Meditation is the discovery of that point of silence within, like a compass needle that guides us in the right direction at the right time. To become silent, to be still in the ocean of hectic, noisy action, is a choice many people are now making. When this is achieved, this stillness acts on the mind like oxygen, giving the breath to both understand and enrich life. Of course, action is a necessity, an expression of ourselves through time, relationships and the roles we play. However, if we do not sometimes stop and take a breath of silence, then the mind begins to suffocate, thoughts speed like bullet trains and the brain feels as if it is in a pressure cooker. Emotions erupt and react like volcanoes, the eyes become dizzy with mountains of information and the head feels like a rollercoaster. This is stress. The mind needs to come up for air, to leave the jungle of pressures, deadlines and speed and slow down and find the point of silence within.
Meditation is the method to find the point that recharges the mind with peace, clarity and balance.
We can define meditation as the eight "R's."
It is helpful if these eight R's are read slowly, giving time to ponder and gently experience that still point of peace within the self.
For each of the R's there is a brief explanation and then a short exercise, which can be repeated if one wishes to.
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1. Returning
Meditation is the technique of returning to the original qualities of the self, namely peace, purity, love, bliss and wisdom. We can only do that by taking our thoughts inward.
<em>I begin to find my original strength by collecting the energy of my mind. With my concentrated thought, I focus on meeting my real self.</em>
2. Relaxing
In meditation, the mind disconnects itself from the thoughts of anything external and connects with the inner self. In this way, it is able to receive the positive current of the original strength of the self: a peaceful source of energy. However, at first it can be difficult to disconnect the many plugs of our everyday life: the plugs of attachment, speed, worry, being busy, etc. It does take some effort.
<em>As I connect to the "point source" of energy of the self, which is located in the center of the forehead, I start to relax, to remove the many tensions and demands of the outside world from the mind.</em>
3. Remembering
As the mind relaxes and gently concentrates on the "point source" of peace energy, the individual begins to remember their spiritual identity. The reason why people are so disorientated in their lives and why they often find life boring, tedious, or empty is because they have forgotten who they truly are.
<em>In silence, going inward, I begin to remember what I have forgotten: I am a spiritual being, a point source of positive energy. My spirit is my reality!</em>
4. Releasing
As we remember the forgotten reality of the self as a spiritual being and begin to experience our inner source of peace, we are released from the negativity of our mind: wasteful thinking and thoughts filled with doubt, fear and worry -- the three great dragons that dominate our mind constantly.
<em>As I begin to rule my own mind, I free myself from the worry that cripples my confidence, from the fear that hijacks my courage and the doubt, which ridicules every attempt I make to bring hope back into my life.</em>
5. Relearning
As we become free, we begin to respect ourselves and relearn what it means to value our selves, our lives and our existences in this great play of life. Forgotten truths appear and a new education of the self begins.
<em>I am able to understand eternity and spirituality and feelings of my true humanity emerge.</em>
6. Rediscovering
As we relearn, we rediscover our spiritual values and resources and, realizing they were always there, we resolve to use these silent intrinsic truths, which are the foundation of a better quality of life.
<em>I am a positive, purposeful being, who has something unique to offer to life.</em>
7. Restoring
As we begin to use these spiritual truths, our original strengths and qualities are restored. There is a transition in consciousness enabling confidence and self-esteem to become a natural way of being.
<em>I value myself as a being of peace and love and know that I have within me all the qualities I need to overcome all the challenges of life.</em>
8. Recharging
The leap of consciousness that occurs when we connect with our inner spiritual self is a powerful way of recharging the energies of the human mind. It is filled with a deep tranquility that flows into our thoughts and is then reflected in our words and actions. A world of new vision opens where there is self-mastery and acceptance of life as it is.
<em>I have the inner strength to let go of judgements, dissatisfaction, impatience and replace negative energies with a more positive outlook. I am at peace with myself.</em>
Meditation is the discovery of that point of silence within, like a compass needle that guides us in the right direction at the right time. To become silent, to be still in the ocean of hectic, noisy ...
Meditation is the discovery of that point of silence within, like a compass needle that guides us in the right direction at the right time. To become silent, to be still in the ocean of hectic, noisy ...
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The teachings of all the world's great wisdom traditions remind us that we have both an ordinary and a extraordinary identity, a personal and a universal nature.
Meditation is simple and transformative, yet it is highly misunderstood. Some people think it is about controlling our mind or stopping our thinking, while others see it as both weird and wacky or boring and meaningless.
Thank you for your insights on meditation. I found your video quite relaxing.
I certainly agree the achieving some measure of stillness can help us understand and enrich our lives. This is why I have dedicated my life to teaching people about mindfulness meditation.
Interestingly, the practice is easy to learn, and meditators are able to see immediate results. I wish more people would take up the practice. If they only realized what they were missing…
Hello Charles...thanks for commenting.I think when people do start experimentng with meditation ,and as you say, they will see and value the benfits.
All the very best
Anthony
anthony_strano: Hello Charles...thanks for commenting.I think when people do start experimentng
Thanks.
No particular flavor necessarily but it refreshes like no other.
Thank you for your insights on meditation. I found your video quite relaxing.
I certainly agree the achieving some measure of stillness can help us understand and enrich our lives. This is why I have dedicated my life to teaching people about mindfulness meditation.
Interestingly, the practice is easy to learn, and meditators are able to see immediate results. I wish more people would take up the practice. If they only realized what they were missing…
Thanks again.
Charles A. Francis
The Mindfulness Meditation Institute
http://www.MindfulnessMeditationInstitute.org
All the very best
Anthony