The Inner Power for Modern Times

It is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree's greatest strength lies and this is equally true for humankind. As much as we have evolved, we find our strengths embedded in our roots. Often, we find our lives on the brink of chaos, mind aimlessly meandering through the unknown and we end up thinking things were better before. “Siila” is one such virtue that stems from our roots. Siila is an ancient concept, a moral compass for mining into our inner self and guiding our actions. The origin of the word ‘Siila’ goes back to 2500 years ago used in ancient ways of life and yet very relevant in the current times. Siila in simple words means moral discipline, one of the three stages along the eightfold path in Buddhism and the foundation of the non-sectarian Vipassana movement.

The Five Precepts

Buddha, the enlightened one promoted five precepts for laymen to follow which asks everyone to refrain from: taking life, refrain from taking what is not given, abstain from sexual misconduct, refrain from incorrect speech and finally refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness. These principles are mistakenly perceived as possible only for monks and considered impractical for the common people to adopt in day to day lives. However, on the contrary, they are quite simple. We are well aware that our world today is struggling with a myriad of problems making our lives stressful. The world is changing dynamically and keeping the peace is only one of the many problems we face today. Life has become demanding than ever before. Well-being, peace, and security are threatened by the increasing chaos, disorder, and greed. In these weird times, the five precepts are as relevant today as years ago, if not more. They preach nothing more but to act appropriately.

This is what Siila is about: right speech, right action, and right livelihood

It is about leading a conscious life, about being mindful of our actions. Siila is about being honest within self and relationships. And in order to be mindful and honest, it is important to live with disciplined moral conduct. Siila is also, interpreted as samadhana, which means harmony or coordination, and following these precepts can help in creating a world with security, peace, and well-being. Religions across the world are founded on the common principles of love, care, and mutual respect. Moral conduct has been preached by leaders across cultures and beliefs. As a result, it is not surprising to see a continuous surge in seekers across the world from diverse cultures finding a common ground in the practice of meditation. With the surge, there has been also a rise in many teachers and practitioners promoting different techniques across the globe. What is common, is the fact, that meditation is not a result but an unending journey. Meditation is believed to be a tool to overcome evil and to be able to handle the sufferings wisely.

Launching Siila: a social force powered by collected enlightenments

With an aim to bring the best of these virtues, practices, and techniques wholesomely for everyone, the idea of “Siila” - a global digital platform for the meditative universe is designed. Founded by Aymar de Gunzburg, Siila is a social force powered by our collected enlightenments. It is a unique initiative to bring seekers, professionals, and practitioners together in global interactive space to further the cause of individual awakening and consciousness. The platform brings together the various elements of the meditative universe like religious leaders, philosophies, indigenous and tribal practitioners, networks of teachers, corporates, NGOs, mediation centers, and yogic communities. Siila helps with finding yoga classes near you, yoga teachers, yoga centers near you, meditation centers, online yoga classes, yoga teachers training, yoga training courses, yoga workshops, yoga events and so much more. Siila significantly reduces the seekers' time in getting access to customized quality material. One can now learn thousands of techniques, establish meaningful exchange with teachers and spiritual leaders across the globe, stay up to date on events, sitting groups, centers, and book classes, all on ONE single platform. Silla leverages best-in-class technology, enabling an amazing experience for the users.

"The Buddha said 'If a monk should frame a wish as follows: 'Let me travel through the air like a winged bird,' then must he be perfect in the precepts (Siila), bring his thoughts to a state of quiescence (Samadhi), practice diligently the trances (Jhana), attain to insight (Prajna) and be frequenter to lonely places.'"

The extent to which one can follow the five precepts of Siila will depend on multiple factors. But adopting them even with limitations will work a long way in making our world a better place. Because there is indeed no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind. We wish to let everyone be wealthy with abundant peace!

May peace be with you!

Meditation might be more popular and in practice today but it has existed for thousands of years. Meditation is nothing but a practice of turning one’s mind away from unwanted thoughts to attain peace and balance. It is not about becoming a better or a different person, it is all about acceptance and awareness of the inner self and the surroundings. One of the most common misnomers for beginners in practicing meditation will lead to some magical peace. Meditation, however, is more of a journey than a destiny. Meditation is a skill that requires commitment, perseverance, and belief. In this blog, we will explore about the origin and evolution of meditation with respect to religions.

