Meditation

Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and think of nothing, or focus on something. That’s meditation. How difficult can it be right?

The key word here is ‘Understanding’. Firstly, we need to understand what meditation is all about. Secondly, we need to be patient. Meditation cannot be mastered in one lesson, or one session. To master a skill, or a craft takes ages – sometimes, a lifetime. And as with any learning, the more we practice, the better we get at it. Thirdly, we need to understand the aim of meditation.

When you have got the right perspectives of the above points, you will realise that it is indeed not difficult to meditate at all. Now, let’s go over each individual point.

What meditation is all about?
Basically, meditation is a practice to clear the mind of thoughts, to calm the mind so that you will experience peace of mind. When the mind is at ease, you will be able to see things more clearly. Just like when the water is muddy, you cannot see what is in the water. But when the water is clear, you can see what is in the water. So, that is why you meditate.

But, how can one clear the mind, when the mind is a thought producing factory, churning out numerous thoughts by the second. The production is in auto-mode. There is no stopping the production line. So what do you do? You don’t try to stop thoughts from coming into your mind. You should just let the thoughts come and go. Understand that it is a natural process. Resistance is futile. Only dead people don’t have thoughts, or think thoughts.

Patience
People try meditation once or twice, and they give up. They say it is difficult. They are not able to achieve anything and it is a waste of time. But, the time you take to sit in meditation is never wasted. They are practices, and they help to build up your patience. Persist in it and you will surely succeed.

People expect to gain enlightenment, or peace of mind, or good health, after sitting for a few sessions of meditation. That is not how it works. Forget about results. Bear this in mind – “it is not the destination, but the journey.” Focus on the journey, enjoy the journey, and before you know it, you will find that you have arrived at the destination.

Even the most experienced of meditators will tell you, they start from scratch at every new session. And most of the time they do not achieve anything either. Or if they do, the result is so minuscule, it is hardly noticeable. But if you do that regularly over a period of time the result will be quite noticeable. It is just like when you drop whatever spare penny you have in your piggy bank. One day, you realised that there is actually quite a bit in there, without you noticing it.

Don’t expect complete peace of mind after meditating, or enlightenment at one sitting. Long time meditators will tell you that if you are lucky, you will feel refreshed after a session. And if you are really, really lucky, you will have a second or two of clarity of mind. And it doesn’t mean if you achieve that today, you will achieve that from here on. Every session is a new beginning. You start all over at every session.

The aim of meditation
The third point is the most important. People meditate hoping to gain something. But the aim of meditation is also to let go of something. It is only when you let go, or are able to let go, that you can gain new things. Clear the clutter in your mind, let go of your worries, and troubles. If you keep thinking of your worries, or troubles when you sit down to meditate, you will only be magnifying your woes. So, before you can achieve anything, you have to let go first. Not the other way round. Many people fail to understand this, and that is why they do not succeed in meditation.

Don't meditate with expectations in mind. Otherwise, you will be hoping and expecting something to happen. You won't be meditating at all. Meditate without expectations and let things happen naturally. Go with the flow.

In conclusion, get the right perspective on Mediation. Be patient. Persevere. And given time, surely, you will reap the benefits of meditation.

Cheers!

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Meditation

For Google+ readers, please click on the link to see the post

Training your Monkey Mind

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2016/07/26/tibetan-buddhist-master-monk-explains-how-meditation-is-not-what-most-people-think-it-is/

The Scientific Power of Meditation

http://thespiritscience.net/2016/07/09/why-your-mind-shouldnt-be-going-blank-during-meditation/

Please copy and paste the link if clicking on them doesn't work

Meditation

Did You Know That Meditation Actually Increases The Size of Your Brain?

http://truththeory.com/2015/12/17/did-you-know-that-meditation-actually-increases-the-size-of-your-brain-video/

Please copy and paste the link if clicking on it doesn't work

Meditation

http://iheartintelligence.com/2015/11/30/dont-know-about-meditation/

The Art Of Doing Nothing

Taken from the site - 'The Way Of Meditation'

By Chad Foreman 

http://thewayofmeditation.com.au/blog/the-way-of-meditation-the-art-of-doing-nothing/#

Meditation - Quotes

Drop all ideas of achieving in meditation, just do it naturally; what happens happens on its own. One day, effortlessly, everything starts happening by itself. - Osho

