Going Beyond Thought

Meditation is not just a spiritual practice. 
It is all about setting the mind free.

Most people consider meditation a form of worship or prayer, in which one sits down with eyes closed and empties the mind to attain inner peace, relaxation or even an experience of God. But meditation does not belong to any culture or religion and is not a spiritual practice. Meditation is really about awareness. It describes a state of consciousness, in which the mind is free of scattered thoughts and patterns. Published scientific and medical evidence has proved its benefits, but it still needs to be much understood.

Earlier meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people. These days it is commonly understood to mean some form of spiritual practice, where one sits down with eyes closed and empties the mind to attain inner peace, relaxation or even an experience of God. 

One of the definitions of meditation is “self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now”. 

Abdu’l-Bahai, the son of Bahaiu’llahai, the founder of the Bahai faith, is quoted as saying: “Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries to your mind. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves.”

When you meditate, the key is not to ask the mind to think about a concept, but to go beyond thought.

Therefore Meditation is not concentration or contemplation. Neither is it hypnosis or autosuggestion, where there is an attempt to program, manipulate or control the content of the mind. When you meditate, you simply observe the mind and let it become quiet and calm, exploring and experiencing the deeper levels of your being.

There are several benefits of meditation : it lowers oxygen consumption, decreases the respiratory rate, increases blood flow and slows the heart rate. Meditation increases production of the “happy hormone” serotonin which influences mood and behaviour (low levels of serotonin are associated with depression, obesity, insomnia and headaches). Meditation also helps in faster post-operative healing by enhancing the immune system.

Most important, as far as brain functioning is concerned, it improves concentration and leads to deeper level of relaxation which enhance personal efficiency and performance.

There are several ways to start meditation. As a starting point, choose a time when you are not likely to be disturbed. Settle down in a place that has fresh air. You may sit in any comfortable posture (sukh-asana), taking care to keep your spine erect and straight and to stay in that pose.

Begin by learning to focus on something non-threatening, like a flower, a word, or the flame of a candle. Simply notice how your thoughts wander, without attempting to control them. Observe them with detachment. Practise this daily for a few weeks as a stepping stone to awareness. 

However, meditation can also be practised while walking or doing simple repetitive tasks. Walking meditation, for instance, helps to break down habitual automatic mental responses like being constantly distracted with recognizing and greeting people passing by. Just remember, whatever you do with awareness is meditation.

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Thought for the Week

“When Meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering‚ 
like the flame of a lamp in a windless place.”
Confucius
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First published in Gray Matter - The Hindustan Times