Metta and Praying as Daily Practice for a Healthy Mind and Soul
Every morning, I begin my day with metta, a form of meditation centered on compassion akin to prayer. Those familiar with me might be surprised by this practice, especially since I don’t subscribe to any religious doctrine. Yet, this practice is profoundly significant to me. As a pediatric surgeon deeply immersed in science and actively engaged in both clinical and basic science research, I’ve found that this daily practice sharpens my understanding of the world. It empowers me to approach my family, friends, patients, and everyone I meet with enhanced compassion and effectiveness.
Although I haven’t witnessed signs affirming a divine creator, I’ve experienced the transformative power of prayer, which can heal individuals and our world. Some may find this perspective contradictory. However, I assert that through the power of prayer, we can facilitate healing — of bodies, minds, or souls — and that its transformative effects can be illuminated through both science and reasoning.
Meditation and science are some of the tools I use to refine my worldview, elucidating the interplay between the material and spiritual realms. Instead of anchoring myself to beliefs, I seek knowledge. Beliefs, often born from inherited narratives, can obscure our perception of truth. While I don’t claim to know absolute truth, I know I am on the right path as I navigate using logic, science, and intuition.
Now, to delve into the heart of the spiritual realm: the mind and the soul. Their distinction is often nebulous, shifting with varied interpretations. Asserting that language merely serves as a label understates its limitations; it often needs help to capture the full depth of its subjects. While some equate the mind and soul, others discern nuances between the two.
To lay the groundwork for our discussion, the mind, a multi-dimensional concept, spans disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, and sociology. It’s generally regarded as the nexus of human self-awareness, consciousness, perceptions, emotions, memories, thoughts, and the intricate biochemical and electrical processes underpinning these phenomena. We discern the conscious, of which we’re actively aware, and the subconscious, analogous to the unseen depths of an iceberg.
Conversely, as articulated in religious, philosophical, and cultural narratives, the soul embodies an ethereal essence, often postulated as the core of our identity and consciousness. Views on its origin, essence, and post-mortem trajectory diverge among belief systems. The soul’s interpretation is as diverse as its contemplators. Within Christianity, for example, the Roman Catholic dogma regards the soul as immortal, divinely conferred at conception, and fated for divine adjudication post-demise. In contrast, Jehovah’s Witnesses opine that souls lack inherent perpetuity, with resurrection reserved solely for the virtuous. Mormonism, meanwhile, envisions the soul as a fusion of spirit and body.
Why such varied interpretations of the mind and soul? Are science and religion fundamentally at odds in their perspectives, or do the mind and soul manifest differently across disciplines? Ponder this analogy: Imagine humanity nestled in a vast dome, each person afforded a window offering a distinct vista of the world beyond. Every window, shaped by its clarity and the observer’s vantage, presents a unique scene. One gazing eastward at sunset might behold a silhouette of trees against a pristine sky, while another, facing west, sees an expanse dotted by an orange, cloud-adorned horizon. Their immediate perceptions might conflict, especially in that fleeting moment. Yet, observing across a day, they’d both chart the sun’s arc, the sky’s changing palette, and cloud migrations. Extended over a year, their observations would find more commonality, converging on the cyclical nature of seasons, even if their vantage points remain unchanged. Cultural and religious tenets tint our windows, influencing our interpretations of reality. However, a broader, extended observation reveals a convergence of insights, unearthing a collective, grander narrative.
Applying this “window” analogy to our spiritual perceptions, our immediate views might vary, yet a lengthened, holistic perspective unveils profound commonalities. The perceived differences are merely tiles in an expansive mosaic. With clear vision, the essence of the soul and mind becomes apparent, suggesting a sublime force fueling our existence. Consequently, I perceive the mind and soul like the Eastern and Western horizons — diverse facets of a singular expanse.
Every morning, upon waking, I dedicate roughly an hour to meditation, a discipline that fortifies the mind much in the way physical activity strengthens the body. Although exercise, with its myriad facets, has attracted copious scientific research, podcasts, and articles, meditation’s complexities and potential benefits run even more profound. However, for many, the understanding of meditation remains superficial.
During my meditation sessions, a portion is reserved for metta or prayer. I begin by wishing for my own happiness, peace, and freedom from impediments such as anger, envy, greed, fear, and frustration. Gradually, my mind expands its scope, encompassing not only loved ones but acquaintances, strangers, those suffering hardships like abuse, war, or unjust imprisonment, and even those who cause suffering to other people. I ardently hope all beings shed their anger, resentment, and hatred, instead praying for universal happiness, wellness, and tranquility.
But how does prayer function? Imagine a garden parched and withering from drought, where my solitary plant stands among others. To revitalize the entire garden, I’d start by watering my plant, and as it thrives, the surplus nourishes those adjacent. Similarly, as I pray for my own happiness and well-being, the ensuing positivity touches me and those in my orbit. As my inner serenity deepens, my prayers radiate outward, including more beings, from animals to divine entities.
Different perspectives explain the potency of prayer. The devout attribute it to the intervention of a higher power, be it God, a divine force, or a universal energy that heeds our pleas. In contrast, science perceives prayer as a psychological tool akin to meditation, reducing stress, enhancing one’s sense of agency, and providing solace in adversity. Although research offers varied findings on intercessory prayer, neuroscience indicates that prayer can stimulate brain regions linked to empathy and moral judgment.
My stance on prayer blends introspective revelations with observations of its impact on myself and those around me. The universe adheres to immutable principles manifest in laws directing physical interactions. These tenets — like gravity, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics — not only steer tangible matter but also influence our minds. Following physics’ principles, any generated force may alter or propagate but never dissipate entirely. This concept parallels the butterfly effect, where small perturbations can instigate profound ripple effects. Similarly, when we pray with authenticity and awareness, we emit positive vibrations, affecting our immediate environment and even remote spaces. Foreseeing the precise repercussions might be intricate, but just as consistent health routines bolster our physical health, relentless prayer, complemented by other holistic approaches, augments its potential influence.
Thus, I pray or meditate daily, channeling positive thoughts and energy for myself, those around me, and across this galaxy. I don’t anticipate a specific result; I recognize that good emerges in the very act. In that moment, devoid of hatred, anger, resentment, frustration, envy, jealousy, pride, greed, desire, fear, anxiety, or inertia, the world brightens, setting the wheel of progress in motion.
