two approaches to meditation
There are two approaches to meditation: one with a focus, one without.
Meditating with a focus is much easier. If you thought your mind was too busy to meditate, wait until you start, it’s even busier, and sneaky as it analyses itself, talking about your meditating. It is your mind’s undisciplined nature to grab onto thoughts and sensory information and run away with your attention. So give it one thing to grab onto, something positive and meaningful: a word, an image, a sound, and keep it there.
Japa is a wonderful technique, it is the repetition of a word or phrase. The three most common are:
- Om – the sound of Creation, the original sound that contains all sounds
- Sat Nam – ‘Truth is my identity’
- So Hum – ‘I am That’
- or any phrase that is particularly meaningful to you, suitable to your belief system
Once you have chosen your focus, stick to it. It becomes a haven for your restless mind. The initial battle is too keep bringing your awareness back to your focus, letting all other thoughts fade into nothingness.
Meditating without a focus is pure mindfulness. Being aware of passing thoughts, sensory information, concepts, but not being absorbed in them. Watching the mind’s activity as a silent witness, one develops a sense of self that is detached from the mind, that is calm and peaceful.
Both techniques require dedication and stamina. It is difficult to meditate, but the rewards are out of this world: less prone to worry, a sharper mind, clarity, peacefulness, creativity and a deep connection to Everything and Nothing, Something beyond words.
