Engaging in Practice

“[Meditators anywhere] are participants. They can be participants in systems of liberation, or participants in systems of oppression. It's your choice. This is where one does have an individual choice. So, you can’t just step back.”

Some meditators may feel that their practice involves turning away from the world, as they focus increasingly on their own inner states and experiences. This perspective is often associated with traditional forms of meditation that prioritize the cultivation of inner peace and stillness, and may view engagement with the world as a distraction or a source of suffering.

However, Alan Senauke's quote suggests a different approach to meditation, one that sees the practice not as a way to turn away from the world, but as a way to engage with it more deeply and effectively. According to this view, meditation can provide the clarity, insight, and compassion needed to engage with the world in a meaningful and beneficial way.

This perspective is consistent with the principles of Engaged Buddhism, a concept that we should mention Alan did much to bring to the world in its early stages, which encourages practitioners to use their meditation practice as a foundation for actively working to address social and environmental issues. In this sense, meditation is seen not as a way to retreat from the world, but as a way to cultivate the skills and awareness needed to engage with it in a more compassionate and effective way.

Alan's quotation also highlights the idea that individuals have agency and can choose how they engage with the world around them. In the context of Western meditators looking at how to engage with the democratic movement in Myanmar, a topic we also addressed at length during this interview, this means that they can choose to be actively involved in supporting systems of liberation, rather than passively participating in systems of oppression and tyranny.

The situation in Myanmar is complex, with a military coup that has resulted in widespread human rights abuses and the suppression of democracy. It is important for Western meditators, or anyone interested in supporting the democratic movement in Myanmar for that matter, to consider the ways in which they can engage in a meaningful and effective way. This may involve taking actions such as supporting organizations working to promote human rights and democracy in the country, advocating for Myanmar on social media and other platforms, or even participating in protests or other forms of direct action.

Ultimately, the significance of Alan's quotation is that it encourages individuals to take a proactive role in shaping the world around them, rather than simply accepting the status quo or remaining passive in the face of injustice. By choosing to be participants in systems of liberation, Western meditators can use their skills and resources to make a positive impact in the struggle for democracy in Myanmar.