Mental Energy Research Design
Introduction
The Lord Buddha said: “O Bhikkus, there are two kinds of illness. What are those two? Physical illness and mental illness. There seem to be people who enjoy freedom from physical illness even for a year or two….even for a hundred years or more. But O, Bhikkus, rare in this world are those who enjoy freedom mental defilements.
Buddha’s teachings, particularly his way of meditation or mental culture, aims at producing a state of perfect mental health, equilibrium and tranquility. It aims at cleansing the mind of impurities and disturbances, such as lustful desire, hatred, ill-will, indolence, worries, restlessness and doubts. It cultivates such qualities as concentration, awareness, intelligence, will-power, energy, the analytical faculty, confidence, joy, tranquility, leading finally to the attainment of the highest wisdom that sees the nature of things as they are and realizes the ultimate truth.
Dedication
This research design is dedicated to the new group of world servers as well as the world decade for cultural development, 1988 to 1997. The primary aim of this research design is to prove that meditation can be scientifically tested following the methods detailed in this booklet. In fact, this design has been applied on several occasions to various groups by Venerable Dr. Dhammarakkhita, the author of this booklet.
Activity
The word “meditation” means culture or development; i.e.., mental culture or mental development. If practiced regularly and correctly, it may fulfill the highest need of human beings for self-realization or self actualization. It is, indeed, the highest achievement for human beings.
Although this research design has been constructed based on the Lord Buddha’s teachings, it may be tested by modern scientific means.
Those who participates meditation in accordance with my research design will find the miracle of mind power within ten days. After completing the ten-day course, the mental patterns of the yogis may be measured using sophisticated machines such as the electroencephalograph (E.E.G), single photon emission computed tomography (S.P.E.C.T) and positron tomography (P.E.T). With the help of these machines, the researcher can measure the brain wave patterns in order to calculate the validity and reliability of the effects of meditation on mind power.
Those who are interested in this research project can participate irrespective of race, faith, sex, creed and age.
Specific objectives
Once the contemplation and the awareness of in-and-out breathing is practiced and developed, it becomes one’s habit and foundation. Then, one may expect the following blessings:
- One does not allow oneself to be overcome by discontent one subdues it, as soon as it arises.
- One does not allow oneself to be overcome by fear and anxiety one subdues them, as soon as they arise.
- One endures cold and heat, hunger and thirst, wind and sun, as well as bodily pains.
- One learns to purify the mind through realization of the four “absorptions” (jhanas)
The immediate expected results
A developed power of concentration is, needless to say, of inestimable value in the ordinary, everyday business of life. It may well make the difference between an efficient or inefficient public servant and professional worker.
Operational definition
Metta-abhinna is the specific operational definition of my research project, Metta-cetovimutti “The mind-deliverance of loving kindness.”
The pali word “metta” means loving kindness, If you have real metta, you can radiate noble, grand peace. It is this metta that attempts to break away all barriers that separate beings from one another.
Abhinna is a special kind of super-normal power of consciousness. Everybody who practices meditation in accordance with my research design can achieve it very easily. Through metta-abhinna, we can help to provide solutions to problems that cannot be resolved by conventional means.
Methodology
- Watching over in-and-out breathing (anapanasati)
- Four barhma-vihara, the dissemination of love to all directions. Applied metta-abhinna (the mind-deliverance of loving kindles).
- Mental energy research (kasina)-para-psychology.
Is the activity feasible?
(a) technical view-point
According to statistical psychology, we need to calculate validity and reliability. That is why I intend to use the latest technical developments in testing the findings of my research work. As there is no financial support to technical expertise available in my country for this purpose, I intend to seek external assistance from interesting organizations to fund the project.
(b) human resources
The human resources or trainees are abundant in my country. I would be able to invite them through the mass media or through voluntary groups. The outstanding trainees from various meditation groups may be selected for further research.
Procedure
Fifty trainees are required primarily for the first ten day course. They will be trained daily in accordance with my method. According to the ability of the trainee, the detailed procedure will be revealed gradually by the teacher.
Result evaluation (data analysis)
Patients suffering from heart disease, hypertension, gastric problems and neurosis are to be examined before and after the use of my research design, by various doctors, scientists and psychologists in order that we may know the changes that occur among them. Thus, we may have the T-tables.
The stages of jhana that the trainees pass, using right concentration, shall be recorded using machines. Under strict observation by a well-qualified scientist, we can obtain reliable brain wave patterns as data.
The fourth jhana is supreme because mental energy is tapped at that state using research methods used in parapsychology.
Conclusion
To talk of maintaining peace through the balance of power or through the threat of nuclear deterrents is foolish. The might of armaments can only produce fear, and not peace. It is impossible that there can be genuine and lasting peace through fear. Through fear can only come hatred, ill-will, and hostility. True and genuine peace can prevail only in an atmosphere of metta. Metta-abhinna can be achieved through mental culture or mental development.
Therefore, I invite you cordially to come to my spiritual workshop and test the ten-day meditation course. It is, indeed, the group service through the power of the mind-deliverance of loving kindness. Buddha taught us not to believe merely because it is heard, but believe only your consciousness and act accordingly and abundantly.
The regular ten-day meditation courses will be opened at the first week of every month.
No charges, but donations are welcome!
For detailed information please contact through the following address:
Everybody is invited to come and see.
Dr. Dhammarakkhita (Director)
M.A (Psy), M.D (M.A), D. Sc (H.C)
Mental Energy Research Meditation Center (M.E.R.M.C)
The Dept. of Irrigation Quarter (East)
Pathingyi Township., Mandalay
Myanmar
Tel: 95-2-57278
e-mail: dahamma.dr@gmail.com