Psychologies Magazine, July 2001 —
Every summer, tens of thousands of French people dedicate a few days to taking care of their "soul". The guesthouses of Catholic monasteries are packed – sometimes you have to book more than a year in advance – and the two hundred or so Buddhist centers in France are fully booked.
This enthusiasm is not a passing fad. The phenomenon has grown over the years and, I am convinced, reflects a genuine need. Contrary to what one might imagine, a significant proportion of those who undertake these retreats are not practicing Catholics, nor even believers. The need being expressed is not necessarily "religious." It is rather a need to step back; to find inner renewal; to recharge not only the physical body, but also the innermost being. Ancient philosophers asserted that one cannot philosophize without "returning to oneself," which requires silence and solitude. "Withdraw into yourself, and you will find your good there," said Epictetus.
This need for reflection is all the more keenly felt given that, in our current lifestyles, the "outside world" consumes so much of our time. Constantly bombarded by family, friends, social life, work, leisure activities, and television, how much time do we dedicate each day to being alone with ourselves, in true inner silence? Yet, this daily time for rejuvenation is as essential to our minds as eating, sleeping, or breathing are to our bodies. Why? Because our minds need space. Too caught up in thoughts and worries, subjected to a multitude of external stimuli, they suffocate. As a result, we lose clarity, discernment, and inner peace. We easily become prey to our emotions: the slightest thing irritates us, we suffer from anxiety and fear, we are restless.
This worry gnaws at us, we sleep poorly, our relationships with others deteriorate, and we enter the vicious cycle of stress. Yet, for centuries, people have developed techniques allowing the mind to "breathe" and regain the calm it needs. The basics of meditation are simple. Choose a suitable place and time to reflect undisturbed: a bedroom, a garden, a place of prayer. The morning, before starting your activities, is the best time. Position is also important. The seated posture, with legs crossed, perhaps with a cushion for support, is the most suitable: it is comfortable, allows the body to release tension, and, according to Eastern traditions, promotes the flow of subtle energies. Finally, you must allow the mind to be "present" to itself. This is achieved by letting thoughts flow by, observing them without clinging to them, and maintaining attention on the breath. While the mind may be distracted and agitated at first, one gradually achieves mental calm and a "conscious presence," as Buddhists say, which allows the mind to find itself and take up all the space it needs. Even if only ten or fifteen minutes a day are available, it is crucial to commit to this exercise daily.
I was fortunate enough to learn to meditate about twenty years ago, and I can attest to the invaluable worth of those thirty minutes devoted each day to cultivating this inner space. It is a gradual process through which, little by little, day by day, the intensity of disturbing emotions diminishes and inner peace increases. From this intimate silence, believers can connect more deeply with God in prayer, and Buddhists can meditate more profoundly to allow wisdom and the natural light of the mind to grow. But without going so far on a religious level, everyone can already find inner relaxation and serenity in this simple daily practice. It is priceless… and as free as the air we breathe.
July 2001