Just go into the room, open the doors and windows, sit in the center of the room and see who comes to visit. You will witness all kinds of scenes and actors, all kinds of temptations and stories, everything imaginable. Your only job is to stay in your seat. You will see it all arise and pass, and out of this,  wisdom and understanding will come. - Ajahn Chah

Buddha was asked, “What have you gained from meditation?” He replied, “Nothing! However, let me tell you what I have lost: anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death.” - Unknown

Meditation is for you to realise that the deepest nature of your existence is beyond thoughts and emotions, that it is incredibly vast and interconnected with all other beings. - Tenzin Palmo

When we mediate we sow ourselves down into stillness and silence so we can finally hear the whispers deep within our heart. - Davidji

When you have achieved a state of deep meditation, you unlock the door to your subconscious mind. That is where your power to create the lfie you desire lies. - Adrian Calabreso 

You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day, unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour. - Old Zen saying

Meditation is not evasion. It is a serene encounter with reality. - Thich Nhat Hanh

A Little ‘Om’ May Help Lift The Spirit

Study review shows drop in anxiety and depression in those who meditate

By Nicole Ostrow

Meditation may offer the same relief as antidepressants for people with symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to an analysis of previous findings on the practice.

A review of 47 studies showed a 5 per cent to 10 per cent reduction in anxiety symptoms and a 10 per cent to 20 per cent improvement in depression in individuals who meditated compared with placebo groups, according to research published on Jan 6 in the Jama Internal Medicine journal. The analysis also suggested that meditation eased pain, though it was not clear which types of pain it relieved the most.

The findings may support the use of ‘mindfulness’ meditation as a way to moderate the need for medications to treat anxiety and depression, said Dr Allan Goroll, a professor of medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, in an accompanying editorial.

Mindfulness meditation is a form practised for 30 – 40 minutes a day that teaches a person how to become more aware of one’s thoughts, breathing and emotions.

“The findings of such research should be the subject of conversations that need to begin in every examination room and extend to engage the media, who play a key role in determining patient attitudes towards health care and the demand for services,” Dr Goroll wrote.

Researches looked at 47 trials through June of 3,515 people. The studies included meditation and evaluated an assortment of mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, insomnia, heart disease, chronic pain and stress.

Patients who underwent about eight weeks of training for mindfulness meditation showed improvement in symptoms of anxiety, depression and  pain. Most of the patients had not been diagnosed with clinical anxiety or depression. The reduction in symptoms was similar to the effects  that other studies have found for the use of antidepressants in similar populations, researchers said.

Dr Madhav Goyal, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and the study’s lead author, said the researchers do not know why meditation may work at relieving depression and anxiety, though It could be that people who meditate reduce their reaction to negative emotions or symptoms, lowering the effects of the emotions.

“Clinicians should be prepared to talk with their patients about the role that meditation programmes could have un addressing psychological stress, particularly when symptoms are mild,” he said in an e-mail.

Still, larger studies are needed to better understands who is helped the most by meditation programmes, Dr Goyal said.

“Our review suggests that there is moderate evidence for a small but consistent benefit for anxiety, depression and chronic pain,” he said.

“There is not known major harm from meditation, and medication doesn’t come with any know side effects. One can also practise meditation along with other treatments one is already receiving.”

There was little evidence in the analysis that meditation improved the quality of life or stress and not enough information to show if other areas, including attention, substance abuse, sleep and weight, were improved by the practice, the authors said.

“We should keep foremost in our mind that meditation was never conceived of as a treatment for any health problem,” Dr Goyal said. “Rather, it is a path one travels on to increase his awareness and gain insight into his life. The best reason to meditate is to increase insight into one’s life, which is probably good for everyone.”

- Washington Post

Meditation

More quotes on Meditation...

              Man needs silence, and an opportunity to meditate. One may even need to isolate himself temporarily from outside interference to be able to think through and assimilate his experiences, to attain understanding and insight into them. By watching for the illuminating gleam of intuition, listening for the whisper of the inner self, one can find new answers to his problems, new directions for his life, new ways to fulfil his dreams.

              Our continued growth depends upon our ability to correctly channel our thoughts and knowledge into constructive achievement. 

