Inspiring people. Transforming lives.
WHAT
IS MEDITATION?
by
Roshani Shay, Ph.D.
Perhaps
this article should begin by considering what meditation
is NOT! For example, meditation is not concentration,
or spacing out, or something we DO. Concentration is an
activity of the mind. Meditation, rather, seeks to step
behind the mind, or drop out of the mind, or quiet the
mind. Spacing out is more about trance or lack of focus
or going unconscious than about meditation. And, in spite
of the fact that there are well over 100 different practices,
techniques, or methods of meditation, it is not an activity
that is “done.” Meditation is much more about
BEING than about DOING. It is about preparing our beings
for the state we call meditation to enter, or descend,
or arise.
Meditation is
mainly about three things: relaxation,
awareness and non-judgment. Physical relaxation is a key
part of meditation. That is why the practice is becoming
so widely supported by the medical profession. Over 60
medical schools offer courses in meditation. That is not
surprising, as the practice has been shown to reduce blood
pressure among the hypertensive, irregular heartbeats
in cardiac patients, muscle tension and hormonal stress
levels, as well as speed the clearing of psoriasis (a
skin condition). Slow and deep breathing from the belly
is helpful in inducing this powerful meditative relaxation.
Alert awareness is also an important feature of meditation,
a practice that encourages mindful attention or watching.
This watchful awareness is not a narrowing of focus, but
rather an expansion of consciousness to include everything
happening in the present moment. Finally, meditation is
not about judging yourself for not sitting correctly,
nor about judging particular thoughts or emotions that
arise as being good or bad. It is simply about giving
yourself permission to realize that you are more than
the judging mind.
A friend
of mine once said that meditation is a bit like chocolate.
You can describe what it is and isn’t like, but
until you taste it for yourself you cannot imagine how
delicious it is. I feel the same way about meditation!
