Meditation - What is it really?

When first considering the term 'meditation', visions of the Budda, Yoga and its lotus position, and tibetan monks, are often conjured. However, the easiest and most accurate way to describe and understand what meditation actually is, is "methods of mental training", the desired outcome of which has two parts;

1. conscious cultivation of mental qualities which enhance understanding, power and love
2. intentional transformation or reducing states of mind which block the above mental qualities.
   

A quote that puts this very simply is "choices in a meditator's life are very simple: Do those things that contribute to your awareness, and refrain from those things that do not". (Sujata)

There are literally thousands of methods, or techniques of meditation, that have been used throughout history, throughout the world. They include, music, chants, silence, and the tensing and subsequent relaxing of muscles.
All of these techniques can be classified into one, or a combination of 4 categories;

1. Concentrative
2. Receptive
3. Reflective
4. Generative

Perception

Meditational Quote

Meditation techniques are discovered naturally by infants and little children: holding their breath, staring unblinking, standing on their heads, imitating animals, turning in circles, sitting unmoving and repeating phrases over and over until all else ceases to exist. Stop thinking meditation is anything special.
Stop thinking altogether!
Look at the world around you as if you had just arrived on Planet Earth. Observe the rocks in their natural formations, the trees rooted in the ground, their branches reaching to the sky, the plants, animals and interrelationships of each other. See yourself in the eyes of a dog in a park. See a flower through its essence. See a mountain through its massiveness.
When the mind allows itself to remain unmolested, there may be no mind and no object
- just breathless unity.
Surya Singer

Why Meditate Anyway?

There are many reasons people today choose to meditate using various methods and techniques. For many it is as a form of relaxation, others to combat sleep deprivation and disorders, and for others it is for religious or spiritual reasons (prayer being a form of meditation).

Living in the fast paced world we do today, relaxation and taking 'time-out' for oneself just doesn't happen. We simply don't have the time. For our bodies and brains to rest, regenerate, and so perform optimally, we need to do some form of meditation regularly. Regular meditation results in less stressed bodies, brains and individuals overall.

The physiological benefits of meditation are real, and have been scientifically proven. They include;

• decreased heart rate
• decreased blood pressure
• decrease in anxiety
• increased concentration
• increased reaction time
• increased creativity
• better sleep and sleep patterns
  
• reduced chemical addiction

among many, many others. (Levey 1991).

Zen Garden Relaxation

Ten Tips for Beginning Effective Meditation

1. Motivation
2. Regular Practice
3. A quiet environment
4. Focusing the mind
5. Let go - surrender. "Remember... relaxation is not something that you do. It is a natural response that you allow to happen. Relaxation is what is left when you stop creating tension."
6. Posture
7. External Guidance
8. Timing
9. Overcoming difficulties
10. Choosing a Technique
    

The Famous Mug Meditation

By Stephen C Thomas

There are lots of people who meditate, but there are also lots of people who just can't get themselves to sit on the floor in lotus position and get that oh so blissful look on their face. For one thing, they aren't sure they will ever get back up off the floor, and besides that, what if the boss walks by my cubicle and sees me sitting there like the guru Tuttifrutti or something. I chanted Om once and the person next to me almost beat the wall down telling me to shut up!

Here's a useful little meditation that can be done anywhere, except while driving. Get up from your desk, or whatever it is you are doing and go get a cup of coffee or tea, cocoa works too.

Sit back down and first of all, close your eyes. Now just hold the cup in both hands. Take the time to feel the warmth coming through the cup and into your hands. If it is too hot, set the cup down! This is about meditation, not pain! Anyway, feel the warmth. Notice it radiating from the cup into your hands.

Next, smell the aroma of whatever it is you have in the cup. Notice how it smells. Does it make your mouth water? Are you anxious to taste that wonderful elixir that will help you through the rest of the day; to turn your heavy burden into happiness?

Now, go ahead and taste it. Be careful! It might be hot! If it is not too hot, let it rest on your tongue for just a few seconds. So often we swallow so fast that we hardly taste what we eat or drink. Notice how it feels as it slides down your throat. Can you feel the warmth in your stomach?

Last, take a nice deep breath and let it out slowly. Notice how rested and how wonderful you feel. It only took a couple of minutes and you feel much better!

The boss, even if he went by, just thinks you are drinking some coffee. He has no idea you just went on a meditation holiday.


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Buddhist Chanting