Don't think that only sitting with the eyes closed is practice. Steady practice is keeping mindful in every posture, whether sitting walking, standing or lying down. When coming out of sitting, don't think that you're coming out of meditation, but that you are only changing postures. If you reflect in this way, you will have peace. Wherever you are, you will have this attitude of practice with you constantly. You will have a steady awareness within yourself. 

“We step and do not step in the same river, we are and are not.” Such unity is the achievement of the meditator in response to the creative spirit he discovers within himself. 

When the mind is sluggish or depressed and weary, that is no time for cultivation tranquillity and meditation. As well might you hope to make a fire by piling wet grass upon it. 

Meditation

              In meditation, one returns to one’s breath.

              So you see your thinking arising and you just let it go. You don’t push it away, you don’t prevent it; you don’t hold it, you return to your breath. Return to your breathing. Then over time, you get to see that your thinking has no substance. Good thinking, bad thinking, has no substance. Then it can’t control you. - Venerable Hyon Gak

Above all, it is not necessary that we should have any unexpected, extraordinary experiences in meditation. This can happen, but if it does not, it is not a sign that the meditation period has been useless. Not only at the beginning, but repeatedly, there will be times when we feel a great spiritual dryness and apathy, an aversion, even an inability to meditate. We dare not be balked by such experiences. Above all, we must not allow them to keep us from adhering to our meditation period with great patience and fidelity. It is, therefore, not good for us to take too seriously the many untoward experiences we have with ourselves in meditation. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It's a way of entering into the quiet that's already there – buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day. - Deepak Chopra

The real glory of meditation lies not in any method but in its continual living experience of presence, in its bliss, clarity, peace, and most important of all, complete absence of grasping. The diminishing of grasping in yourself is a sign that you are becoming freer of yourself. And the more you experience this freedom, the clearer the sign that the ego and the hopes and fears that keep it alive are dissolving, and the closer you will come to the infinitely generous "wisdom of egolessness." When you live in the wisdom home, you'll no longer find a barrier between "I" and "you," "this" and "that," "inside" and "outside;" you'll have come, finally, to your true home, the state of non-duality. - Sogyal Rinpoche

All too often people come to meditation in the hope of extraordinary results, like visions, lights, or some supernatural miracle. When no such thing occurs, they feel extremely disappointed. But the real miracle of meditation is more ordinary and much more useful. - Sogyal Rinpoche

{While meditating} I sit quietly and rest in the nature of mind; I don't question or doubt whether I am in the "correct" state or not. There is no effort, only rich understanding, wakefulness, and unshakable certainty. When I am in the nature of mind, the ordinary mind is no longer there. There is no need to sustain or confirm a sense of being: I simply am. - Sogyal Rinpoche 

Suffering occurs when people are enslaved by their thoughts. Meditation teaches one to let them go like one’s breath. - Venerable Hyon Gak

Sit Down for a While

Here are some Quotes on Meditation. 

Sitting silently, one should experience quietly all that is happening around and do nothing else. You are hearing sounds, listen to them silently; a bird is singing, listen to it silently; the breath is moving in and out, go on watching it silently – nothing else has to be done. - Osho

The art of meditation is the art of listening with your total being. If one can learn how to listen rightly, one has learned the deepest secret of meditation. - Osho

You have to learn meditation to enjoy your emptiness. - Unknown 

Meditation is to religion what the laboratory is to science. - Paramahansa Yogananda

Meditation tends to free a great deal of energy that is usually tied up in various kinds of mental and emotional tensions. When these tensions are released we have more energy available to live full and creative lives. Unknown 

Meditation is a method to access the insight and wisdom which lie hidden in your Divine Nature. It is a form of spiritual training that will help you find contact with God and harmony between body, mind and God.- Unknown 

Meditation aspires to rediscover the Light by removing the layers of unwanted thoughts that are covering it. Once you free yourself from unwanted thoughts, there will be room to observe learn, reflect and accept. - Unknown 

For 15 minutes, simply sit silently and think that the whole world is a dream…. And that there is nothing of any significance in it. - Osho

Sit quietly, doing nothing, springs comes, and the grass grow by itself. - Zen Koan

Empty yourself of everything, let the mind become still. - The book of Tao

The essence of meditation is ‘nowness’… (it) is not aimed at achieving a higher state or at following some theory or idea, but simply, without any object or ambition, trying to see what is here and now. - Chogyam Trungpa

Your Heart’s Garden

Millie Gounder shares a special meditation for peace and joy. 

