Meditative Reading

All the world’s religious and spiritual traditions have developed ways of contemplating or meditating on their sacred scriptures. India’s Vedanta teaches three steps for turning words into wisdom. They are:

1. 'Shravana': Hearing, listening (reading)
2. 'Manana': Thinking, deep reflection
3. 'Nididhyasana': Meditation

Shravana - Listening

In the classic three-step model of Vedanta, the first step of ‘shravana’ means listening to sacred scriptures. One has to bear in mind that in ancient times, sacred Hindu Scriptures like the Vedas and the Bhagavad-Gita were only transmitted orally. They were therefore called ‘shruti’ – that which is heard. In our modern day context, we might just as well call this first step ‘reading’.

Manana - Reflection

The second step, ‘manana’, calls for deep reflection on what has been read. This step is very important and is easily overlooked especially in our modern society. We are all used to reading and digesting an almost overwhelming amount of information. While this may be both necessary and beneficial regarding worldly and technical knowledge, it is the wrong approach when dealing with spiritual texts. Reading too many sacred texts too fast and too mixed up will only lead to confusion and a sort of ‘spiritual constipation’. ‘Manana’ can be seen as an important step in ‘digesting’ what has been read, pondering over words just like a ruminating cow.

Nididhyasana - Meditation

The third step, ‘nididhyasana’, means to deepen and internalize this process even more by meditating on the truths and images that were previously reflected upon. ‘Nididhyasana’ (meditation) means to go beyond rational thought, thereby realizing the essence of those truths or images. Adi Shankara, the famous South-Indian teacher of Advaita Vedanta, described the fruit of these three steps as 'nirvikalpa samadhi' (state of ecstatic non-dual awareness) and 'nirvana' (liberation of individual existence).

An Exercise in Meditative Reading

• Reading: Read a short passage of a spiritual text like the New Testament, the Bhagavad-Gita or any other inspirational text (not more than two or three pages). While reading, take notice of any powerful images and truths that you feel are particularly important or moving. Then read the passage once or twice again.
• Reflection: Now close your eyes and either visualize an image of that text or ponder a thought that you felt was remarkable. Try to feel yourself into the image/ thought and relive it intensely. Allow yourself be touched by what you read.
• Meditation: Retaining the essence of those reflections and feelings, abandon all reflective thinking and enter into a formal meditation. Choose a suitable meditation technique such as watching your breath, repeating a mantra, concentrating on your third eye, visualizing the inner light or simply being mindful of your thoughts and feelings.
• As a final step, let go of this formal meditation as well and simply rest in silence. This last step is crucial, since this is where effortless, spontaneous realization may happen.

End the exercise with a few deep breaths or a stretch and open your eyes. You may wish to round up the session with a short prayer, poem, mantra or song.

From Information to Transformation

If practiced with dedication and concentration, these three steps will ultimately lead to self-realization. However, Vedanta explains that in order for this process to be successful, there is some ground work first to be done. This is elaborated in the Four Means of Practice (‘sadhana chatushtaya’) of Vedanta.

Literature: Viveka-Cudamani of Sri Shankaracharya

Woman practicing Meditative Reading

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