Meditation, keeping it simple
Meditation is an age old favourite subject when speaking about personal development.
It seems that whoever you talk to (particularly in spiritual circles), they are meditating.
If you were to enquire deeply into the subject you might come away with a few surprises. Thought for this month is all about just this. Meditation is basically the ability to see yourself, to understand the workings of our busy minds and eventually with practice to enjoy some internal quiet.
Meditation aims at producing a perfect state of mental health along with equilibrium, the balance between thought and reality.
An Easter Tradition, it is now practiced all over the world in a mountain of different ways.
It's wonderfully simple, but unfortunately many traditions try and complicate the issue.
For us here though, lets stick to the basics and keep it simple.
Basically, meditation involves turning your attention inwards, sitting quietly in your own space. Concentrating on yourself, instead of sending energy out in different directions. Meditation thus brings all of that outward bound energy back to your centre, the centre of your entire being, your aliveness, is-ness.
Last period we reflected on Self Enquiry, the ability to know yourself intimately.
In this knowledge a clearer understanding of the mind becomes apparent. Meditation is a part of that knowledge. |
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Basic methods of meditation are sitting upright, straight back and breathing deeply and slowly. This generally slows down all the bodily feelings through concentrated relaxation. Initially find a quiet environment, a cosy corner which will help develop that self awareness.
Burning incense adds to the whole atmosphere.
It is easy enough, and it isn't.
Meditation is a discipline and that is something we are not good at.
You have to find the time and stick to it to enjoy the benefits. Once settled, for the large majority of us, the mind continues chatting, sometimes almost screaming for attention and then arises all sorts of counter frustrations, all of which of course are invisible to the outside world.
In principal, just ignore these thoughts and ideas, just let them go. If you find yourself busy with thoughts, simply come back to your breathing and let the thoughts go.
After a period of practice you will find this much more easy.
As the thoughts start to subside (due to the fact that they are not getting attention) then the silence between the busyness starts to open up. This silence is what is known as "your true self". Before mind.
When the mind is quiet (ignored, not resisted), this true self shines through and gives you a feeling of being "complete". Totally.
As said, it is that simple. You should allow yourself at least half an hour per session and try to meditate at least once per day.
Joining a group once a week to meditate together is wonderful and encouraging. You will find others talking about busy mind, stories, anxieties etc that you'll recognise in yourself. Satsang is a great place to discuss these topics and will help you enormously in your practice to come back to yourself.
There are many people who are busy with the gym, exercise and all sorts of physical activities, but few people remember to exercise the most important thing of all, their minds!
Once you know your mind intimately, it can start to work for you, and not you working for your mind!
There is no need to struggle or to suffer, all you have to do is to see what the true story really is. And, it's simple!
Meditation is the key to enlightenment, enjoy.
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