Meditation is ancient, simple and beautiful – and for these reasons, embraced in some form by every culture on the Earth. Dedicated practice is the green keeper of this quiet contemplation, of focus, and clear intention. By sitting in meditation, one acknowledges time to nurture the spirit. While meditation is infinitely creative, calming, and immeasurably a self enhancing tool, it demands the sacred silence so resonantly that, ultimately, one’s inner voice begins a journey towards clarity and strength. Meditating regularly is a wonderful vehicle for tapping into inner peace, rewarding you with a tangible connection to your true heartbeat. Meditation is currently enjoying a vibrant rebirth, as ancient wisdom becomes more widely available. And the benefits are a sacred and simple joy. 

It is an interesting coincidence that peace has been defined both as a state of serenity and calm, and also as a state of freedom from war. It would seem at this turbulent time, that peace in all its forms is a highly desirable goal. While acting for peace in the physical environment is immensely valuable, the thoughts we foster in our hearts also create a very tangible effect. It makes sense, then, to nurture feelings of peace within our heart. Our heartfelt energy affects the way in which we approach and treat the people around us, and creates a trickle down effect. And as a gentle raindrop can create ripples upon the ocean that can be felt across the Earth, so, too, can a peace-filled conscience create a better self and greater world around us. If, in our hearts, we believe in magic and divine grace, who can know what miraculous effect this could have in the greater scheme of things. In a breath, in a thought we can make a positive difference of great wonder. In every way, you will feel better within your own life, as you connect with yourself and others in a more positive, peaceful and loving way. 

This meditation is written with the hope that perhaps a part of you will tingle, and it will strike a chime of truth within your heart. I have chosen a heart’s garden visualization as a simple method to achieve peace and relaxation through meditation, while also allowing yourself to plant positive and nurturing thoughts into your heart. 

Just focus on the feelings and sit in silence simply visualising a peace-filled heart. Just know that your intuition will always guide you to the right place. 

Let us begin this beautiful journey.

Sit very comfortably, either outside in nature or inside in a spacious room. You can meditate alone or with friends. Sometimes meditating in a group can be wonderful, as you can discuss experiences together afterwards. Sitting comfortably, close your eyes and begin to breathe very deeply and slowly. Begin to become aware of the methodical beating of your heart. Recognizing the silence, allow your body to slowly become more and more still. Slowly, feel more aware of how serene and gentle you feel, and how totally relaxed every muscle in your entire body has become. 

Breathe in deeply and begin to visualize swirling, shimmering, silver and golden speckled, radiant white light filling the entire space surrounding you. This light represents all that is pure, all that is love, all that promises a rare glimpse of a world steeped in positive peaceful respect. The light also represents the highest and most loving energy of the universe, and brings eternal love and protection. Gently, the light gets stronger and stronger, as if it were itself the dawning of a bright and rich new day. Feel around you this sun drenched, luminous energy drawing closer, caressing your entire body. Your skin tingles with dewy freshness, and your energy drinks of the elixir of radiant health and expressive self love. 

And as the shimmering, golden, warm honey light slowly sinks into your physical body, you feel warmed, nurtured, and caressed by that power which you call your God. This beautiful time honours all that you are, a sacred and cherished being. There is no other like you in the entire world and that makes you a miraculous blessing to those around you. 

The light slowly fills your entire body and you release any worrying thoughts and allow yourself to be submerged in the loving arms of the universe, visualising that you are whole and alive. In this same breath, there is a recognition that as you are special and cherished, so, too, is each person you meet. As you see this in your mind’s eye, boundaries slowly start to fall away – you are now completely relaxed and full of loving supporting, nurturing, light. 

