subject: Effective Meditation That Will Improve All Areas Of Your Life [print this page] Effective Meditation That Will Improve All Areas Of Your Life
Buddhism is known for its lists. Among those lists is the list of the seven factors of enlightenment which include: mindfulness, effort and energy, investigation, rapture, concentration, tranquility, and equanimity. These are qualities of the mind that, when cultivated in meditation practice, can profoundly affect your relationship with the world.
1. "Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it was different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will) and being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won't)." James Baraz Mindfulness (sati) means to be aware and mindful in all activities and movements both physical and mental.
2. Investigation (dhamma vicaya) into the nature of dhamma, the teaching of the Buddha. It means being Interested and curious about our experience, being introspective about the nature of our actions, our speech and our thoughts.
3. Energy (viriya) is energy in pursuit of the good, This the the physical and mental energy needed for diligent mindfulness practice. Viriya is the strong, courageous heart of energy.
4. Joy or rapture (piti) is a gladdening of the mind and body, a feeling in the body when in deep meditation.
5. Relaxation or tranquility (passaddhi) is the tranquility of both the body and mind, mental and physical calm.
6. Concentration (samadhi) is a calm, one-pointed state of concentration of mind, a deep state of meditation.
7. Equanimity (upekkha),is being able to face life in all its vicissitudes with a calm and tranquil mind, without disturbance.
Each of these factors can be used as the focus of meditation. You could choose one factor of enlightenment to work with, in your meditation, for several weeks or for as long as you would like. After you have meditated for enough time to become concentrated, bring the factor to mind and explore it. Is this factor strong or week? How can you develop this factor in your life?
For example, when meditating on equanimity, you might consider whether this is a quality that you or someone you know embodies. What characteristics of that person are manifested due to this quality of equanimity? In which situations have you witnessed this quality? In which situations in your own life has there been a lack of equanimity? How can you manifest equanimity in your life?
According to Sri S. Satchidananda (The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda) "When even one virtue becomes our nature, the mind becomes clear and tranquil. Then there is no need to practice meditation; we will automatically be meditating always."
This meditation technique, when practiced over time, will bring awareness and positivity to your thoughts, speech and actions.
Nancy, a twenty-year veteran of teaching, consulting and coaching, assists people to find skills that improve their professional and personal lives with skillfulness, compassion and mindfulness.
Nancy leverages what she has learned as a mother, teacher and Buddhist practitioner to offer a unique, relevant and valuable perspective to people she coaches.
