We do not have control over all things in our lives. Yet, there is one aspect that we can be responsible for and this is our mental state. It is true that people can enhance their state of mind and make it better. Does meditation help with this? What is Meditation? Buddhist teachings state Meditation is the only genuine remedy for people’s sadness, fear, anxiety, hatred, and uncertainty. It transforms the human mind. Meditation practices of Buddhists are capable of achieving the following:
- Developing and promoting focus
- Creating clarity
- Facilitating emotional optimism
- Seeing the real nature of things peacefully
Yogis describe meditation as a clear-cut method of calming your minds and achieve that state of consciousness absolutely distinct from the ordinary condition of awakening. By meditating, a person experiences the core of consciousness. It refers to a science that adheres to a specific order with explicit principles and generates outcome that can be validated.
Mental Exercise
Meditation is more of a mental training to control one’s thoughts. The person who meditates concentrates on an internal or external single object or focuses on something predominant in his or her present experience. When you meditate, do not allow yourself to stick to a certain object. Meditation may be performed individually or in groups. You need to close your eyes and keep still during meditation although the “walking technique” is also possible.
A popular definition of meditate is to mull over or ponder about something profoundly. Yet, the practice is interpreted as focusing attention than reflecting intensely. In meditation, your mind should be cloudless, unperturbed, and focused. You are wide awake and attentive not on the external environment but things that happen around. The mind should be silent without distractions so the reflection grows deeper.
Need for Introspection
Aside from attention, meditation requires self-examination as well as mental serenity making it different from the typical spiritual exercises or personal development courses. There are practices which include a guided visualization with the goal of imprinting a certain message or idea on your mind. You relax to release tensions from the body. Prayer facilitates thinking and feeling directed towards the deity. Meanwhile, contemplation is present so the thought process is engaged actively to expand your understanding of a particular idea or subject.
Rising above the Mind
All these practices mentioned above are useful and effective but different from meditation. These are just elements of meditation. The primary objective of meditation is to transcend beyond the psyche and come into contact with essential nature. This nature is known as PEACE, CONTENTMENT, and HARMONY. Anybody who mediates on a regular basis is aware that one of the obstacles in this practice is the mind.
The mind is disorderly in nature. It resists attempts for self-discipline or guides it towards a specific course. This is one reason why many people who attempt to meditate experience instead daydreams or fantasies. They fail to discern the real experience of profound meditation. To avoid this, it is vital to follow the basics and enlist the help of knowledgeable mentors.