Philosophical meditation in the West

Western meditation was lost after Descartes, whose subject-object split turned thinking into detached reflection. Twentieth-century philosophy questioned the cogito but did not restore meditation. Philosophical practice can revive meditation by allowing emotions to live, be welcomed, and mellow. Meditation also serves as a continuous source of comparison for philosophical practitioners, helping them preserve humility, dismiss authority, and welcome the guest without manipulation, by listening while challenging their own preconceived ideas and past emotions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

How can we return to meditation in the West today? Descartes was the last person to meditate in the West, but after him, the gnoseology of his thought was all that prevailed, as well as the rift between subject and object: thinking, meditating, thus, became a form of reflection on something, which is an object detached from the subject who thinks. The philosophy of the twentieth century questioned the cogito, but it did not restore meditation. This is the task of philosophical practice. But how can we restore Western meditation? The essay attempts to demonstrate a way to meditate today, to allow emotions to live, to welcome them and allow them to mellow. It also shows how meditation is a continuous source of comparison for philosophical practitioners so they can preserve their humility as they perform their task, dismiss authority, and welcome the guest without the risk of manipulating him or her, by listening to the guest while also challenging their own preconceived ideas and past emotions.