Namaste

 

 

 

What is Meditation

Benefits of Meditation

Guidelines for Meditation

Process of Meditation

Methods of Meditation

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What is Meditation

It always amazes me that so many people I talk to say they have not meditated before. Meditation is simply the desire to be alone, finding a quiet place within, and remaining there in silence. From this place of silence I can observe the workings of nature. Yet I cannot hear the sound of silence till I stop talking. The techniques of meditation help stop this chatter of the mind.

Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is one of the most natural yet beneficial human activities. Regular practice brings amazing results.

The benefits have been known to man for thousands of years. Yogis and initiates to ancient priesthood could survive being shut in boxes and initiation chambers through practice as breath and brain waves slow blood pressure and heart rate decrease and detoxification and circulation of blood increase. Blood chemistry changes for example lactic acid falls and skin resistance rises - all the measurements of stress Therefore it will reduce stress, as well as strengthen the immune system and help the bodies’ natural healing process.

EEG studies have shown that during meditation the brain will soon go into a continuous state of Alpha then Theta Waves - associated with drowsiness and sleep. That state is known as "restful alertness" and within meditation one stays there, accessing dream-like images. Initially the right and left sides of the brain align themselves and then the back and front of the brain.

Regular practice of meditation not only helps in proactive health, personal development, healing work, and spiritual life but will bring that comfort of knowing you are a child of nature, secure, permanent and loved.

Guidelines for Meditation

1.                  Find time and space.
Be as fully awake as possible with as little distraction as possible. Switch on the answer machine, off the ringer and lock the front door.

2.                  Find a comfortable position.
Sit upright with the waist, chest, neck and head held in a straight line, the body being supported by the diaphragm if you can. If not have the back but not the neck supported. Make sure the seat is neither too hard, nor too soft, and preferably faces North. The problem with lying down is the temptation to fall asleep. Close the eyes so that the attention goes inwards.

3.                  Regulate the breath.
Relax, take a couple of deep breaths, let go of any trying in your body, do whatever it is you do to find that space within yourself.

4.                  Silencing thought.
One cannot force the mind to be still. If your mind drifts to some thoughts observe them but don't get involved. Just observe. This means don't judge the thoughts as good, bad or interesting. Don't force the thoughts in or out. After some time your attention will drift back to the focus of your meditation. According to Eastern philosophy the obstructions to perfection are because of agitation within the mind. By controlling the activities of the mind and by keeping it calm, we are able to control our inner nature.

5.                  Meditate before eating.

6.                  Avoid caffeinated drinks beforehand.

7.                  Meditate twice daily

8.                  Meditate regularly.

9.                  Meditate for 20 minutes. You will know automatically but if time is crucial simply use a timer.

10.               Always do some physical exercise after the meditation.

 

Process of Meditation

The mind is just a thought-generating machine, the body is just a chemical factory. We are the ones whom control the machine and the factory. So how do we get beyond the thoughts - by going through the spaces between the thoughts. We dive through the spaces between the thoughts to access the next impulse that comes out as a thought - we dive through again and so on.

All methods of meditation are designed to allow us to slip into the silent spaces between the thoughts. We do this by putting our attention on some object that doesn't carry any meaning. We can interrupt the eternal cycle of thought by concentrating on an object that allows us to temporarily disconnect the meaning which keeps us in that association or train of thought.

                                Methods of Meditation                                       

Concentrative Techniques

Are techniques where one chooses an object of meditation, for example a mantra, observing or counting the breath, an image, say, a candle-flame. More examples:

Breath Counting Meditation

Focus totally on your own breathing, concentrating on the inhalation and exhalation. With each exhalation start counting, count up to 5 and repeat.

Breath Awareness Meditation

Close your eyes and request that you want to be present and observing nature. Take your attention to your breathing. Simply observe your inhalations and exhalations. Remain aware of your breathing without trying to alter it in any way. It may vary in speed, rhythm and depth, or even stop. Without resisting, calmly observe. Relinquish any expectations, treat them as any other thought.

A Mantra

Is simply a word or sound that you repeat over and over.

Flame Meditation

Place a candle 12-18 inches from the face, take a deep breath and centre yourself. Imagine yourself surrounded by the light. Gaze with a minimum of blinking. Imagine the flame is like a vacuum cleaner sucking all negative thoughts from your energy field into the flame and up into the ethers. Continue for 1-3 minutes until you feel a sense of release.

Contemplative techniques

Aim to provide a means of gaining first hand knowledge of the way things are without reliance on theories or opinions. This gives a sense of deep understanding that comes from knowing something for oneself without any doubt. Contemplative techniques build on concentrative techniques. Once the mind is calm the object of concentration is put to one side and the flow of mental images and sensations are observed as they arise. This is the method used in Buddhism and takes more practice. Remember thinking is just a subtle form of hearing.

 

for more on breathing techniques:
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NAMASTE  

I honour the place in you in which the entire universe dwells.
I honour the place in you which is of love, of truth, of light and peace.
When you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one.