Origin of Meditation

The origin and history of meditation are complex especially how and when it started. Some school of thoughts believed them to be as old as humanity. According to many researchers and historians, Meditation is believed to be originated from ancient Vedic times in Hinduism several thousand years back. Practicing Dhyāna, which means training one’s mind was widely mentioned in the Vedic texts and is considered as a practice similar to meditation. The oldest documentation of meditation dates back to 5000 BCE in the form of images like wall art paintings showing people sitting in meditative postures with their eyes half closed, from India. The first recorded texts of meditation go back to 1500 BCE in Hinduism, later picked up in Taoism in China and Buddhism in India around 600-500 BCE. An ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu mentions various techniques in his writings which were later linked to meditation practices. The word “meditate” was introduced in 12th century AD, and comes from the Latin word meditatum which means ‘to ponder’. The practice later was quickly adopted in other faiths and religions across the world. In West, interest around meditation started building up in the 1700s when eastern spirituality and philosophy including meditation techniques and practices became available in other languages.

Meditation & Religion

Religion can be defined as human beings’ relation to the holy, sacred, spiritual or divine, worthy of especial reverence. Religion is a belief system, a path that people take to travel through their life, a code of conduct guiding their moral, ethical and social behaviour. Since ancient times, religion has witnessed evolution and transformation. Zoroastrianism, a religion that originated some 3500 years ago, much before Christianity, Islam and Judaism is now on the verge of disappearance. This only further confirms that religions will continue to evolve. Yet religions play a huge role in keeping an extraordinarily complicated world together cohesively. Meditation has been practiced in different forms and techniques in almost all religions but yet transcends over them. The five major religions in today’s world Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all practice meditation in some form.

Hinduism, promotes an array of techniques to achieve Moksha, the enlightened state similar to Nirvana in Buddhism. The ancient texts encourage the practice of Yoga for meditation and self-realization. One of the principles of yoga states the eight limbs in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: discipline, rules, postures, breath control, senses withdrawal, one-pointedness of mind, meditation and realization of self (Samadhi).

Buddhism promotes meditation as a tool to attain nirvana, a state of serenity with techniques like concentration, breadth meditation. Taoism, an ancient chinses philosophy, promotes techniques like concentration, and visualization. Islam too promotes meditation through focusing inward, using breathing techniques and concentration with help of holy words. Judaism, in their ancient religious texts, the Tanach, states the practice of hisbonenus, mental visualization to obtain a deeper understanding of oneself in order to connect with the divine power. Christianity encourages meditation in the form of prayer as a tool to reflect upon God and focus. Throughout the history in the middle age, the practice of meditation spread into many other religious practices. Meditation, however is not a religion, it is a practice. More importantly, meditation is a technique.

Meditation in Modern Age

Meditation was perceived to be a topic for interest for philosophers and intellectuals till the 18th century. By early 20th century, meditation started gaining more prominence through translation of many religious readings in English language and migration of some prominent spiritual teachers in the West, especially in the United States. A book titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”, published in 1927, rose wide interest in meditation followed by the Vipassana movement gained momentum in the 1950s and Transcendental Meditation in the 1960s. By 1970s, meditation was researched for its scientific benefits on well-being expanding its connection merely to spirituality and religion. This further encouraged common people to take up the practice beyond just the spiritual fulfillment.

This movement led to origin of mindfulness s one of the mediative techniques and the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was founded in the United States in 1979. Over the last couple of years its effects have been well established and meditation has become increasingly popular. Meditation is being practiced all over the world in different forms like breathing exercises, Tai Chi, and Yoga, guided meditation, movements, contemplation, concentration etc.

Irrespective of the form in which mediation is practiced, the benefits of meditation are irrefutable and universal. Similar to techniques for physical fitness, meditation is a technique for mental well-being leading to our holistic wellness. Meditation can ultimately help us in self-reflection and in the process becoming better humans. “The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself., said the French Philosopher Michel de Montaigne and it does seem relevant to all generations and perhaps more in the modern world.

May peace be with you!

