從「止觀」論佛學的靜心修持與靈性教育

A Discussing on Buddhist Meditation and Spiritual Education from the Viewpoint of Cessation and Contemplation

本文首先探討天臺宗智顗大師的《修習止觀坐禪法要》內涵，說明止觀的靜心方法，包含先前的準備工作、需要配合的事項與心理態度，以及止觀的日常生活應用等。接著提出現代心理學所主張的「正念」與「心流」兩種心理素質，作為止觀的現代應用範例，並進行古代理論與現代實踐的對話；然後藉由現代作品與其他佛學經典之詮釋，進一步申論止觀的靜心重點。文末，透過上述討論，從止觀的靜心修持看待當前的靈性教育，並提出作者的看法，分別提出三點建議，分別為：開發心的覺知、練習當下的專注與投入，以及體驗並回歸生命本有的存在狀態。期待未來的教育方向，能從「腦」轉向「心」，如此學習者生命的開展與超越，將具有更大的可能性。

This article aims to discuss the great Buddhist master Zhizhet’s work – Essentials of Practicing Śamatha and Vipaśyanā Meditation – and its implications on spiritual education. For this purpose, first, the preparation and manners for practicing cessation and contemplation, its psychological attitude, and practical applications in daily lives are illustrated. Second, the author takes modern examples by drawing from psychological theories of ‘mindfulness’ and ‘flow’, to explain effects on practicing cessation and contemplation. Third, through the interpretation of modern works and other Buddhist classics, the main point of cessation and contemplation meditation is explored further. In the end, the author attempts to view spiritual education in terms of the significance of cessation and contemplation and makes three suggestions; namely exploring awareness of mind, practicing concentration and engagement in each moment, and returning to the original status of an individual’s being. It is argued that pivoting one’s educational direction from the ‘brain’ to the ‘spirit’ will open possibilities for the transformation and transcendence of human lives.