Does meditation involve escaping the world?
This is one of the greatest myths propagated by those who are opposed to meditation, especially meditation that goes beyond the gross levels of ourselves and the world, so as to experience the ever pure center of consciousness. This is very far from the truth of meditation and Self-realization. There is an ancient metaphor of the lotus flower, which grows up out of the mud to spread its beautiful petals. It is a symbol suggesting that one be “in the world, but not of the world.” It is easy to see only the “not of the world” portion, and to incorrectly infer that the meaning is escaping, and that one should not do this. This view completely ignores the portion that suggests one “be in the world.” To be “in” the world is not escaping, avoiding, suppressing, or repressing. It is fully active, engaging, and present in the moment, as we live our lives to the fullest. Yet, while doing this, we can also know–through deep meditation–the higher realities, including that we are one with the wh
