In Indian spiritual texts, being deeply absorbed in activities such as painting, dancing, or any other hobby, where you lose track of time and become fully immersed, is often referred to as a state of Dhyana or meditation-like concentration. While this state is not identical to traditional meditation, it shares similarities in terms of deep focus and connection with the present moment.
1. The Bhagavad Gita: Karma Yoga and Dhyana
The Bhagavad Gita offers significant insights into how being deeply absorbed in an activity can be seen as a meditative practice.
In Chapter 2, Verse 47, Lord Krishna advises:
"Karmanye vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshu kadachana"(You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions.)
Here, Krishna emphasizes the practice of Karma Yoga, which is the yoga of action. When one performs their duties with complete dedication and without attachment to the results, it is a form of meditation. This idea aligns with the concept of flow in modern psychology, where one is fully immersed in an activity, losing track of time and self-consciousness, similar to the experience of meditation. An artist engrossed in painting or a dancer completely absorbed in their dance is performing an act of Karma Yoga, which has meditative qualities.
2. The Upanishads: Brahman as the Source of Art and Expression
The Upanishads, particularly the Chandogya Upanishad, emphasize the idea that all actions and creative expressions originate from the ultimate reality, Brahman.
In the Chandogya Upanishad (Chapter 3, Section 14, Verse 1):
"Sarvam khalvidam brahma"(All this is indeed Brahman.)
This suggests that every form of creation, whether it be painting, music, or dance, is a manifestation of the divine. When an artist is lost in their art, they are, in essence, connecting with this divine source. This connection can be seen as a form of meditation, where the artist becomes a conduit for divine expression, losing their sense of ego and individual identity.
3. Natya Shastra: Dance as Meditation
The Natya Shastra, attributed to Sage Bharata, is a foundational text on Indian performing arts, including dance, music, and drama. In this text, the arts are seen not just as entertainment but as spiritual practices. For instance, the concept of Rasa (aesthetic experience) in Natya Shastra is a form of emotional and spiritual absorption where both the performer and the audience enter a meditative state.
In Chapter 1, the Natya Shastra states:
"Natya is the representation of the entire human experience and the whole world."
This highlights that when a dancer or performer is fully immersed in their art, they transcend the mundane and connect with the spiritual realm. This state of absorption can be likened to meditation, where the mind is fully engaged in the present moment, and the performer becomes one with their art.
4. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Dhyana and Dharana
In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, meditation (Dhyana) is defined as an unbroken flow of concentration towards an object.
In Sutra 3.2, Patanjali defines Dhyana:
"Tatra pratyaya ekatanata dhyanam"(Dhyana is the continuous flow of cognition toward that object.)
While this definition refers to a more formal practice of meditation, it can be extended to activities that require deep focus and concentration, such as painting, writing, or dancing. When one is so absorbed in their work that the distinction between the self and the activity disappears, it resembles the meditative state described by Patanjali.
Moreover, Dharana (concentration), the preceding step to Dhyana, involves focusing the mind on a particular point or task. In the context of hobbies, when a painter focuses entirely on their canvas or a dancer on their movements, they are practicing Dharana, which can naturally lead to Dhyana or meditation.
5. Sufi Tradition in India: Art as a Path to the Divine
The Sufi tradition, with its roots in Islamic mysticism, also regards art and music as a form of meditation. Qawwali and Sufi dance (like the whirling dervishes) are seen as ways to lose oneself in the Divine. The poet Rumi, who has influenced Indian Sufi practices, often speaks of being lost in the act of creation as a way of merging with God:
"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy."
This idea resonates with Indian philosophical traditions where art, when performed with total absorption, becomes a meditative practice. Similarly, Islamic calligraphy and poetry have been used historically as spiritual exercises, where the creation process itself becomes a form of devotion and connection with the divine.
6. Christian Mysticism: Art as Contemplation
In Christian traditions, especially within mysticism, art has also been used as a form of meditation and contemplation. The practice of iconography in Eastern Orthodoxy, for instance, is considered a form of prayer. Artists creating icons often do so in a meditative state, viewing their work as a spiritual offering. The creation of sacred art is intended to reflect divine beauty and serve as a medium for connecting with God.
Similarly, in the writings of Christian mystics like St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, contemplative prayer and deep absorption in devotional practices are seen as paths to divine union. This state of deep concentration and mindfulness can be compared to the meditative absorption experienced in artistic activities.
7. Bhakti Yoga: Devotion through Art and Music
In Bhakti Yoga, devotion and love for the divine are expressed through art, music, and other creative practices. Saints like Mirabai, Tulsidas, and Kabir expressed their devotion through poetry and songs, which became a form of meditation. The Bhagavata Purana and other Bhakti texts often depict how devotional singing (Kirtan) or dancing in the name of the divine can lead to a meditative state.
For instance, Mirabai's bhajans (devotional songs) were not just expressions of devotion but also a form of deep meditative connection with her deity, Krishna. Similarly, the Rasa Lila dances of Krishna and the Gopis are considered meditative practices where the dancers lose themselves in divine love.
8. Tantra: Absorption in Sensory Experiences
Tantric texts often emphasize the importance of being fully present in sensory experiences. While Tantra is more complex and often misunderstood, one of its core principles is that every experience can be a gateway to the divine when approached with mindfulness. In Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, various meditative techniques involve deep immersion in activities, whether it be listening to music, watching a performance, or engaging in creative expression. These practices allow the practitioner to transcend ordinary consciousness and connect with the higher self.
9. Buddhism: Mindfulness in Action
In Buddhism, mindfulness (Sati) is a central practice that involves being fully present in every action. This can extend to creative endeavors like painting, calligraphy, or even daily tasks. Zen Buddhism, in particular, emphasizes the meditative aspect of art through practices like Zen calligraphy (Shodo) and Zen garden design.
Zen masters often teach that when one is fully immersed in an activity without distraction or attachment, it becomes a form of meditation. This echoes the teachings of the Yoga Sutras and other Indian texts, where concentration and mindfulness lead to a meditative state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Indian scriptures and texts acknowledge that deep immersion in activities like painting, dancing, or other creative pursuits can mirror the meditative state of Dhyana. Whether through the Bhagavad Gita's concept of Karma Yoga, the Upanishads' recognition of Brahman in all creation, the Natya Shastra's emphasis on spiritual absorption in art, or the Bhakti tradition's devotional practices, the essence of meditation is not confined to sitting in silence. It can also be experienced through the deep, focused engagement in any activity where the ego dissolves, and one becomes one with the present moment.
This understanding extends across various spiritual traditions. In Sufism, art becomes a path to the Divine; in Christianity, art serves as a form of contemplation and prayer; and in Buddhism, mindfulness in creative action is seen as a meditative practice. While traditional meditation involves structured practice, these texts and traditions reveal that the essence of meditation—mindfulness, presence, and unity with the divine—can be achieved through various forms of art and action.
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