Slowly, you visualise the centre of your body, especially focusing on your spine, from the tailbone up to the crown (top) of your head. Notice that there are seven shining discs of colour spinning vividly through seven centres (chakras) of your body. The chakras are energy centres within the body, and as you recognise the strength and colour pulsating in each, you realign your subtle energetic body. Start to bring your focus to your base or root chakra (in the pelvic area), where there is a vivid and deep red, pulsating rich life energy. It allows your energy to embrace physical life, empowering vitality, health, and energy. We now acknowledge the navel chakra, which pulsates a strong and creative flow of orange, encouraging creativity, and strong and mutually fulfilling relationships. A yellow shimmer now radiates strongly from the solar plexus chakra, offering a centre of knowledge and self esteem. Now, as we move up to the heart chakra, in the centre of the upper chest, a dazzling and nurturing emerald green light floods the entire space, acknowledging that the energy of unconditional love beats strongly. As we move towards the throat chakra, we see the strengthening colour of sapphire blue, loudly heralding the happiness of speaking your truth in the moment, in peace, and in love. We are now guided towards the third eye centre, found on the forehead between your eyes. Envision the most beautiful indigo amethyst colour, and it opens for us an amazing capacity to seek and find deeper truths and meanings. And now as we move to the crown chakra, right at the top of the head, a soft colour of violet emits a powerful connection to the universe. 

Stop and breathe for a while, and allow yourself to integrate the qualities and clarity of the radiant array of colour and depth of beauty that exists within your being. Allow your senses to connect with all the energies of light and love. Submerge yourself in the beauty and the quiet – this is a sacred moment of silence for you and only you. 

You feel warm, nurtured, radiant and peaceful. It is now time to move into the heart’s chakra. As you slowly direct the visualization back into the joyful light of the emerald green chakra, you see a door. Open it and walk in. There is a garden inside. Have a good look around. Is it vibrant, or is it overgrown with weeds? This garden is the home of your spirit. Is it a place where you feel nurtured? If not, take some time now to visualize a more vibrant garden, one with beautiful flowers growing in every direction. 

See yourself strolling through this magnificent garden, and see each part of it radiating pure perfect love back towards you. Magical crystals slowly emerge out of the ground to form lovely sculptures and seats. Maybe there is a refreshing waterfall in the garden, splashing fun and delicious droplets of cool water everywhere. Or maybe there are trees that lean over and talk with you as they sway in the wind. Are there magical fairies playing in big mushroom castles? 

Within this space there can be an area dedicated to peace. Nurture this place and make it fruitful. It is your garden, and anything is possible in this place. It is a space that invites peace and nurture, the drumbeat of love in all its forms within your life. Give it that much energy and it will return it into your daily life tenfold. 

Enjoy this magical kingdom, where your dreams are real, and play for a while. Rest and take some time to digest the abundance of your creativity. Find a place in your garden to lie down, with the sun warming your body and just allow yourself to drift wherever you might go. It may be nowhere, or it could be on a grand journey with many insights – whatever happens is appropriate for where you are right now. Stay as long as you like, and when you open your eyes just remember to come back to the present. Remember to thank the universe for your insight, and all the blessings you really do have in your life. 

This is a very simple meditation that only begins to touch the surface of the many beautiful aspects of meditation and chakras. There are many wonderful books on both subjects, and also many meditation groups. So investigate all the great opportunities that are available for self growth if you have enjoyed this very brief version. 

As I sit and write this, I observe the great celestial sojourn. Silently, as the moon travels across the face of my window, I am entranced. Quiet, gentle, peaceful, I have found my centre again. The black velvet sky is mesmerizing and all encompassing. The silver light of the moon is a radiant beauty that has inspired many a poet throughout history, as now she inspires me. This shimmering focus in the night sky holds my thoughts, and I slowly unravel from the day. A gentle breeze rustles the tree outside my window, and I am invigorated by the cool sea air. I feel relaxed. I watch as the moon holds to her path, across that eternal night sky, and my thoughts echo that I must also hold onto peaceful thoughts with such ease. 

I am reminded daily of all the things that I have to be grateful for, and as I sit here and watch the moon go past my window, I realize I am enjoying a completely conscious and awake meditation. You see meditation simply slows you down enough to smell the roses. So, enjoy the fragrant miracle of your own heart’s garden, and may your life be blessed and filled with peace.

The Physiological Effects Of Meditation

A Mystical point of view on Meditation 

Essentially, meditation seems to produce a physiological state of deep relaxation couple with a wakeful and highly alert mental state. There tends to be a lower metabolic rate and decreases in heart and respiration rates.

There is also typically, in meditation, a slowing of the heartbeat. The lactate concentration of the blood decreases sharply during meditation, nearly four times as fast as it does in people resting quietly stretched out in a safe, quiet situation. Blood lactate level is related to anxiety and tension, and the low level found in subjects during meditation is very likely related to the relaxed state of the meditators.

