Meditation
Meditation is a powerful yet effortless technique that allows the conscious mind to experience the silent depths of its own nature.
What is Meditation ?
- Mind without agitation is Meditation
- Mind in the present moment is Meditation
- Mind that has no hesitation, no anticipation is Meditation
- Mind that become “no mind” is Meditation
Meditation is letting go of anger from the past and all the planning for the future.
Meditation is accepting this moment and living every moment totally with depth. Just this understanding, and a few days of continuous practice of meditation can change the quality of our life.
Meditation is like the flight to the outer space, where there is no sunset, no sunrise, nothing.
I am sure that deep within, everyone of you feel that you have not grown, meaning you have not changed, not grown old. This indicates the soul in you, the depth in you, the spirit in you doesn't change, doesn't grow old, its not ageing. Getting in touch with that something that doesn't age, brings beauty in life. This is Meditation.
The goal of meditation is to focus and quiet your mind, eventually reaching a higher level of awareness and inner calm. It may come as a surprise to learn that you can meditate anywhere and at any time, allowing yourself to access a sense of tranquility and peace no matter what's going on around you.
Types of Meditation
Breathing Meditation
The most basic and universal of all meditation techniques, breathing meditation is a great place to start your practice. Pick a spot above your navel and focus on that spot with your mind. Become aware of the rising and falling of your abdomen as you breathe in and out. Don't make a conscious effort to change your breathing patterns, just breathe normally.
- Try to focus on your breathing and only your breathing. Don't think about your breathing or pass any sort of judgment of it (e.g. that breath was shorter than the last one), just attempt to know it and be aware of it.
- Some mental images which might help you include: imagining a coin sitting on the spot above your navel, rising and falling with your breath; imagining a buoy floating in the ocean, bobbing up and down with the swell or imagining a lotus flower sitting in your belly, unfurling its petals with every intake of breath.
Don't worry if your mind starts to wander - you are a beginner and, like anything, becoming good at meditation takes practice. Just make an effort to refocus your mind on your breathing and try to think of nothing else. Drown out the chatter and attempt to clear your mind.
Mantra meditation
Mantra meditation is another common form of meditation, which involves repeating a mantra (a sound, word or phrase) over and over, until you silence the mind and enter a deep meditative state. The mantra can be anything you choose, as long as it is easy to remember.
- Some good mantras to start out with include words like one, peace, calm, tranquil, and silence. If you want to use more traditional mantras, you can use the word "Om" which symbolizes omnipresent consciousness, or the phrase "Sat, Chit, Ananda" which means "Existence, Consciousness, Bliss".
- In Sanskrit, the word mantra means "instrument of the mind". The mantra is an instrument which creates vibrations in the mind, allowing you to disconnect from your thoughts and enter a deeper state of consciousness.
- Silently repeat the mantra over and over to yourself as you meditate, allowing the word or phrase to whisper through your mind. Don't worry if your mind wanders off, just refocus your attention and return to repeating the word.
- As you enter a deeper level of awareness and consciousness, it may become unnecessary to continue repeating the mantra.
Open Eye Meditation
In a similar way to using a mantra, you can use a simple visual object to fill your mind and allow you to reach a level of deeper consciousness. This is a form of open-eye meditation, which many people find easier when they have something to focus their gaze on.
- The visual object can be anything you wish, though many people find the flame of a lit candle particularly pleasant. Other possible objects include crystals, flowers, and pictures or statues of divine beings, such as the Buddha.
- Place the object at eye level, so you don't need to strain your head and neck to view it. Gaze at it and nothing else, until your peripheral vision starts to dim and the object consumes your vision.
- For example, in moments of stress, try to take a few seconds to focus solely on your breathing and empty your mind of any negative thoughts or emotions.
- You can also practice mindfulness while you eat, becoming aware of the food and of the sensations you experience as you eat.
- No matter what actions you perform in your day to day life, whether it's sitting at a computer or sweeping the floor, try to become more aware of your body's movements and how you feel in the present moment. This is living mindfully.
Usually, we give our anger freely and smile rarely as though a smile is costly. In Ignorance anger is cheaper and smile is costly . In knowledge, a smile is free like sun, air and water and anger is extremely expensive like diamond. So make your smile cheaper and anger expensive. Do meditate for calm and peaceful mind.
" Meditation doesn't have to be limited to strictly defined practice sessions, you can also practice mindfulness throughout your day today life ".