What is Meditation ?

 Advertisement

In its simplest form, meditation is nothing more than allowing the mind to be lulled by a simple repetitive sensation-waves lapping on the beach, the tinkling of a fountain, repeating a word or sound over and over again, even something as mundane as the sound of machinery.

Any of these, and countless others, can be used as something onto which the mind focuses so strongly that problems and anxieties are crowded out. In its more refined, mystical guise, it is a means to total self-fulfilment, being completely at one with the universe.

Meditation is neither a time-consuming process (twenty minutes a day are all that is needed), nor is it, as many suspect, a form of self-hypnosis. Practised properly, it is a life-enhancing voyage during which preconceived opinions and ideas fade, the senses and the intellect are refined, and the ability to concentrate is increased.

Its benefits quickly become apparent, and those who practise it often say that the day they first took to meditation on a regular basis was a watershed in their lives.

Meditation and contemplation

Confusion sometimes arises when the words 'meditation' and 'contemplation' are used interchangeably. A working distinction between the two is that meditation can be considered a preparatory step and contributory to the achievement of contemplation.

Meditation involves concentration, narrowing the focus of attention to a single theme, catechism or doctrine while remaining cognitive and intellectual. Contemplation is a direct intuitive seeing, using spiritual facilities that are beyond discursive thought. In the words of Richard of Saint-Victor, a 12th-cen-tury theologian, 'Meditation investigates, contemplation wonders.'

The need for a teacher

No one in their right mind would sit down at a piano and expect to play a Chopin nocturne if they had never played before. So why should someone who is about to meditate for the first time expect to sit down and expect to lose themselves in meditation right away? Like all things worth doing, the best way to learn meditation is to study with someone who has already mastered it. If we are to compare the mind with a piano in order to create beautiful music, we need to study with an expert who is familiar with the instrument and who can help us gain a mastery over it.

A good teacher must be qualified, compassionate, expert, patient, sincere and sympathetic, someone in whom the pupil may have complete confidence-but where to find such a paragon? Some novices are lucky and find the right 'guru' straightaway. Others may take months, even years before they meet the one that is right for them. Those who fall into the latter category should not be disheartened: they should carry on practising basic meditation techniques, trying different teachers and following their own judgement until, eventually, they find someone who can help them to get the most out of meditation.

Some people, unable to find a suitable teacher, turn to one or other of the many audio tapes on the market aimed at the increasing numbers of people who are turning to meditation either for health or spiritual reasons. Before committing yourself to the expense of buying one, enquire at your local library to find out if it has an audio section. If there is such a tape on its shelves, borrow it for a few days to find out if it helps you.

Keeping a level head

Where you meditate and when you meditate is up to you, but a word of advice-don't be tempted to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude among friends and colleagues. They may, after some weeks or months, realize that you appear to be calmer and more relaxed and that you have subtly changed in some way or other that they cannot put their finger on. They may ask you what has brought about the change. Then by all means tell them that you have taken up meditating but broadcasting your experiences can defeat the object of the exercise!

Caveat!

Meditation is not suitable for everyone. Anyone who is suffering from clinical depression or any mild form of mental illness should first consult their doctor.

It should never be used as a substitute for medical treatment, and anyone on any form of medication, should likewise consult their doctor.

Meditation creates an altered state of consciousness. Newcomers have no way of knowing how they will respond to it, so it is best to limit the first few sessions to ten minutes at most. Finally, meditation should not be seen as a panacea. It should be seen as a means to an end, not as the end in itself.

Crossing the bridge

In his book Complete Meditation, American guru Steve Kravette wrote, 'By practising meditation and being completely who you are, you will become more than you are now. You will be able to cross the next evolutionary bridge and begin to develop the full potential of your creaturehood.' Meditation is a journey, enjoy it.