The Inner Power for Modern Times

It is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree's greatest strength lies and this is equally true for humankind. As much as we have evolved, we find our strengths embedded in our roots. Often, we find our lives on the brink of chaos, mind aimlessly meandering through the unknown and we end up thinking things were better before. “Siila” is one such virtue that stems from our roots. Siila is an ancient concept, a moral compass for mining into our inner self and guiding our actions. The origin of the word ‘Siila’ goes back to 2500 years ago used in ancient ways of life and yet very relevant in the current times. Siila in simple words means moral discipline, one of the three stages along the eightfold path in Buddhism and the foundation of the non-sectarian Vipassana movement.

The Five Precepts

Buddha, the enlightened one promoted five precepts for laymen to follow which asks everyone to refrain from: taking life, refrain from taking what is not given, abstain from sexual misconduct, refrain from incorrect speech and finally refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness. These principles are mistakenly perceived as possible only for monks and considered impractical for the common people to adopt in day to day lives. However, on the contrary, they are quite simple. We are well aware that our world today is struggling with a myriad of problems making our lives stressful. The world is changing dynamically and keeping the peace is only one of the many problems we face today. Life has become demanding than ever before. Well-being, peace, and security are threatened by the increasing chaos, disorder, and greed. In these weird times, the five precepts are as relevant today as years ago, if not more. They preach nothing more but to act appropriately.

This is what Siila is about: right speech, right action, and right livelihood

It is about leading a conscious life, about being mindful of our actions. Siila is about being honest within self and relationships. And in order to be mindful and honest, it is important to live with disciplined moral conduct. Siila is also, interpreted as samadhana, which means harmony or coordination, and following these precepts can help in creating a world with security, peace, and well-being. Religions across the world are founded on the common principles of love, care, and mutual respect. Moral conduct has been preached by leaders across cultures and beliefs. As a result, it is not surprising to see a continuous surge in seekers across the world from diverse cultures finding a common ground in the practice of meditation. With the surge, there has been also a rise in many teachers and practitioners promoting different techniques across the globe. What is common, is the fact, that meditation is not a result but an unending journey. Meditation is believed to be a tool to overcome evil and to be able to handle the sufferings wisely.

Launching Siila: a social force powered by collected enlightenments

With an aim to bring the best of these virtues, practices, and techniques wholesomely for everyone, the idea of “Siila” - a global digital platform for the meditative universe is designed. Founded by Aymar de Gunzburg, Siila is a social force powered by our collected enlightenments. It is a unique initiative to bring seekers, professionals, and practitioners together in global interactive space to further the cause of individual awakening and consciousness. The platform brings together the various elements of the meditative universe like religious leaders, philosophies, indigenous and tribal practitioners, networks of teachers, corporates, NGOs, mediation centers, and yogic communities. Siila helps with finding yoga classes near you, yoga teachers, yoga centers near you, meditation centers, online yoga classes, yoga teachers training, yoga training courses, yoga workshops, yoga events and so much more. Siila significantly reduces the seekers' time in getting access to customized quality material. One can now learn thousands of techniques, establish meaningful exchange with teachers and spiritual leaders across the globe, stay up to date on events, sitting groups, centers, and book classes, all on ONE single platform. Silla leverages best-in-class technology, enabling an amazing experience for the users.

"The Buddha said 'If a monk should frame a wish as follows: 'Let me travel through the air like a winged bird,' then must he be perfect in the precepts (Siila), bring his thoughts to a state of quiescence (Samadhi), practice diligently the trances (Jhana), attain to insight (Prajna) and be frequenter to lonely places.'"

The extent to which one can follow the five precepts of Siila will depend on multiple factors. But adopting them even with limitations will work a long way in making our world a better place. Because there is indeed no greater wealth in this world than peace of mind. We wish to let everyone be wealthy with abundant peace!

May peace be with you!

Meditation might be more popular and in practice today but it has existed for thousands of years. Meditation is nothing but a practice of turning one’s mind away from unwanted thoughts to attain peace and balance. It is not about becoming a better or a different person, it is all about acceptance and awareness of the inner self and the surroundings. One of the most common misnomers for beginners in practicing meditation will lead to some magical peace. Meditation, however, is more of a journey than a destiny. Meditation is a skill that requires commitment, perseverance, and belief. In this blog, we will explore about the origin and evolution of meditation with respect to religions.

