meditation

I often say:
“Where your attention flows, your consciousness grows.”

Meditation

Meditation – the state of

Meditation is the name given to a state of being when the current consciousness of an individual moves from its habitual place of being to a more expanded state of being. We find ourselves naturally in states of meditation when we are in awe-inspiring situations such as natural wonders we experience in nature, the birth of a child, creative expansion in art, music, dance, etc., where our attention is naturally absorbed in being-ness and we get “blown away” into an expanded state of awareness, relaxation, peace, love and connection with one-ness.

There are power spots or places in the world, but also simply in going into the woods or being by the sea, where the veil between worlds can be experienced as thinner. We can sense our consciousness relax and expand in ways where we are not always aware of what is happening, or how or why, in such environments.

With regular practice of meditation techniques we can expand our habitual state of consciousness to reside in a larger expanse of consciousness. From there we can tap into the next edge of consciousness available to us, and so forth. The state of meditation, or the ability to tap into the greater consciousness in all, becomes more and more available as the practitioner progresses in their practice.

Relaxation is a fundament to meditation.

Developing focus and attention on the object of meditation is a stepping stone to entering states of meditation through practices.

Posture also plays a significant role in practice.

Meditation – through transmission

An experienced teacher or a yoga master / guru can also give the practitioner an expanded state of being, a meditative state, through transmission. This is rare.

It is also possible to experience oneself being drawn into expansion through another person’s expansion. However, integrating that experience can be challenging when returning to one's own habitual consciousness state if the gap between the two is great. The gradual process of building one's conscious capacity expansion through regular sadhana, daily practice, is by far recommended as an organic and healthy process of expanding your consciousness.

Meditation – the practice of

We say we are meditating when we are utilising tools, practices or methods for meditation. These tools and techniques are proven methods that, with regular practice, take the practitioner into the art of meditation. Each technique has particular expressions or outcomes that are cultivated by the practitioner who regularly uses the technique.

Therefore, if a certain state of change in consciousness or in energy is required for the practitioner, then based on the knowing of what a technique cultivates, a suitable practice can be given by an experienced teacher in the technique.

Some techniques require prerequisites of practice or preparation from the practitioner.
Some techniques are safe and easy for any beginner to take on.

There are many tools, techniques and types of meditation practice.

Examples

• Breath meditation

• Candle gazing meditation

• Walking meditation

• Hatha yoga movement meditations

• Mantra meditations

• Yantra meditations

• Zen meditation

• Vipassana meditation

• Chakra meditation

• Mudra meditations

• Crystal meditations

• Visualisation meditations

• Sound meditations

…and so on.

With regular ongoing practice the meditation activity becomes a place of rest, relaxation, peace, inspiration, energy, motivation, purpose, meaning, creativity, conversation with spirit, intuition, clarity, healing and many more wondrous and useful things.

But at first it is a very physical experience. True at least for sitting meditation which utilises stillness, and sometimes silence and solitude. We must first master our wayward energies to get comfortable with sitting still and being at ease for at least 15 minutes in a seated posture.

In YM we define

Meditation – the divine abode – mind and heart movement patterns with specific energetic resonance for spiritual evolution.

See also:

YM Meditations

YM Method

More on Meditation Q&A

Beginners Free Meditation Course - Simply Sitting, click image to access. 

Meditation – other definitions (Merriam-Webster)

meditation noun
med·i·ta·tion | \ ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən \

Definition of meditation

1. a discourse intended to express its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation

2. the act or process of meditating

meditate verb
med·i·tate | \ ˈme-də-ˌtāt \
meditated; meditating

Definition of meditate

1. to engage in contemplation or reflection

2. to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness