To many people, meditation has been an illusive concept, smacked with mysticism and misunderstood cultural impressions.
The truth of the matter is that meditation is possibly the oldest mannerism used by human kind. I use the word ‘mannerism,’ because I believe that meditation is something that humans do naturally.
Early in history, and perhaps in pre-history (as told by record keepers and story tellers), ‘spirits being human,’ used what we call meditation as a normal way of reflection or contemplation. It was their natural state of being. They were more in meditation during their waking hours that not.
As time went on, and society grew and expanded, life became more intricate and involved. The physical attentions became more demanding.
Eventually, meditation slipped from view.
Many thousands of years later, humans began to pick up the notion of meditation again. It was not new, just renewed. It fell to the more highly aware beings. Since they were the ones who were not concerned about the physical or material world, they were able to open their beings to the concept of contemplation. Exploring the spirit-mind of their being became the main purpose of their lives.
Slowly, the world of meditation opened to all who were in the place of understanding. Now, of course, it has evolved into many different venues: Tibetans, Buddhists, East Indian Yoga and Ayurvedic Practices, Creative Visualization, Vision Quests. Meditation and prayer are words that have been used interchangeably for many years. Even though there is a major difference between the two words, it helps many people feel comfortable with the concept of meditation if used within the context of religion.
Many meditation teachers have instructed their students, and written books explaining meditation ‘this way’ or ‘that way.’ They argue that meditation is strictly one way, and does not include many ideas that I will share with you.
However, I feel it is time for meditation---or some form of relaxation, stress release and contemplation---to be available to everyone. The only way it can be widely available is to open the concept, and allow it to expand.
I know that meditation is the answer to many of our social and personal problems today. If I can help everyone reach a state of relaxation and reflection, then we all can work through our problems easier. There is where peace begins.
There is a story of a young Buddhist adept monk. He was very good at emptying his mind. While sitting under an orange tree one day, blossoms started to fall all around him.
The gods said to him: “We are blessing you because of your words about emptiness.”
“But I didn’t speak,” he said.
They continued to shower him with orange blossoms and said, “You did not speak, and we did not hear. That is true emptiness.”
However we interpret meditation; however we feel comfortable with the concept of it; however we decide to use it in our lives, one thing is certain: Meditation is a simplistic tool used by humans. If it becomes too complex and confusing, then it is not in its perfect form.
I intend to present to you the perfect form of meditation. To me the only perfect form would be one that is used. However you use it in your life, is perfect. There is only an ease in meditation. Only an ease…