that when it comes to wisdom, he is indeed worthy of nothing.” - Oracle of Delphi - Plato Apology 21-23

According to Gellius (Attic Nights 2.1.1-3), meditation was a habitual practice for Socrates: upon arriving at a house, Socrates would take a post at the neighbor’s porch and stand meditating. Aristodemus would intervene and ask the host to let Socrates be, as this was a habit of his, regardless of time and place. (Plato Symp. 174d-175c). Socrates was a master of the reflective process who “joined his thoughts with himself,” standing still from morning through the night until the next morning, showing commitment to the process despite outside pressures. It was such a sight that others brought their bedrolls outside to watch. In the morning, he greeted the sun with prayers for the new day.

This path led to the creation of divine mystery schools, such as the Eleusinian Mysteries, where meditation was one of the core principles, embodying the concept of 'Theurgy'—how God works through meditation to dissolve our bodily desires.

"Without a doubt, the soul is perfectly meditated when it is not disturbed by anything—neither by hearing, sight, pain, nor delight—but is isolated as much as possible within itself, saying farewell to the body. When it avoids, as far as possible, every collaboration and contact with it, it flows in reality." (Phaidon 65c-d)

Plato, a student and successor of Socrates, was himself inspired by divine wisdom. He realized that true metaphysical gnosis or knowledge comes from within. His mental focus on the sacred geometry of 'Platonic forms' helped elevate his consciousness through the ethereal world, enabling him to reflect on philosophical concepts such as the cave allegory and the true nature of our matrix world.

“We do not learn; what we call learning is only a process of recollection.” (Plato, Meno)

In Alexandria, there was a great revivalist movement inspired by Ammonius Saccas and Plotinus around 200 AD, known as the neo-platonic movement. Dynamic visualization meditation or 'Henology,' from Plotinus’ book The Enneads, was at the core of these teachings. The individual seeks to absorb themselves back into the source, the original substance of all things, the primordial cause. Henosis or "one-pointed awareness" aims to dissolve the self into the source—Monad or unitary consciousness. It is a practice of inner stillness and receptivity, where we open ourselves to the presence of the One and allow ourselves to be transformed by its radiance and beauty. The philosophers referred to this as the process by which we unite with the original goodness, above the demiurge or Satan (the creator of this material world that holds us in sensory, egotistical chains). Through this concentrated process, all illusory divisions are reconciled into one, and the person dissolves and converges with the divine absolute. Empedocles reflected that this was the key for humans to reclaim their divine awareness of their inner selves, which is lost when we grow too attached to the mortal world and our bodies.

Plotinus believed that contemplation is not a passive or escapist activity but a dynamic and creative process that involves the active participation of the soul. Through contemplation, we not only receive divine illumination but also have the potential to become co-creators with the One, bringing forth new forms of beauty and harmony into the world. This was not merely an individual pursuit but a way to prepare a community platform of like-minded souls to remove evil from the world. Plotinus taught that the path to spiritual enlightenment involves letting go of attachment to the material world and cultivating a sense of equanimity and inner peace. 

This deep meditative process influenced Carl Jung's concept of the collective unconscious, highlighting the integration of the psyche and confronting one's shadow self to evolve and break free from limitations. This is the essence of inner alchemy—transmuting base aspects of the self into spiritual gold by facing head on our fears and illusions.

Modern psychotherapy today is influenced by the Plotinian approach, encouraging clients to focus on their inner world and the things they can change—such as their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors—rather than trying to control external circumstances or manipulate other people. By cultivating detachment and inner peace, individuals can become less reactive to the ups and downs of everyday life and better able to navigate challenges with grace and equanimity.

The Role of Meditation in Healing and Self-Discovery in Vedic Tradition

The pioneers from the Orient, such as Buddha, Rama, Krishna, and Arjuna, were deeply immersed in meditative practices as a core part of their teachings. Known as Para Vidya—'that knowledge' which helps better understand the unknown— through meditation, deeper esoteric knowledge can be gained. Swami Vivekananda, a disciple of Lord Buddha, taught that knowledge is inherent in man; it comes from within, not from outside. What we say a man "knows" is really what he "discovers" or "unveils" from his own soul, which holds infinite knowledge.

