What is meditation?... It is fleeing from the self, it is…
“What is meditation?... It is fleeing from the self, it is a short escape of the agony of being a self, it is a short numbing of the senses against the pain and the pointlessness of life. The same escape, the same short numbing is what the driver of an ox-cart finds in the inn, drinking a few bowls of rice wine or fermented coconut-milk.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Meditation is an escape from self‑pain, a temporary numbing of life's suffering.
In simple terms: Meditation numbs self‑pain.
Key Takeaway
Use meditation wisely, not as avoidance.
Themes
meditation
escape
self‑pain
Mood
introspective
serious
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- stress management
- spiritual retreats
- creative blocks
Key Concepts
existentialism
spiritual practice
Questions to Reflect On
- When is meditation a true aid?
- How to balance escape and engagement?
A Different Perspective
Escaping may avoid necessary growth.