What Is Meditation?
The state of meditation is consciousness being aware of its self. You recognize that you are not the one thinking, or that you are not the thoughts, rather you are that which is aware of thoughts and sensations.
Meditation is the process of Consciousness becoming conscious of its self.
· As the sun alone illuminates all this universe, so does the living being in the body, illuminate the entire body by consciousness. BG 13.34
· Consciousness is the life energy of the living being.
· Life is consciousness.
· There is your life and the circumstances of your life.
· In meditation you forget about your life circumstances, and for a period of time you focus on your life energy.
· The circumstances of your life change with time, however, your life is timeless.
· Your life circumstances are a collection of thoughts about the past and future. Your life is the constant unchanging presence of consciousness.
· The present moment is a door that opens to the awareness of life.
· The circumstances of your life may be full of tribulations, but check to see if you have any difficulty in this moment. Ask yourself, “what is here now?” Two seconds ago is now nothing more than a thought about the past and two second from now is a thought about the future.
· You are present when you are aware of your life as opposed to the circumstances of your life. Life is substantial. Thoughts about your life are ephemeral. (adapted from Eckhart Tolle)
· How to meditate?
· Practice 4-4-4-4 breathing for 5 rounds. Then return to normal breathing and notice the life energy field that extends throughout your body. Maintain the awareness of “I am” the knower, the life energy, or consciousness that pervades the physical body. Being aware of your life energy field, will help keep your attention anchored in the now moment. Begin repeating the mantra with this awareness.
· As you meditate be present with your sense of aliveness in the physical body and with the sound of the mantra.
· Continue meditating with this awareness of your aliveness in the body, and stay present as the knower of the sound of the mantra for predetermined period of time.
· As consciousness becomes conscious of itself a natural joy arises.
· 3-mantra technique: Try to keep your attention focused for 3 mantras. When you notice that your attention has drifted into thoughts of the past or future or your life circumstances, gently return your focus to the knower of the “feeling” of the energy that is pervading your entire body and of the sound of the mantra. Repeat the process.
· Note: The purpose of the mind is to think. Thinking is natural. Don’t expect the mind not to think. Each time you recognize thinking is happening, your higher awareness is being activated and you recognize you are not the one thinking.