Meditation is achieved at the point where mind and spirit converge. The mind is the instrument that disciplines, and the spirit represents the special endowment of man that must be cultivated by special control and dedicated efforts.

The idea of revelation is based on the premise that the mind of man is not only able to be aware of cosmic knowledge, but also that in some mysterious way there seems to be a cosmic initiative seeking to make itself known to man. This calls for the mind that is not only seeking but also willing to be sought. There has long been a feeling that man has a capacity of consciousness for direct communication with cosmic wisdom.

The mystic employs silence as a form of communication charged with meaning. In meditation something of the creative nature of the being achieves a meaning that is not bound by the symbolic structure of language. The forms this creative process employ varies with our understanding of the nature of the cosmos and the nature of the human personality.

The unique quality of man’s nature has always been a matter of deep concern to him. Self-consciousness is not only a privilege but is also a burden.

The concept of the spirit that emerges from scientific inquiry is different in degree but not in nature from that of mystical thought. Science can go only so far in showing what this spiritual quality is. The mystics’ inclination is more concerned with employing this spiritual energy in the process of living.

Man is constantly immersed in three force fields. Cosmic radiation, electromagnetic and gravitational force fields are constantly at work on life.

In his integration of experience the mystic denies the appearance of conflict or diversity in ultimate reality. The more practical minded have always challenged the mystic with the problems of good and evil, the false and the true, the beautiful and the ugly with their apparent conflicts. But the mystic finds the answer in a spiritual experience exalted enough to resolve all the differences in a higher unity.

- Author Unknown 

The Meditation Posture

In preparing for meditation, the environment should be one that is in harmony with the inner self. It is difficult to generalize in this area, since each one’s sense of harmony differs in some respect. Some like quiet. Some like warmth. Some like natural surroundings, and some like an assemblage of accoutrements to help them reach the meditative state.

The posture should be one that frees the body from any particular restrictive positioning of arms or legs. We recommend that feet be flat on the floor, uncrossed, and that hands lie loosely in the lap, palms down. If a person does not feel at ease in this position, he should not hesitate to alter these suggestions to suit his own preferences.

Even though we speak of man’s duality, of his spiritual and physical sides, we should never lose sight of the fact that he is but ONE person. There is little we do in life that does not involve both the spiritual and physical selves. When we sit to meditate, the level of our meditation depends a lot upon our physical comfort at the time. If there is any irritant at all in the physical environment, our meditations is affected. A person is more apt to enjoy spiritual communion with the inner self when physical health is up to par. And a person is more apt to enjoy physical health when the spirits are high and the inner-self is pleased with its accomplishments. In practical application, it is best that you constantly think of yourself as a whole person, with physical and spiritual needs interdependent.

When both environment and physical condition are in harmony with your inner self, you are in a position most conducive to success in meditation exercises.

- Author Unknown 

More on Meditation…

Meditation is an asset towards the realization of the sixth sense. To put it very simply meditation calms down our five senses to enable the surfacing of the sixth sense. It is of instrumental value. It must be reminded however that meditation is not as simple as it seems and that it is part and parcel of a complex system, necessary for realization of the sixth sense.

Meditation is a state in which the brain ‘takes a rest’ from all thoughts and emotions, and focuses on one idea or object. Some meditative states lead the person’s brain to alpha waves, a state in which the brain functions at a different speed and at a higher sensitivity of absorption than in its regular waking state. In addition to its significant contribution to the health of the body and mind and to crating a healthy and tranquil life, meditation is known to release tension, dispel, negative emotions, increase creativity, and improve the ability to concentrate and focus; it also contributes to spiritual openness to a very great extent.

Meditation can strengthen the aura in a number of ways. 

First of all, by getting the person into a state of calmness, meditation exerts a positive effect on the nervous system, muscle tone, blood pressure and circulation, and organ function. When the body becomes stronger and the action of its organs becomes balanced, the aura of the body and the flow in the meridians become stronger, affecting, of course, all the layers of the aura. This is the primary and most basic action of meditation.

In addition, meditation is one of the most excellent tools for development, spiritual growth, filling up with energy, strengthening and cleansing the aura, receiving messages, and developing spiritual abilities such as the ability to sense and see auras.

