Atheist Meditation

I am an atheist. I do not believe in God, the soul, or the afterlife. I do not subscribe to reincarnation, the power of prayer, or any of that bullshit. Sam Harris doesn't either, but I was surprised that he was interested in and practiced meditation. I thought this was odd and a bit hypocritical. But upon reading and further reflection, I understand why he does it.

Scientific evidence indicates significant differences between the brains of people who meditate and those who don't. Meditation promotes mental and emotional wellbeing. This is scientific fact and not religious hocus pocus.

There is some benefit from religious practice and contemplation. It doesn't change anything but your own mind. Divorced from religion, meditation becomes a mental exercise akin to stretching or lifting weights. I do not meditate, and the one thing I notice is that I must always be stimulated mentally. I either read, listen to my iPod, watch TV, write, or what have you. I find I am not able to do mundane chores or be alone without mental stimulation for very long. I feel a constant stress as a consequence of this.

I see this same thing when I see someone running with headphones on. I always thought this was dumb. These people couldn't be apart from their mental stimulation for less than an hour. I always found the best part of a run is being able to turn all that stuff off. But I don't run these days because it is too boring. I am in the same condition as the people I criticize.

My brain is a constant firestorm of thoughts, feelings, and what have you. When I am alone with my thoughts, I go from excitement to daydreaming to anger over past hurts to what have you. My mind is undisciplined. It affects my mood. Even writing about it causes me stress.

I don't always agree with Sam Harris, but the one thing I do notice about him is his calmness. This has to be the result of this meditative practice. There is benefit in taking a Zen chill pill.

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