Why we need meditation
WHY WE NEED MEDITATION
by Lama Yeshe
From the beginning of human evolution on this planet, people have tried their best to be happy and to enjoy their lives. And, over this time, they have developed an incredible number of different methods in pursuit of these goals. Among these methods we find different interests, different jobs, different technologies and different religions. From the manufacture of the tiniest piece of candy to the most sophisticated spaceship, the underlying motivation is to find happiness. People haven't made these things for nothing, have they? So, we're all familiar with the course of human history; beneath it all is the constant pursuit of happiness.
However, and Buddhist philosophy is extremely clear on this, no matter how much progress you make in material development, you'll never find lasting happiness and satisfaction; it's impossible. Lord Buddha stated this quite categorically. It's impossible to find happiness and satisfaction through material means alone.
When Lord Buddha stated this, he wasn't just putting it out as an intellectual skeptic, as some kind of theory. He learned this through his own experience. He tried it all: "Maybe this will make me happy; maybe this will make me happy; maybe this will make me happy." He thoroughly checked out every trip, came to a conclusion and then outlined his philosophy. None of his teachings are dry, intellectual statements.
Of course, we know that modern technological advances can solve physical problems, like broken bones and bodily pain. Lord Buddha would never say these methods are ridiculous, that we don't need doctors or medicine. He was never extreme in that way. But whatever pain or pleasure we experience, any sensation, is extremely transitory. We know this ourselves; it's not just theory. We've experienced the ups and downs of physical existence ever since we were born. Sometimes we're weak; sometimes we're strong. It's always changing. But while modern medicine can definitely help alleviate physical ailments, you'll never ever find anything you can take to cure the dissatisfied, undisciplined mind. There's no medicine known that can bring satisfaction.
Physical matter is impermanent in nature; it's transitory, it never lasts. Therefore, trying to feed desire, to satisfy the dissatisfied mind, with something that's constantly changing is hopeless, impossible. There's no way to satisfy the uncontrolled, undisciplined mind through material means.
In order to do this, we need meditation; meditation is the right medicine for treating the uncontrolled, undisciplined mind. Meditation is the way to perfect satisfaction. The nature of the uncontrolled mind is sick; dissatisfaction is mental illness. What is the right antidote to that illness? It's knowledge wisdom; understanding the nature of psychological phenomena; knowing how the internal world functions. Many people understand how machinery operates but they have no idea about the mind; very few understand how their psychological world works. Knowledge-wisdom is the medicine that brings that understanding.
Lama Yeshe gave this teaching at Anzac House, Sydney, Australia, in April 1975.
Edited by Nicholas Ribush.
This article has been made available with gratitude from the Foundation for the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT) "How to Meditate" module of their Discovering Buddhism Home Study Program. click here