There are a large variety of methods of meditation that are suitable for different purposes, ranging from calming the body to channelling and receiving messages from divine beings. Basically, most of the forms of meditation include conscious breathing (concentrating on breathing, and different breathing techniques), relaxing the body, or activating it in a particular and conscious way, intellectual calmness, and focusing and cantering on what is being done until the mind has been emptied of all emotions and thoughts (in some forms of meditation).

There are methods that concentrate on meditating with certain mantras, and on focusing on the organs of the body or the chakras; there are forms of dynamic meditation in which there is movement; there is meditation to sounds, hypnotic meditation, and numerous other forms of meditation. The vast majority of the various forms of meditation strengthen the body’s electro-magnetic field significantly.

Because personality structure varies from person to person, a form of meditation that suits one person is liable to be completely unsuitable for another. This is why each person must carefully check which form of meditation is suitable for him, and not insist too much upon a form that is unsuitable for his personality structure at a given time.

Furthermore, it is important to pay attention to the place in which the meditation takes place. It should be remembered that during meditation, the person’s sensitivity to reception is very high. If a person meditates in a place in which there were previously low or negative energies of any kind (and they may still be present there), those energies are liable to penetrate his electro-magnetic field and harm it, especially if he is not experienced and skilled at meditating.

The duration of the meditation is something that must be taken into account, and the person must know the limits of his abilities. When a person who is just beginning to meditate exceeds the boundaries of his meditative abilities, it is similar to a beginner athlete who runs a distance that exhausts his body and his muscles. For this reason, it is important to start meditating for short periods – five to ten minutes – and gradually increase the length of time.

Meditation should take place in a physically and energetically clean and pleasant room. It is a good idea to decide upon a fixed place in the home for performing meditation, since the place will gradually absorb the meditative energies that are transmitted in it, and the vibrations there will help the person enter a meditative state more quickly and easily.

Incense, an essential oil burner or crystals can be placed in the room.

- Author Unknown 

Meditation

There are basically three main reasons for meditation: first, to develop our powers of concentration, second, to realize our true nature (that is, to become enlightened), and third, to help us actualise this true nature in our daily life.

Our powers of concentration can be developed if we keep meditating regularly, preferably every day. Then eventually we can look back over our past and realise that our concentration has indeed improved. Although meditation does have the effect of relaxing us, it is mainly a process of improving our concentration by concentrating on one thing (such as breadth–counting) and letting all other distracting thoughts go. Afterwards, we find that we concentrate better on anything that we want to.

The main importance of this improved concentration is that it enables us to work with a one-pointed mind in order to attain our goals, because we are less distracted by worries and various addictions. Now, this in itself does not necessarily make us a better person because our goals may still be selfish and greedy. But if we are trying to become less selfish and more selfless, meditation will help us to do this.

However, we cannot transform ourselves completely until we realize our true nature – that is until we become enlightened, (which is the most important goal for all Buddhists). This is the second reason for meditation and it goes much deeper than the first: to become enlightened is to cut through the illusion of self, which is the great delusion of life that causes us so much worry and frustration. 

We try to manipulate our circumstances and other people for the sake of this illusory “I”, but this can never alleviate the anxiety that persists at the core of our being – it just makes us feel more lonely and isolated. Realizing our true nature is the only thing which can give us true peace and contentment. One who is enlightened is relaxed at the deepest level because he knows and feels that the core of his being is empty, and the experience of that emptiness is great joy and freedom.

The third reason for meditation is to actualise this realization in our daily life - that is to understand the implications of what we have realized for our daily activities and to live according to them. If enlightenment is to realize that there is no self, then actualising this is to develop selflessness in all situations.

Even after enlightenment, all our old, selfish self-indulgent impulses and habits are still there. But the advantage of having realized one’s true nature is that it is much easier to change oneself because it is easier to let self-centred thoughts go and to ignore them when they arise. It is easier to do this because all thoughts and impulses, like everything else, are now realized to be empty. “I” do not think thoughts because there is no “I”, but thoughts do arise and pass away. All thoughts and feelings are temporary: they arise from nowhere and, if one does not cling to them, they disappear without a trace.

Meditation is distinctively a human phenomenon, and therefore should be dealt with from a human point of view, with human feelings and human understanding. Human problems and their solutions are basically psychological in nature. Our real problems can be solved only by giving up illusions and false concepts and bringing our lives into harmony with reality. And this can be done only through meditation.

