Many think that meditation is just sitting still thinking about nothing while the reality is far from that. Meditation requires ultimate focus and relaxation with will power. At first, meditation is very difficult, as our minds have been trained to feed on thoughts; it makes it hard to focus on this moment. In meditation, we train our mind to focus on the third eye, we use chants to uplift our vibration, prayer to invoke intention and call in the divine, scanning and relaxing the body to release pain while sitting, and breathwork facilitating the stillness of the mind. This enhances the awareness which intensifies the focus to a laser-like precision. Thereafter, our perception of ourselves and the world around us evolves and expands. Our realization that we are not our thoughts and feelings becomes unescapable as the truth of awareness sinks in. We start to understand we aren’t just bodies but something much more. We are one with all that exists, all the time.
The Challenge of Stillness
The initial step towards meditation can be daunting. In a world where our minds are conditioned to constant stimulation and activity, the endeavor to still the mind and focus our thoughts is a formidable challenge. This difficulty stems from our mental habits, which are deeply ingrained through years of unceasing thought processes and the perpetual engagement with external stimuli. We’ve been trained to think we are our bodies, minds, and emotions and our ego has identified with those things. The task of quieting this mental chatter and achieving a state of focused calm can appear insurmountable at first glance. Worry not as this too shall pass. With practice, like many other things, it will become easier and ultimately filled with joy and calmness. The more you meditate, the more you will want to meditate. Once you taste the sweetness of its nectar it calls you back to fill your existence with love and joy at any moment. We have access to an infinite state of bliss within ourselves, all we must do is learn to access it.
A Calm State of Focus
Meditation is not about achieving a state of thoughtlessness. Instead, it is an active process that involves the cultivation of ultimate focus and relaxation propelled by willpower and intent. We must be determined to change ourselves and our minds in order to delve deeper inside. Meditation encompasses a variety of techniques, each designed to guide the mind toward a point of concentration. Whether through focusing on breath, repeating mantras, or engaging in mindful movements, these practices serve to anchor the mind, allowing it to settle and achieve a state of tranquil awareness. In this state, we increase our focus and awareness surrendering control allowing the sacred vibrations to guide us to our true selves. Inside, we find peace, love, joy, calmness, bliss, light, sound, and the eternal power of this universe.
Training the Mind
The essence of meditation lies in its ability to train the mind to focus with laser-like precision while relaxing the body. This training is not merely about narrowing our attention but about expanding our awareness to encompass a more profound understanding of our inner selves and the world around us. Through consistent practice, meditation strengthens the mind’s ability to maintain focus, not just during the practice itself but in everyday life, enhancing our ability to concentrate, reduce stress, and approach challenges with a calm and centered disposition. We may carry that calmness with us wherever we go sharing it with those around us through our vibration. As you meditate, the mind starts to reinforce new neuropathways helping re-wire the brain healing our thought patterns.
The Evolution of Perception
As our meditation practice deepens, so too does our perception of ourselves and the world around us. This expanded awareness brings about a profound realization: we are not our thoughts or feelings. This insight is transformative, allowing us to observe our thoughts and emotions without attachment. Understanding them as transient aspects of our experience rather than defining elements of our identity. This shift in perspective fosters a sense of inner peace and calmness, enabling us to navigate the difficulties of life with grace and resilience. We may carry that calmness with us in the most chaotic of situations facilitating our interactions with those moments.
It’s important to know that this detachment doesn’t hinder our enjoyment but enhances it. Allowing us to fully comprehend and experience the present moment which before was hindered by our minds. We experience the truth of our reality, the love in each moment which fills us with ever present, ever changing bliss.
The Path to Self-Realization
The journey of meditation is one of continual growth and self-realization. As we become more adept at observing our thoughts without judgment, we cultivate a deeper sense of mindfulness and presence. We start to reinforce new brain patterns that strengthen our focus on love and joy rather than fear and hate. Anger is reduced as we are able to observe the feeling and allow it to pass rather than overcome us. This heightened state of awareness allows us to live more fully in the present moment. We are able to appreciate the richness of our experiences without being overshadowed by past regrets or future anxieties. The overwhelming amount of information in this present moment becomes attainable through its acceptance. We let go of resistance in trying to control the world and understand how we see the world and interact with each moment is all we can truly control.
Embracing the Power of Meditation
The power of meditation lies in its ability to transform our relationship with our minds, leading us to a place of greater clarity, focus, and peace. By dedicating ourselves to this practice, we embark on a journey of self-discovery that reveals the boundless potential of the human spirit. As we continue to explore the depths of our consciousness through meditation, we unlock new dimensions of awareness, enabling us to live more harmoniously within ourselves and with the world around us. In embracing the discipline and challenges of meditation, we open the door to a life of mindfulness, where every moment is an opportunity for growth, understanding, and profound peace.
After learning many different ways of meditation, the Hong Sa technique and the path of Kriya Yoga through Ananda Village truly resonated with me. It’s techniques to facilitate the relaxation of the body and the concentration of the mind. The details that create such major progress in the practice. How each individual in the practice treats each other with love and respect guiding one another further down our paths. The Hong Sa technique is simple and powerful. You can find out more by going to Ananda.org and also watch our latest podcast episode out on 3/1/2024 with Krishna Chandra Das about The Power of Meditation. At the end, we do a short meditation practice you can follow along in order to get a taste of the sweet nectar.
May your meditation practice bring you closer to the vibration of this universe. Namaste
