What is meditation?
What is meditation?
What is meditation?
What is meditation?
Meditation is going to stillness within in full awareness. Here one experiences peace and can see the mind for what it is -a wonderful tool of creation. I have been regularly practising meditation for over twenty- five years, and teaching meditation techniques for seven years. Over the years I have tried a variety of techniques, and chosen those that suit me, and have come up with my own versions. The methods I teach are tried and tested, and have served me well.
They are very suitable for busy people with hectic lifestyles as most of us have. I think my versions should suit almost anyone regardless of culture, religious beliefs or background.My bread and butter' meditation is observing my breathing. I call it this because it is the first and last part of every other technique, and it is the one I use every day.
This simple action of observing my breathing takes me to inner quietness. My body and mind quieten down to stillness and there I am in the infinite stillness. There is no thought, no sensations, no action, just being. Simple awareness.
Then thoughts, feelings arise again. I notice them, and perhaps get involved in them. When I realise this, I start over again, witnessing my breathing going to stillness. I call stillness my default setting. My thoughts and feelings change all the time. I am this and then that, but stillness is always there, always the same.I use and teach other meditation techniques, too, for different purposes. But I always use my bread and butter' breathing meditation everyday. My advice to the beginner is to do this too. It is too easy to get sidetracked trying out all the various techniques. The mind charms you this way. So take control of the mind rather than allowing the mind to control you!
Every meditation session is a different experience and you will soon realise this. You may experience fidgeting or mental busyness at one session and the next session may be peaceful and comfortable.So have no expectation, because each session is different. Trust that the meditation is doing the business of clearing stress, worry and negativity. The process is very gentle so you need to accept that meditation is no quick fix.
Thoughts and sensations in meditation are normal; they are part of the natural cycle of meditation practise.There is no need for concentration and effort, and this is a very common misconception about meditation.
When people question me about meditation, I often find there is a misunderstanding about the nature of it. Again I can only give my own view of the definition. Meditation is moving to a state of quiet alert awareness where the mind is still but one is witnessing. It is not self- hypnosis, nor a state of auto suggestion, nor a trance.
It is not contemplation, which I interpret as quietly dwelling on an idea or an object to gain understanding.It is not creative visualisation, where one takes an imaginary journey to a pleasant scenario in order to explore aspects of the psyche.Nor is it for relaxation through music or storytelling. These techniques have great value in themselves but should not be mistaken for meditation.
During meditation we become aware of our thoughts and feelings, and the meditation process works by releasing negativity in a very gentle way, bringing one to a state of ease within oneself. This has to be the best reason for meditating! When we are at ease within, everyone we come into contact with benefits too.
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