Meditation
Generally speaking, the Kebatinan follower believes in the existence of a superconsciousness in the cosmic world which is beyond humankind's comprehension, yet controls and guides humans' affairs and destiny. This superconsciousness is believed to be contacted via meditation. There are several meditation techniques (tapa):
- tapa Ngalong (meditation by hanging from a tree)
- tapa Pati-Geni (avoiding fire or light for a day or days and isolating oneself in dark rooms),
- tapa Senen-Kemis (fasting on Monday-Thursday),
- tapa Mutih (abstention from eating anything that is salted and sweetened, only eat/drink pure water & rice),
- tapa Ngebleng (not Eat-Drink for several time, usually 3-5-7 days )
- tapa Ngadam (stand/walk on foot from Sunset till Sunset, 24 Hours in Silence)
- tapa Kungkum (Meditation under small waterfall or meeting point of 2-3 rivers / Tempuran / Tjampuhan)
Fasting is a common practice employed by Javanese spiritualists in order to attain discipline of mind and body to get rid of material and emotional desires. Many Kebatinan followers meditate in their own way to seek spiritual and emotional relief. These practices are not performed in churches or mosques, but at home or in caves or on mountain perches. Meditation in Javanese culture is a search for inner self wisdom and to gain physical strength. This tradition is passed down from generation to generation.
Read more about this topic: Javanese Beliefs
Famous quotes containing the word meditation:
“And hiving wisdom with each studious year,
In meditation dwelt, with learning wrought,
And shaped his weapon with an edge severe,
Sapping a solemn creed with solemn sneer.”
—George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
—Bible: Hebrew Psalm XIX (l. XIX, 14)