Q. Can meditation be considered a placebo?
A. The question is based on an article in which the author claims that meditation is nothing but a placebo and that those who practice meditation believe that it will yield them what the writer claims to be the placebo effect, or a tranquillity effect.
One who has practiced meditation most of his life, on the basis of his own testimony as well as that of divine incarnations and sages of yore and those of today—they all are of one voice in declaring that the benefits of meditation are real and life-transforming and can only be generated by steadfast, deliberate meditation for the purpose of gaining self-enlightenment and freedom from all bondage to suffering, self-delusion, and ignorance. There is no placebo that can simulate such powerful and life-transforming results.
A placebo dulls the senses and minds, whereas meditation takes the mind to deeper states of understanding, to the peace that passes all understanding, to the feeling of profound love and gratitude, to true compassion that wells up spontaneously from the depths of one’s inner being. What placebo has ever been able to offer similar results?
It is a reminder to all who would challenge the validity or value of meditation that, ye shall know them by their fruits. Can one live in peace without the realization of peace? Can one practice forgiveness without the realization of love? Is love an effect, or is love a cause? That which is made by man cannot bring into manifestation that which is made by God, or if you will, created through inspiration and as a result of spiritual connectedness.
Can joy be induced by an effect? If it were so, all humanity should by now be living in an exalted state of joy. An effect can never be the cause of what meditation yields in experience. Meditation is the kind of self-help that does not depend on anything external for its benefits.
The placebo may create the illusion of calmness and well-being; but what happens once the placebo is withdrawn? The calmness that it allegedly produces proves itself to be but a sham, without substance and sustenance.
Meditation is going to the well to draw deeply on the life-giving healing and loving influences that no dosage of placebos could even attempt to simulate or stimulate. If, however, anyone wants to insist that meditation is but a placebo effect, let him pursue meditation and discover that it has no negative side effects but leads to expanded self-awareness, loving kindness, and the state of well-being that brings with it ever new joy, inner strength, and fearlessness.
Since all the enlightened meditative beings have realized the same truth, are they all suffering from the placebo effect? If it be so, the meditator is most fortunate to be in their company, or if you will, to hang out with them.
Know this: The meditator has no need for placebos, for he has found the real jewel. Can one who recognizes the true diamond settle for a synthetic one?
