Meditation in the Wild
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley December 3, 2013
Author Charles M Fisher PhD
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ISBN: 9781780996929
Publisher: Changemaker-books
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Website: http://www.changemaker-books.com
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Meditation in the Wild is complex, contemplative and once commenced very difficult to put down. It is a documentation of an ideal, coupled with years of learning and practice in the discipline of Meditation. It makes you think, wonder and reflect which to my way of looking is what the book is essentially all about: Looking at and learning to live your life in a better, more relaxed, productive and peaceful manner which can only be of benefit to self and those around you.
What is Buddhism? Simply put it is a science of the mind or a philosophy which focuses on contemplative practices, observation and deduction: Which all ends up in education of which, if you follow the pathway, can end up in enlightenment and transformation of the human heart.
For the past 2500 years Buddhism has been practiced by many, commencing in the Indian subcontinent and spreading throughout the world, with it becoming the fastest growing religion in the world today. But what has this got to do with Meditation in the Wild? Well plenty as it would seem as in the in the course of his research into the basic fundamentals of the art of Buddhism particularly that of the Forest Monks, Fisher takes a thorough look at what goes into and makes up Buddhism.
As Fisher goes on to explain the art or the basic underpinning of the philosophy is to spend time in meditation which will encourage and enhance your way of looking at life. He focuses, among several other areas on that of the Forest Monks whom, throughout history have removed themselves from society in order to devote their lives to meditation. There is of course a bit more to this than simply renouncing civilisation, it is done as a commencement to spiritual training and also to keep alive the early traditions of the Buddha and his disciples, who would return to the woods and forests to meditate and work towards attaining enlightenment.
By using this aspect of Buddhism as a focus Fisher leads us into a world that is attainable to all who desire to move from the ordinary to the extra-ordinary in the ways they go about living their lives. While he recognises it is not possible for most people to remove themselves from the daily “grind” they can learn from the forest monk’s way of living in that the basics can be used daily to enhance your life.
In the introduction he discusses his close encounter with the bear. He was caught unawares while out walking. Initially he was not worried but was forced to rethink when said bear decided that perhaps he should come and have a closer look. Rather than stand there and have an ever more curious bear decided to take a closer look, Charles moved away.
Though this experience he took honest stock of how he reacted, reflecting on the change in his body, the thoughts at the time and his reactions. Once this reflection was complete, he then revisited the experience and considered what he had learned in perhaps a similar way as to how the Forest Monks undergo their learning experiences in the forests of India and Thailand.
Did it make him a better person: undoubtedly as he was able to understand the bears perspective: Could he apply this to his lifestyle: definitely! Would he spend time reflecting on the experience time and time again, indubitably! – all of which underlines the discipline that comes with following the pathways of enlightenment of the Buddhist way.
The book is complex, contemplative and once commenced very difficult to put down. It is a documentation of an ideal, coupled with years of learning and practice in the discipline of Meditation. It makes you think, wonder and reflect which to my way of looking is what the book is essentially all about: Looking at and learning to live your life in a better, more relaxed, productive and peaceful manner which can only be of benefit to self and those around you.