What Is the Difference Between Meditation and Contemplation
Definitions of Meditation and Contemplation:
Meditation: Meditation consists in concentrating on an object or a religious symbol for a considerable period of time.
Contemplation: Contemplation involves serious thinking on a particular topic, or any other aspect concerned with our routine of work or ideas.
Characteristics of Meditation and Contemplation:
Thoughts:
Meditation: Meditation relates to the cessation of thoughts.
Contemplation: Contemplation involves thinking.
Aim:
Meditation: Meditation is aimed at perfecting the art of Yoga. It is aimed at spiritual absorption of the mind.
Contemplation: Contemplation involves reflection of thoughts, the various ways of implementing those thoughts into action and the like.
Result:
Meditation: Meditation results in emancipation.
Contemplation: Contemplation results in bondage.
Image Courtesy:
1. Meditate Tapasya Dhyana By RelaxingMusic (Flickr: Meditate) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Benjamin-Constant-Contemplation By Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
