Had a chat with a friend about meditating. How do you do it? What works for you? What are your results? Etc. We discussed details and techniques, but I omitted the most important part from our conversation… it’s purpose.
I think we both had an understanding of what it is and why to do it. But sometimes repetition as well as clarity are key to making a point. So, as an afterthought I make it here:
The purpose of meditating is to learn to become comfortable in that state in order to go there often and eventually reside there. That’s it, you could stop reading here.
I believe having a “meditation practice” is important in order to practice. While meditating one quiets the mind-chatter and opens up to hear Body and Soul and Universe. These are subtle energies that are drowned out by the loudness of daily life. We need specific, separate time to leave that energy and reconnect with these core energies. It’s about turning off outside things to evaluate our inner / personal things.
The fast pace of modern life does not allow much inner connection or subtle energy awareness. When we get so far away from this connection we begin to “lose it” or “go crazy”. We are disconnected from our core and become subject to the whims of the energies around us. And who knows where those could take us. This disconnection takes us away from what grounds and centers us, which would induce a healthy self-esteem, clarity of mind, patience, understanding, openness and awareness. Instead we get short-tempered, stubborn, narrow-minded, aggressive, defensive, angry, and desperate for acceptance and love.
A truly happy state is when we are connected all the time. Connected in unity Body, Soul and Universe. We can be. It would be remaining in a meditative state all the time. This state is unfamiliar to most of us and we are befuddled to understand what is means to mediate, how to do it, etc.
The point of having a “meditation practice” is to: 1- Learn the what’s & how’s. 2- Become comfortable in this state (that’s the big key! and the point.) 3- Be able to go to this state at any time and remain there, especially under stress and / or trauma.
Once this is understood and fully incorporated into your emotional-maintenance-toolbox, you have it all the time. You can use it when something does not go the way you had planned or even when someone is not being so kind to you. From a meditative state you are able to respond, instead of react. Your thinking will be slower because your heart-rate will be slower. You can interact with that other person without returning insults, threats, anger or general sad, negative energy. You can remain neutral and calm to find solutions, and to give love to that other person who clearly is in need of love, security and grounding.
After plenty of practice mediating in your quiet, sacred space you need to take these skills with you into your daily life and begin utilizing them. Eventually you will achieve a new comfort residing in a meditative state and ability to go there any time; you won’t need music, mantra, crystals, mala-beads, candles or incense in order to help you mediate. Because you’ve practiced enough to gain this experience on how to do it, and comfort level with this different body-feeling / mind-state, you won’t need your physical tools – you have it inside you. Outside things can still enhance a practice, or help if you are focusing on something specific, but not necessary to get you there.
I believe that is it’s purpose. We are meant to live our lives. Hiding away is needed from time to time, but come back to real life when you’re ready. We are meant to improve ourselves day by day, and in-turn better the world around us. Meditation is to aid us in remaining calm, clear and centered. To interact with others with love, and move forward in our own lives with a zen-type flow adapting as needed but continuing forward in peace and harmony.
May we all learn to become comfortable in a meditative state of stillness, openness and love.
Bliss and Abundance!!!
Hope Grace Roe 🙂
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