Origin of Meditation

The origin and history of meditation are complex especially how and when it started. Some school of thoughts believed them to be as old as humanity. According to many researchers and historians, Meditation is believed to be originated from ancient Vedic times in Hinduism several thousand years back. Practicing Dhyāna, which means training one’s mind was widely mentioned in the Vedic texts and is considered as a practice similar to meditation. The oldest documentation of meditation dates back to 5000 BCE in the form of images like wall art paintings showing people sitting in meditative postures with their eyes half closed, from India. The first recorded texts of meditation go back to 1500 BCE in Hinduism, later picked up in Taoism in China and Buddhism in India around 600-500 BCE. An ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu mentions various techniques in his writings which were later linked to meditation practices. The word “meditate” was introduced in 12th century AD, and comes from the Latin word meditatum which means ‘to ponder’. The practice later was quickly adopted in other faiths and religions across the world. In West, interest around meditation started building up in the 1700s when eastern spirituality and philosophy including meditation techniques and practices became available in other languages.

Meditation & Religion

Religion can be defined as human beings’ relation to the holy, sacred, spiritual or divine, worthy of especial reverence. Religion is a belief system, a path that people take to travel through their life, a code of conduct guiding their moral, ethical and social behaviour. Since ancient times, religion has witnessed evolution and transformation. Zoroastrianism, a religion that originated some 3500 years ago, much before Christianity, Islam and Judaism is now on the verge of disappearance. This only further confirms that religions will continue to evolve. Yet religions play a huge role in keeping an extraordinarily complicated world together cohesively. Meditation has been practiced in different forms and techniques in almost all religions but yet transcends over them. The five major religions in today’s world Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all practice meditation in some form.

Hinduism, promotes an array of techniques to achieve Moksha, the enlightened state similar to Nirvana in Buddhism. The ancient texts encourage the practice of Yoga for meditation and self-realization. One of the principles of yoga states the eight limbs in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: discipline, rules, postures, breath control, senses withdrawal, one-pointedness of mind, meditation and realization of self (Samadhi).

Buddhism promotes meditation as a tool to attain nirvana, a state of serenity with techniques like concentration, breadth meditation. Taoism, an ancient chinses philosophy, promotes techniques like concentration, and visualization. Islam too promotes meditation through focusing inward, using breathing techniques and concentration with help of holy words. Judaism, in their ancient religious texts, the Tanach, states the practice of hisbonenus, mental visualization to obtain a deeper understanding of oneself in order to connect with the divine power. Christianity encourages meditation in the form of prayer as a tool to reflect upon God and focus. Throughout the history in the middle age, the practice of meditation spread into many other religious practices. Meditation, however is not a religion, it is a practice. More importantly, meditation is a technique.

Meditation in Modern Age

Meditation was perceived to be a topic for interest for philosophers and intellectuals till the 18th century. By early 20th century, meditation started gaining more prominence through translation of many religious readings in English language and migration of some prominent spiritual teachers in the West, especially in the United States. A book titled “Tibetan Book of the Dead”, published in 1927, rose wide interest in meditation followed by the Vipassana movement gained momentum in the 1950s and Transcendental Meditation in the 1960s. By 1970s, meditation was researched for its scientific benefits on well-being expanding its connection merely to spirituality and religion. This further encouraged common people to take up the practice beyond just the spiritual fulfillment.

This movement led to origin of mindfulness s one of the mediative techniques and the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program was founded in the United States in 1979. Over the last couple of years its effects have been well established and meditation has become increasingly popular. Meditation is being practiced all over the world in different forms like breathing exercises, Tai Chi, and Yoga, guided meditation, movements, contemplation, concentration etc.

Irrespective of the form in which mediation is practiced, the benefits of meditation are irrefutable and universal. Similar to techniques for physical fitness, meditation is a technique for mental well-being leading to our holistic wellness. Meditation can ultimately help us in self-reflection and in the process becoming better humans. “The greatest thing in the world is to know how to belong to oneself., said the French Philosopher Michel de Montaigne and it does seem relevant to all generations and perhaps more in the modern world.

May peace be with you!