Why Meditation is very important

We meditate to gain serenity, peace, joy, greater efficiency in everyday life, to increase our power to love, to achieve a deeper view of reality. Our real goal, however, is to become more complete, to more fully live the potential of being human.

Meditation is a way of focusing the mind to bring the body into a state of calmness and clarity. In the Buddhist sense it means the culture of mind and it aims at developing man as a whole.

One who knows how to practise meditation will be able to control his mind when it is misled by the senses. Meditation is the remedy for physical and mental disorders.

If we could control the mind, then we will be able to purify it. Through the purification of mind we can see things as they truly are. Once the mind is purified it will be free from mental hindrances. Ultimately we will be able to find our salvation without any difficulty.

Meditation, certainly, is not a voluntary exile from life or something practised for the hereafter. Meditation should be applied to the daily affairs of life and its results are obtained here and now. It is part and parcel of our life. The ultimate aim of Buddhist meditation is to gain full enlightenment (Nirvana) through the conquest of mental defilements.

But apart from this ultimate aim there are other advantages and benefits that can be derived through meditation. It can inspire us to discover our own character. Meditation can relax the nerves, control or reduce the blood pressures, make us zestful by stemming the dissipation of energy through tensions, improve our health and keep us fit. It can also stimulate the latent powers of the mind, aid clear thinking, develop deep understanding, mental balance and tranquillity. Even some psychosomatic ailments could be cured by meditation. We can use meditation in treating emotional and stress disease and vicious drug addiction. Meditation is one of the types of mental therapy which could be use with advantage in treating chronic illness. It is a creative process which aims at converting the chaotic feelings and unwholesome thoughts into mental harmony and purity.

- Author Unknown 

Meditation

Meditation. A simple process where you sit quietly and think of nothing else except to be aware of your breathing. Done correctly and on a regular basis you will have good health. You could be Enlightened in the process. You might even have a glimpse of another dimension. 

Now who does not want that? And how difficult can it be right? – to sit down quietly and do nothing but be aware of your breath? Well, try it and see, and you will know why meditation is not as popular as it should be.

Personally, I have tried meditation and I must confess that I wasn’t very successful.

Some have said that meditation can be dangerous at the advanced level because we do not know what we might encounter in the meditative state. 

However, not many people will progress beyond the beginning stage, let alone the advanced stage. So it is perfectly all right for you to go ahead and try meditation on your own. And if you find that meditation is for you and you want to advance further, then look for a reputable teacher.

Someone likened practising meditation to swimming in a river against the current.

The following are some comments from people who practice meditation. If this interest you, stay tuned for more articles on Meditation.

Everyone should take some time off to meditate. We may never achieve the state of ‘awareness’ that monks and mystics reached but still, meditation clears our mind, giving us inner peace and inner calm. Through meditation, we will have a clearer view of the whole picture, of life. This will help us deal better with the realities of/in life.

Although one can meditate in a group, meditation is still a very individual and private activity. When you close your eyes to meditate, you are on your own. In fact, it might be better to meditate on your own, as there would be less distractions. 

What does meditation involve? Simply put, you just sit silently and witness your mind-process, while keeping your attention on the breath.

Nothing needs to be done. Just be a witness, an observer, a watcher, looking at the traffic of the mind - thoughts passing by, desires, memories, dreams, fantasies. Simply stand aloof, cool, with no condemnation, no evaluations. Once you get the knack of it, it is the most simple thing in the world.

However, there are a few essential things to be remembered: The first is a relaxed state - no fight, no control, no concentration. The second is watchfulness - witness whatever is going on inside of you. And the third is, don't have any judgment or evaluation about it. Just be a watcher.

We meditate to find, to recover, to come back to something of ourselves we once dimly and unknowingly had and have lost without knowing what it was or when we lost it. We may call it access to more of our human potential or being closer to ourselves and to reality, or to more of our capacity for love and zest and enthusiasm, or our knowledge that we are a part of the universe and can never be alienated or separate from it, or our ability to see and function in reality more effectively.

As we work – in meditation – we find ourselves more at home in the universe, more at ease with ourselves, more able to work effectively at our tasks and toward our goal, closer to our fellow man, less anxious and less hostile. 

A person who has trained his body and is confident of it feels far less vulnerable and therefore behaves differently in many situations than a person with an untrained and uncoordinated body.