subject: Meditation Essay 2 [print this page] Meditation is a mental/spiritual technique for quieting the endless chatter of the mind and freeing it from anxiety and stress. In its advanced forms, it aims for the attainment of peace of mind, inner silence and spiritual awakening. Meditation is a state of concentrated awareness on a thought, idea, an aspect of God or on one's consciousness, and usually involves turning the attention inwards, away from the external world. During meditation the mind often wanders away, and the practitioner has to bring the attention back again and again. This of course involves some effort in the beginning, but as one gains proficiency, keeping the mind calm and free from distracting thoughts becomes second nature.
In more advanced techniques, meditation aims to free the mind from the compulsive habit to think incessantly. This leads to inner peace, and to spiritual awareness of one's real essence The Inner Spirit, which is above and beyond the mind. There are many methods and traditions, some of these may involve the repetition of a mantra or contemplating on the meaning of selected verses from the scriptures, and others require focusing the attention on the breath, a candle or some type of inner visualization. There are also higher techniques that require the emptying of the mind of all thoughts and entering into a state of inner silence, clarity and bliss. This is a state of deep inner peace and awareness of one's real being. Regular practice of meditation develops patience, love and tolerance, for oneself and all beings.
