Meditation: Learn How And Why We Meditate In Less Than Ten Minutes
Posted on | April 24, 2009 | No Comments
History And Theory of Meditation
The practice of meditation is derived from the description of reality that mystics have imparted to their students for millennia. Eastern mystics explained it as one universal, omnipotent, omnipresent energy that permeates the universe. Everything in the universe makes up this energy.
Quantum physicists confirm the existence of this energy now, so it is not the stuff of weird, drug induced hippies anymore. But mystics go further and state that this energy is:
CONSCIOUS OF ITSELF
Since it is omnipresent, omnipotent and conscious, this energy is happy, peaceful, blissful and content.
I call this force GOD. You may have another name and that is okay.
So, the teacher would teach that this one energy also permeates them an is, therefore, THEIR true nature as well. Furthermore, the reason that the average person fails to experience this feeling of bliss and contentment is that:
The mind, or our perception or reality, gets in the way.
Meditation, and other such practices, were developed as exercises to still the mind; and, to move it aside so that the practitioner can experience reality directly and connect with this energy that permeates the fabric of the universe. If we are successful, the practitioner will experience bliss and contentment.
He will achieve nirvana
How The Brain Works (Or Fails To Work)
The practice of meditation is essentially an exercise in altering the brain wave patterns produced by the brain. The brain functions on four different wave patterns defined as: beta, alpha, delta and theta. Each function has its own feeling and state of mind. Click Here to learn more about each of these types of brain waves. However, the important point to remember is that we are in a Beta state. We want to be in an Alpha and/or Delta state. Meditation is the tool to get us there.
How Meditation Works
Simply speaking, to meditate, you focus on something, with the level of concentration that you would give to watching a theatre performance or reading a good book.
It ishould not feel like a chore, but you should not be easily distracted either.
Four common methods involve:
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Candle Meditation. This method involves staring at a lit candle while realxing and breathing rythmically. Each time your focus wanders from the candle (and it will – it is supposed to) you gently, and without judgment return your concentration to the candle.
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Breathing Meditation. This method involves focusing on the inhalation of your breath through your nose and the exhalation of your breath through your mouth. Again, if your concnetration wanders, gently return to the rhythm of your breath.
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Recitation of a Mantra. This method involves the same breathing as above but includes the recitation of a mantra such as “Olmmm” as you exhale. Your focus is to remain on your breathing and the sound of this word.
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Recitation Of A Prayer. This method involves the same breathing exercise, but instead of reciting a mantra, you recite a short prayer. Again, your concentration remains on the prayer.
When I used to use traditional meditation, I preferred candle meditation because the candle danced about and held my attention more easily. Again, my concentration would wander constantly. It is supposed to do so, especially during at the beginning. As you advance, when your mind wanders, it might be that you receive some valuable insight from your subconscious. In that case, recognize the extraneous thought, give it the appropriate attention, and return to the candle.
From a physiological standpoint, the act of focusing on the candle causes the electrical patterns in the brain to decelerate, but become more powerful. Your brain cannot handle this increased power. So, it creates new neural connections or new communication inside the brain.
The effect, both during and after the meditation, is that the practitioner experiences a “oneness” or “interconnectedness” of things rather than continuing to see things as being separate. This is because there is more and more communication between the two spheres of the brain.
During this process, the practitioner shifts from producing beta waves to more alpha waves.
This is what makes meditation a great stress buster and a healthy alternative to drugs and alcohol for relieving anxiety.
I would also argue that it is a better alternative to exercise as well because it creates permanent changes in the brain that allows the brain to permanently handle more and more stress.
Both sides of the brain work together (called “brain synchrony or brain synchronization”). The synapses begin to fire together in unison and the brain begins to balance. This is also what causes the practitioner to begin perceiving people and things in terms of how they are connected.
It also creates a sense of inner peace.
On a physiological level, different hormones and neurotransmitters are created in greater amounts and a few neurotransmitters, namely cortisol, long associated with stress (and weight gain) are decreased. That’s another reason why people become more peaceful when they meditate.
Problems With Traditional Meditation
The problem with traditional meditation is it takes many years to develop the skill of focusing the mind and getting to the point where really deep and substantial changes begin to happen.
Most people quit before they get to the point where they see a benefit.
We live in an “on-demand” society and no one wants to spend twenty years using traditional meditation in order to see measurable progress. But, you just can’t get great results with 20 minutes twice a day or an hour a day.
You will receive some health benefits, and have less stress; but, you will not see really substantial mental, emotional and spiritual changes that meditation is capable of providing unless you make the appropriate time and commitment.
Related posts:
- It’s All In Your Head: Brainwaves Demystified.
- Law Of Attraction: Meditation As A Tool For Manifesting Abundance (Part Five)
- Holosync Meditation Review: My Experience With Holosync
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