Meditation 101

Meditation has been around for thousands of years. The reason why so many engage in this activity is because of the so much wanted result this action brings about. The cause of suffering no matter if it is fear, worry, anger, jealousy, insecurity, stress, loneliness and desire, is associated with the mind. And to be exact it is the associating WITH mind that brings about these emotions.

Which brings us to the question: What is an emotion? An emotion is different than a feeling. An emotion is a reaction to a thought. Feelings are divine and completely independent of any “outside source”. There are only three divine feelings and they are peace, love and joy. A spiritual master experiences these three feelings all at the same time which is Bliss.

But back to meditation: Meditation is a tool to help one gain 1) control over the mind and 2) separate oneself from mind and simply become a witness to mind.

The mind is like a child that constantly wants something. It is screaming look at me and wanting constant attention. It is screaming I want this and I want that. It is screaming so loud that we can’t hear our own small voice inside of us and it is screaming so loud that we can’t hear, see, or observe anything that is truly going on around us. All of our attention is on this “child”.

In order to gain control over our life, be at peace, see the beauty all around us and hear that small inner voice which connects us with our true source, we need train the mind.

In order to train the mind, set 15 min aside ever day at the same time. This way you start training your mind and form a positive habit. Make sure you will not be disturbed by a phone going off. You may choose to lay down or sit, but if you get too comfortable you will fall asleep and miss all the action. If you set your meditation time of day to the evening time you are also more likely to fall asleep. So just try it and adjust to whatever, whenever works for you.

There are many ways to meditate but what all of them have in common is the focus of mind on one thing. This “one thing” can be anything. Focusing on breathing is the easiest, least expensive and you have wherever you go.

Close your eyes and put your attention on breathing in and out of your nostrils.

When a thought catches your attentions recognize it and bring your attention gently back to breathing. Keep doing this. This is training the mind to stay where you want it to be. With time it will get easier and fewer thoughts will have the power to pull your attention away from breathing.

When this goal is achieved, it is time to become aware of thought. See the thought... try to grasp it with your attention and recognize it as a thought. Do not judge the thought as good or bad…it is just a thought. You are observing a thought and no longer one with thought, but a witness to thought.  You are now free to be and observe the perfection beyond thought.