From this, we understand that the soul is wrapped in layers, and learning is a process of unveiling them, like flower petals. Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom, creativity, and the fine arts, sits on a white lotus. In meditation, we sit in a lotus position, making our body a vessel to receive divine light. Like the lotus, which remains pure despite growing in mud, we must seek to perfect our inner light even in the midst of darkness.

In Vedanta, ‘Dhyana,’ or contemplation, is a key practice of yoga, a path to reach ‘Samadhi’ and self-knowledge. 

"Meditation is the highest virtue. Meditation is the foremost austerity. Meditation is the greatest purity. Therefore, be fond of meditation." Garuda-Purana (222.10)

Much of our suffering and anxiety comes from illusions created in the mind. Meditation and self-reflection can help clear these illusions. 

“When afflictions appear in our behavior (vrttis), meditation helps to counter them” - Patanjali (2.11).

This is an internal struggle to overcome negative traits and egoistic desires that come from our darker self. The rishis in deep meditation discovered that things like self-importance (abhinivesha), dislikes (dvesha), likes (raga), and false ideas about ourselves (asmita) distract us and make us forget (avidya) that we are pure awareness. This process is like clearing the mind to reconnect with the divine soul.

“A gradual progression towards deep inner integration (samprajñata samadhi) develops through subtle refinement of attention from reasoning (vitarka), to contemplation (vichara), to joy (ananda) and then to the sense of being (asmita).” Pantanjali (1.17)

The Vedic texts reveal that physical healing can be induced as well by focusing on a single point.

“The disturbances can be neutralized by meditating on a single principle of reality.” - Yoga Sutra (1.32) 

These disturbances—ignorance (avidya), egoism (asmita), attachment (raga), aversion (dvesha), and the fear of death (abhinivesa)—are linked to most of the mental and physical suffering we experience. By overcoming cravings, lust, and keeping a balanced mind, we allow divine consciousness into our lives.

"Better than mechanical practice is knowledge; better than knowledge is meditation." Lord Krishna,  Bhagavad Gita (12.12)

Krishna taught that meditation offers deep insight and that peace follows when we let go of attachment to the results of our actions. Visualization and meditation on a single point help unravel these deeper truths.

"A firm light hath been set for men to look on: among all things that fly, the mind is swiftest. All Gods of one accord, with one intention, move unobstructed to a single purpose." Rig Veda (6.9.5)

ABRAHAMIC FAITHS

When we reflect on the mainstream teachings of the three Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—we often find that the practice of meditation has been forgotten or neglected. In modern times, it has even become taboo in certain sects. However, on closer examination, we discover that meditation was one of the keys to the awakening and teachings of these divine messengers of God. They taught that self-renunciation and contemplation, particularly the struggle with one's ego, were central to self-purification.

In the book of Genesis (24:63) it states:

"And Isaac went out to meditate in the fields at the eventide, and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and behold the camels were coming."

Hebrew kings and judges such as David and Joshua taught that meditation on the word of God brings one into harmony with the way of truth and serves as a means of self-purification.

The Book of Joshua (1:8) instructs:

"The book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

This contemplative process aligns the spirit of truth with the heart and mind, as expressed in Psalm (19:14):

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

Proverbs (23:7): reinforces the power of thought in shaping who we are:

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

Synchronously, a 40-day journey was undertaken by three of God's covenant prophets—Jesus, Moses, and Prophet Mohammed —who sought spiritual awakening through deep meditation. The same 40-day practice of 'Sadhana,' a deep meditative path, was followed by Ananda with Lord Buddha.

The prophet Elijah anointed Elisha as his successor after a 40-day journey into the wilderness, which culminated in divine awakening in a cave at Mt. Horeb.

"He traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God" (1 Kings 19).

Moses spent forty nights in self-purification in the wilderness before receiving divine revelation (Exodus 24:18). Likewise, Jesus fasted and meditated for 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism to achieve self-purification, resisting temptation from the Devil (Luke 4:1-2). His experience on the mountaintop, where he was offered the kingdoms of the world, symbolized his readiness to rule mankind as a Messianic King, promoting God’s supremacy.

