Meditation
Through meditation we can bring about greater peace of mind and powers of concentration. The length of time we meditate is not as important as the focus we give during our meditation. If we can meditate with a silent mind for just 5 minutes, we can bring to the fore our own divine qualities of inner peace and inner happiness.
The following suggestions will help a beginner to make real progress in his meditation.
1. Quieten The Mind
The Goal of meditation is to go beyond the mind. Meditation cannot be done by thinking. All the different paths of meditation share this common feature of cultivating a silent mind. When our mind is silent we can start to enter a new consciousness, a consciousness not limited by the intellectual mind.
2. Concentration
In whatever we do,we will be more successful if we can concentrate fully on the task in hand. This means being single pointed; when we meditate we need to switch off from everything else and put all our attention onto the meditation.
3. Place to Meditate
It is very helpful to find a quiet place to meditate every day. I have a small corner of my room specially set aside for meditation. You can use a picture of a saint or Teacher who inspires you, or just use flowers and a candle. If you meditate in the same place every day it builds up a meditative atmosphere.
4. Aspiration
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If we are hungry, then we eat. If we aspire for inner peace, then we will meditate. This aspiration or inner cry is perhaps more important than learning many techniques of meditation.
5. Perseverance and Patience
In the beginning we cannot expect results overnight, each time we meditate we are adding to our capacity’s; even if we don’t have great experiences then we need to persevere. If we practise sincerely, we will progress.
6. Use the Qualities of the Spiritual Heart
The heart is the location of the soul. If we focus on the heart, immediately our thoughts have less power. By concentrating on our heart we can enter into the vastness of meditation.
7. Cultivate Happiness
It is important to bear in mind the goal of meditation is to uplift our consciousness and have a more positive outlook about life and about ourselves. When we meditate well we will have a positive outlook on life.
“True inner joy is self – created.
It does not depend on outer circumstances.
A river is flowing in and through you carrying the message of joy.
This divine joy is the sole purpose of life.”
Article by: Tejvan Pettinger
Tejvan is a member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre in Oxford, UK where he gives meditation classes.
Photo Credit by Phoolanjaya