Meditation

To meditate may mean many different things to different persons.
Meditation may be approached in a myriad of ways. Sharpening and focusing the mind by using the breath forms the basis of yoga meditation. It is not difficult to start a meditation practice - just find a quiet and tranquil place to sit down. Reflect. Breathe.

Meditating at home, winter 2002, photographed by Naomi.

A clear, serene mind can lift itself above its surrounds
of reasoning and emotion, and perceive its own true self. A condition sometimes felt as entrapment in the physical environment that it inhabits is trancended. Hence the adage that true freedom and peace is inside, not somewhere on the outside, material world.

While physical yoga practice is a refuge for the body and mind, meditation provides a sacred space for the heart and mind. Meditation provides its practitioner a portal to inner world, reflection without the intellectual and personal limitations of day-to-day concerns. The meditative state and mindfull application of its insights is the true gift of yoga.

Meditation as a sacred space.

Body - Mind - Spirit

Read more about meditation from the Five Keys to Well-Being book.

Practicing meditation

Meditation can be practiced in any sitting posture.
The classic yoga posture for meditation is the lotus posture, with the folded legs.
Sitting upright in a chair is also fine, as long as the spine is straight, the breathing is free and the body is comfortable there can be no problem with the preferred position. Breathing practices are closely related to meditation. The reason for this focus is that breathing patterns and the quality of the breath has a profound influence on the state of mind - learning to harness and utilise this power is one of the chief aims of yoga.

Yoga breathing during meditation involves a variety of specialized techniques that can be selected for specific reasons. A slow breath will help the mind to slow down (short, sharp breathing agitates the mind), and just observing the breath provides the mind with something to do during meditation. It is never easy to 'think of nothing', and this contradictory state is never easy to achieve. Do not try to force the mind to become 'blank'. Try to focus on the breath, as if counting sheep, also try to focus the mind on observing itself and the body, without trying to 'think of nothing'. In time the mind will yield to this discipline. Guided meditation utilises the imagination and the power of the mind to influence the state of being. This is a very useful tool for the novice, and can be used by experts on occasion, but is not considered a pure form of meditation and should not replace traditional meditation.

An exercise in meditative awareness

See 'Nature is our great master and teacher' on my Musings page.