When a wave settles down, then it instantly recognizes that its source in ocean
- infinite, silent, and unchanging
- was always there. -Deepak Chopra, M.D.
Meditation is the art of falling in love. There is always an object of focus. The object of focus can be breath, a religious
symbol, a line of a prayer or a secular phrase, a song, a candle flame or a concept such as "Love", "infinity" or God. It
can be anything religious or secular.
When you meditate, you are training the mind to fall in love with the object of focus. You become more deeply absorbed
in it as a "merging" process takes place. When the thoughts wander, you let them be. You are the sky. They are just the clouds
moving through it. It is best not to hinder their movement. You can take note of the fact that you are thinking or experiencing
emotions. Then, you gently guide your awareness back to the object of focus. This trains you to be present with the reality
of the moment and with "what is".
Your thoughts, emotions and sensations: What are they? They are the waves of the ocean- always rising and falling. What
is the ocean itself? It's you. When you can be present with the "waves" in a calm, detached manner, you become more like
the ocean itself. Then, you cease to merely identify with the waves. Such a discovery only comes through ever-deepening
experience. Theologies will never help much with that until they become real through experience.
Meditation is the practice of the experience behind all the theologies, symbols and thought patterns of the Great Traditions,
both secular and religious. The commonalities of the various approaches to meditation all come from the direct experience
of surrendering and getting to know the reality behind all of our daily mental projections. The more you practice the experiential
approach to calm serenity, the more such concepts and names point to the same indivisible Reality. The distinctions,
created by the distracted mind, fall away, giving to a realization that the diversity of spiritual concepts is merely a difference
of language, symbols and emphasis.
So, what is meditation? Words will never do this question any justice. Therefore, consider my answers totally full of
crap and see for yourself.
Some will say that meditation is the art of "turning off the mind". Perhaps at some stage, this is so. It is not the
initial starting point. If you try to make it the starting point, you'll be riding a bucking bronco.
What is the starting point, then? There are many. It is your personal background and temperament that determines your
most opportune portal to meditation. Therefore, we'll mention a few, one at a time.
Some Theravada Buddhists may begin with a lovingkindness meditation to melt all grudges while cultivating a more peaceful
inner space. After that comes mindfulness meditation. They may begin by watching the breath and, when thoughts and sensations
come up, peacefully allowing them to occur before bringing the mind back to the breath.
In some Chinese disciplines, one may begin with a favorite nature spot to calm the mind and continue with soft, flowing
exercises while softening and deepening the mind and body into a wonderful communion with the present moment.
A Yogi may begin with devotional chant to the One with many names until, again, there is a softening and deepening effect
of pure, present moment consciousness and bliss, followed by some stretching and heat generating exercises. Afterward, perhaps
some breathing exercises to still the excited energy of the mind and body, leading to pure devotion and a deep connection
to that Universal Bliss.
A contemplative Christian will probably begin with some favorite Bible passages until joy, peace and devotion settles
the mind. This is followed by either silent contemplation of God or a Theravada Buddhist type of approach (with thoughts of
God), depending on the contemplative tradition.
I'm sure you've noticed some commonalities by now. We have stillness, softening and deepening, present moment consciousness,
self compassion, a connection to love, peace, bliss and serenity, a slowing and deepening of breath, a "go with the flow"
or "let go let God" type of experience, etc... Such experiences, when repeated in progressively softening and deepening manner, are a
vehicle to a universal experience that goes by many names and descriptions.
Some folks have troubles beginning to meditate. I usually recommend that you examine the anatomy of effective stress
reduction and meditation techniques and create a customized strategy which will make meditation a much easier process.
Monkey Wisdom Meditation and Yoga
Prescott, Arizona
(928) 273-4365
