Meditation:
Meditation covers a lot of ground. One may know that there are many ways to meditate and that there are many kinds of meditation. However, it is interesting to know that that only a few sorts are widely practiced. There are reasons for that. Most of us appreciate simplicity and effectiveness and so we choose a practice which we find effective and simple. Over time one may become grateful for the other ways and varieties of form from which he or she may choose. This introduction is from my point of view of the day and contains hints of what is beyond the intro.
This essay is written from my present point of view. Here I intend to mention what a meditation is, how some practitioners do it, and why the do it. I'll also say a bit about me and meditation. I will put more emphasis on how you may begin your practice now.
Meditation is a practice. For some it is a life-long practice. For more than a few it has been a way to keep their mentation more usefully organized and tranquil. For others it is both fun and powerfully organizing. For many it is a practice which evolves over time and the goals of which change over time. Some say it is sitting.
My aim is to make this essay simple and explanatory without boring you.
Meditation and Me:
Meditation as I know it is mostly do in one's self by one's self. However, group meditations are popular and useful. There are even guided practices. It is often a matter of focused observation. A simple yet important aim can be keeping one's mind on a chosen object, subject, doing, happening feeling, thought, word, activity, and like that. So, it is often a practice of mental focus. My practice has often been to focus on a word or a short phrase for a period of time that I select. My practice is continued in a relaxed way for that period of time. That's it.
I have learned that which I understand of meditation through the experience of practice and by reading the works of Vitvan and Leshawn. I also learn important attitudes and more by meditating in a variety of groups. Words and language have been an important part of my practice. I found that meditation on a word extended, broadened, and deepened my familiarity with and understanding of its meaning and the reality it pointed to. I found that some words pointed more clearly than did others.
For me practice often begins by being seated upright in a comfortable chair and closing my eyes. Neither the chair, the sitting, nor the eye closing is necessary, but it's my practice. I like using a timer, but that isn't necessary either. I set the timer to tell me when the time I have chosen to meditate has concluded. I hope to say something about other activities I have chosen related meditating in future essays. Check essays on meditation on this blogsite that have already been published here. I intend to publish more this year.
Sitting in a meditation group has been good for me, but I have often been pleased to meditate alone. I like a calm, quiet place and a comfortable chair, but not a chair not so comfortable that sleep would tempt me. For me, meditating is an awake, active, alert, observing process. It is so even when I stretch out on the grass or floor to meditate.
Without a timer I have found myself meditating far beyond my allotted time. At another time I have opened eyes ready to go on to other things only to find that I had meditated only five minutes of my allotted forty-five minutes! Some experience meditators would say that these happenings do not matter, that five minutes is just right for one time and 2 hours just right for another time. However, for me, right now, practicing my time discipline is important to me.
More of me. In my practice I may decide that I shall focus on my breath and that I shall count my breaths. Even so, I may use words to help me with that focus. To begin I might count rounds of four for a time. Counting seems a use of words. An inhalation and an exhalation may represent one complete breath and four such breaths complete a round. I might think the word 'in' as I inhale and the word "out" as I exhale. An in and an out would count as one breath in my rounds of four. As I counted this practice I might add attending to the differences
Form me meditation practice is and ought to be attention and and attentiveness and very often it is just that. One is paying attending to ones self, one might say to your inner self. Your principle attitude is one of attentiveness. I found this to be part of an important learning experience. In each practice I often
focus a limited defined "topic." That topic has often been a word or short phrase or even a very short sentence, which I determine before I begin the practice.
Meditation Generalities:
A teacher can help one to sort out these these ways, means, purposes, and attitudes of meditation. I am not that teacher, but I do try to answer questions posted in "comments." I do have some knowledge of the practice. Finding a good instructor, teacher, guru, or coach can be useful for developing your practice. If you find the teaching less than congenial leave it. Remember your practice is yours. Later if you feel you have made a mistake, you can beg to come back or seek similar instruction. You are the boss of your practice and you have that responsibility.
I have mentioned that meditation can be of great variety. Here is a small hint of that great variety. Body position can be a part of that variety. Body positions and movements can represent a bit of that variety. Ways and variations of walking, sitting, and lying down add to that variety. There are solo meditations, group meditations to add to that variety. There are yoga movement and postures that are included. There are also a variety of purposes for meditation which call for a variety of practices.
Preparing to Meditate:
There are many ways to prepare. Most might have to do with personal preferences. For example, I feel better when I have a timer or alarm I can set.
Just sitting in awareness or mindfulness can be good preparation. It is also meditation! Starting to meditate is the most important act to begin meditating. Just sitting quietly can be a real start.
Good preparation for some is trying to find a qualified meditation coach. A qualified coach is one who keeps up to date with what you are doing and how you are doing: one who know the the state of your practice today. Otherwise you might just as well get a video, read a book about meditation. Getting a guide for your meditation is not the same as being taught about meditation. Your experience in your practice is important.
Your Meditation:
You are the one responsible for your meditation practice and the only one in the world who can do it. You can keep in mind that there are may ways to learn and many ways to practice. Your learning and your practice is in you.
Determining a time and a place for your first meditation could be useful preparation for that meditation. You might consider what you will want once you get there. When you do get there you can check to see that there is enough there to allow you to practice. Then you can make ready to observe and pay attention to my doings and happenings. Not difficult tasks. Should you forget what you are doing you are likely able to remind yourself to get back to it.
You can meditate right now if you want to. You can use this little to help you if you wish: Take a few full breaths, no need to force them. Now continue to be aware of your breath and begin to breathe more naturally. As you continue to be aware of your breath, repeat "good posture, no pain" slowly and calmly. Breathe normally or slightly more deeply if it feels right to do so. Aim to breathe smoothly, regularly, rhythmically or to let yourself to do so. when you find yourself not repeating the phrases, remind yourself to do so. When you find yourself not breathing correctly remind yourself to do so. Continue you until you have completed the time you have allotted to the session. Five or ten minutes may be plenty for this session. It's meditation.
If above seems a bit much. Just give yourself ten minutes to sit quietly for ten minutes. That can be your good meditation for this day or longer.
You are meditating. You are a meditator. You have a practice.
Congratulations! You have learned a lot about meditation and you have actually meditated! When you consider it, you may have learned something about your self too.
RCS