What is Meditation?
Meditation is
the stilling of the mind, allowing it to be calm yet focused
at the same time, while the body is relaxed. It is being in
the moment, letting go of thoughts and worries, and allowing
the heightening of the senses. It is also the process of
letting go of what we think we know, and opening up to, and
questioning what appears to be obvious.
Why Meditate?
There are
many reasons why people begin to meditate. Sometimes they
are wanting to improve their health, or to aid
concentration, to help them relax, for sporting
achievements, or for spiritual growth, and many other
reasons. Most people find the benefits are beyond their
original aims, and all aspects of their lives are improved.
For me,
one benefit is that it has made me more aware of my thinking
and how I react to situations based on my thoughts. I am
able to accept differences in others without judgement, and
to follow my own path without feeling controlled by other's
judgements. This is much less stressful than all the "shoulds"
built into our behaviour for ouselves and others. It has
also helped me in so many other ways.
About Meditation
There are
many forms and styles of meditiaton, and different styles
sometimes have different aims, but all types of meditation
help to attain a calmness of mind, and reduce stress levels.
Some
styles are very strict and require a singleness of focus,
discouraging any diversions into the imagination, while
other styles encourage open-ness to allow images which may
occur spontaneously to be accepted and welcomed.
You will
need to decide for yourself which style suits you best, and
it is helpful to try out several different types before
choosing one or two to work with in more depth. Even within
the different styles there are many different forms of
achieving a state of meditation, and you may even develop
some of your own which you can use.
It is an
interesting journey which will bring you many benefits in
both health and outlook on life.
Books I have found helpful:
Teach
Yourself to Meditate - by Eric Harrison
Simon &
Schuster, Australia
The
Power of the Inner Self - by Maureen Garth
Harper
Collins
How to
Meditate - Lawrence LeShan
Aquarian/Thorsons
Creative Visualization - Shakti Gawain
Bantam
|