Jesus' meditative practice is highlighted throughout the Gospels. He sought solitude before key events, such as in the Garden of Gethsemane and when choosing his apostles (Luke 6). After John the Baptist was beheaded, we are told in Matthew 14:13,

"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place."

The 40-day retreat or 'Khalwah' is also present in Islam. Prophet Mohammed retreated to the cave for deep meditation before receiving divine revelations, making him fit to deliver God's message. His teachings emphasize the power of meditation:

"Whoever dedicates to God for forty days, the wellspring of wisdom shall manifest itself from his heart to his tongue" - Abu Nu'aym, Hilyat al-Awliya, 5:189

Ibn Ata'illah offers this wisdom:

"Nothing benefits the heart more than a spiritual retreat wherein it enters the domains of meditation" - Al-Hikam al-'Ata'iyyah, no.12

Meditation leads us to reflect on ‘Dhikr,’ or remembrance of God, which connects us to His supreme truth. 

In the Quran it states,

"They are those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth and pray, “Our Lord! You have not created this without purpose. Glory be to You! Protect us from the torment of the Fire." - Quran 3:191

True self-purification comes through meditation and reflection on God. Prophet Mohammed emphasized contemplation over ritual:

"An hour of contemplation is better than a year of worship" (Al-Amudi, Ghurar Al-Hikam, No.6537).

Over time, much of the Islamic meditative tradition has been lost, remaining mostly in rituals and prayers. Sufi Tariqah focuses on ‘Dhikr’ to achieve heightened states of God-consciousness or Taqwa. However, without connection to the living Imam, such practices may lose their efficacy.

Abi Hamza Thumali narrated from Abi Abdullah that he asked:

“Can the earth remain without an Imam?” He replied: “If the earth is without an Imam for a moment, it will indeed sink into itself.”

Thus, those who have severed this connection now wander blindly, their mantras and chants becoming like mere hand clapping, causing no harm or benefit. In short, most forms of meditation and dhikr are practices that can raise our spiritual awareness and bring us closer to God, but only if and when we follow and are obedient to the living Imam, or divine king sent by God.

AROPL TEACHINGS

Ahmed Al-Hassan taught us that there are 3 core principles to reflect upon to help us on our soul path: ‘Meditation, Exercise and Diet’. The message today mirrors the truth from all the original religions of God and we turn to the words of some of the previously unknown prophets that have been revealed to us today.

Just as Jesus, upon realizing the corruption in religious institutions, retreated to solitude to be alone with God, Ahmed did the same when he became aware of the corruption in the religious schools of Najaf, Iraq. He sought refuge in isolation to reflect and connect with the Divine.

In this new era, we are taught that through deep meditation, we can unravel knowledge about our souls, like accessing a hard drive to recall fragments of our past. Ahmed teaches us that the universal seed within us can be unfolded by deep inner meditation and sincere devotion to God. Ahmed Al-Hassan said:

"[There is] a seed inside every human being. Some people are able to bring it out and accentuate it, and some people are not. The entire matter goes back to the human being himself. Some do not because they do not want to or because they have not tried. ... Do not speak or act without first considering all aspects, and when you take a decision or commit to an action, do not abandon it. When you speak a word, never abandon it. But always do so with righteousness and for the sake of Allah, after deep and thorough contemplation. Do not let anyone on earth influence you to change your words except with proof from Allah."

Ahmed Al Hassan, God’s divine messenger in this age, has taught us the critical value of contemplation to awaken from our slumber and apathy towards the world’s suffering. We must recognize the condition of the nations that came before us and how they dealt with their Prophets, as nations such as Babylon, Egypt, Canaan, and Sodom betrayed figures like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Lot, so that we do not repeat these mistakes.

Aba Al-Sadiq's message emphasizes spiritual purification, urging us to look within ourselves to achieve this goal. While meditation is a valuable practice, it is not sufficient on its own; it must be combined with a strong belief in the Imam of our time and accompanied by meaningful action. Meditation helps clear away negative thoughts and purify our hearts, but true transformation requires a holistic approach that integrates inner reflection, faith, and active engagement in our lives.