Today there is a huge interest in the benefits of meditation. The enthusiasm seems to be in the “scientific proving” of its effectiveness for reducing more than just stress.
Because it is being catered on a grand-scale and many platforms; including teachers, practitioners, visionaries and counsellors alike, the problem arises as to the efficacy and proper guidance.
Let us not delude ourselves into thinking meditation is okay to be ‘packaged’, ‘commercialize’ or ‘secularized’.
You see, meditation was not meant to be commercially packaged, any more than yoga was meant to be ‘westernized’, since arriving about 65 years ago to North America.
There are many common elements and just as many forms of meditation out there with the essence of variety.
In presenting such a sacred tradition, I see and have seen the dangers for those embarking on the ‘journey’ only to be left unfulfilled.
Meditation when properly instructed, is meant to become an inner form of Yoga and can be the most wonderful adventure you will ever embark on. It can unfold vast new knowledge, joy, and awareness and inner peace. It is known as a path of self-discovery for unfolding our higher levels of consciousness and opening up a magical world, while being in complete stillness.
Science can examine it and analyze it but when we close our eyes only we can open up to the delightful dimensions, beautiful fields of unity and inner calm.
Did you know, traditional yoga does not teach meditation right away? In fact, establishing the right foundation (physically) in our lives must first be established. With the right preparation, meditation can be achieved.
Properly performed, asana or yoga postures & Chi Gong is meditation; a form of motion brought into the body with awareness. Remember, yoga is not just one thing!
The first three limbs of yoga consist of preparing ourselves in this fashion for meditation. The first three Limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras abide in the teaching of: Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (reflective meditation) & Samadhi (unified awareness).
As I’ve learned, meditation is not separate from how we live; it becomes the product of integrating and harmonizing with nature. Think of it as a farmers field that must be cultivated with care and as with daily meditation the blossoms of life emerge from the soil.
What is also crucial is to recognize how the spiritual doctrines, which usually accompany traditional meditation practices are just as necessary today as they were a thousands of years ago.
The evidence of jet-setting meditation will cause more defects and/or dissolution, which already can be found in so-called “secular meditation”.
Do not assume the goal of meditation is something physical and concrete or a temporary relief. Developing one focus of attention and concentration with time is necessary. So let ‘Science’ do what it think it is doing.
Allow yourself the luxury to sit in asana practice and become comfortable. The suggested period, up to 30 minutes once or twice a day, is enough to reap the benefits. Allow your body to become the vehicle for meditation, and avoid using background music or other distractions. Just sit still and be….
Pranayama (the 3rd Kosha/layer) is another dimension of our life force. It is with the breath that we infuse greater potential for success during meditation. The energy needed to call in the flow of breath is needed to keep us in the state of “focused-awareness”, otherwise we just fall into dull awareness, blank out or even fall sleep.
Pratyahara is defined as restful awareness. When the attention of the senses are internalized, then in subtle ways we achieve pratyahara in meditation.
Concentration (Dhyana), another limbmust be exercised or else we are simply spinning with our thoughts. The power of using a personal mantra to harness the attention and develop our inner gaze is taught only by qualified practitioners. In this way, concentration is stabilized and we become less distracted.
Mantras are great ‘divine names’, sounds, words or syllables. The mind tool of a mantra becomes the vehicle to take us into finding the essence of love in the heart. Pranava (Sanskrit) means Primordial Sound and this form of Meditation is what I specialize in.
Meditation in a higher sense is about self-inquiry, known also as the observance of ‘witnessing’. Questions such as: Who Am I? What do I Want? How can I Help? What am I grateful for? can be briefly contemplated. Then the reflection exercise, like mirror exercises bring into view our true self. The practice should be effortless…effortless effort, relinquish control and surrender to the divine.
By the way, putting meditation into practice after a “3 or 8-week workshop or course must continue to be cultivated for the cumulative effects can take place.
Whenever you approach meditation, make the space and time you’ve set aside sacred, be humble and established in devotional ‘practice’.
Do not presume that Meditation will only deliver results in a smooth linear fashion. As an experienced meditator, I know this is false and such presumptions are used to validate only short-term durations as most will experience, leaving us to crave.
In conclusion, meditation can enhance our self-esteem, encourage feeling good and alleviate stress. In today’s demanding world would you not rather have inner calm?
Om Mani Padme Hum ~ Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus
Lynn C. Pell, Cl. H. Vedic Practitioner, Certified Chopra Center Teacher
Foundress: In The Quiet ~ A Meditation Practice
Beautifully written and expressed. Effortless… what a wonderful word to reflect what meditation practice symbolizes. Often it initially feels like something we have to work hard to achieve or wrap our heads around. The simplicity of meditation in all it’s forms gives way to guide all of us, regardless of who we are or how we experience our lives, bringing us into a place of true inner awareness and connection.
Thank you for sharing. I look forward to learning more about Pranava.