Meditation ...the traditions ...and first steps

MEDITATION

The origins of the word meditation are in the Latin 'meditari' which means to think or consider. Med is the root of the word and this means to take appropriate measure. So, in more contemporary terms, meditation is no more than contemplation. The act of meditation surely dates back to the dawn of human existence. Many cultures have a tradition that refers to shaman, or shaman like, practices that pre-date (and are the forerunners of) more recent ...more structured ...religious and spiritual belief systems, and at the heart of all shaman ritual is the ability to meditate ...to ascend to 'another' place in order to achieve answers or address problems.

Thousands of years ago a notable Indian Sage, Patanjali, detailed the process necessary to realise a capacity to meditate. His is the first documented use of the term 'Self Realisation', which describes an absolute awareness of self as experienced during the state of meditation. This 'process' to enabled Self Realisation became a closely guarded secret ...only to be handed down from shaman (Guru) to disciple, after much penances and purification.

The modern tradition of meditation has its roots in the fourteenth century, in India. It was

then that the secret texts of the Sanskrit were first translated into a form accessible to the masses. This is why most will associate the origins of meditation with that sub continent. However, meditative techniques have come to the West from various Asian cultures other than India, including China and Japan, and similar techniques are to be found in many non Asian cultures. It has long been

recognised, in these countries, that meditation has many benefits for personal health regardless of its primary association with religious concerns. For many meditation has been accepted into mainstream contemporary culture as a legitimate technique for relaxing the body and calming the mind.

As recently as during the nineteen seventies it was considered, in the West, that meditation was an induced catatonic, dissociative trance like state of mind, and therefore, not suitable or appropriate for healthcare applications. The first articles to challenge this viewpoint appeared, at that time, in the 'Journal of Transpersonal Psychology', and, eventually, meditation became the first 'mind-body' intervention technique to be widely accepted and adopted in conventional health care, being widely taught at many institutions where it is recognised and prescribed as a technique for relaxing the body and calming mind. Meditation has effectively lead the way for the many alternative practices, under the broad 'church' that is Complimentary Therapy, to be readily promoted in todays mainstream healthcare services.

First steps in Meditation.

Endeavouring to find or access the 'true self' through meditation is not it in any way alien to the largely

pragmatic philosophical and spiritual tendencies of the West. It would seem that western culture has, for the most part, been preoccupied with directing its efforts outwards in various attempts to control and exploit the resources of the physical world, but there have always been more inwardly looking philosophers, thinkers and mystics who have applied themselves to an alternate purpose other than materialistic concerns. In effect, the seemingly incompatible ideals and experiences of life in an 'advanced' technological society can comfortably

be accommodated within those of a 'simpler', more introspective time and place.

Increasingly people in this consumption fuelled society are realising that lost within the pace of daily life are the opportunities to reflect on those things that really matter. Arguably, if more took a moments 'time out' for contemplation, the 'ills' of society could be tackled more efficiently ...maybe those ills would not have become as prevalent as they now are anyway(?)

The problem for some who may well suspect that there are personal (and broader) benefits to be gained

from meditation; but are yet to 'grab the bull by the horns', is that, the 'mystical' connotations, so far removed from the average persons day to day experiences, that are associated with the practice, leads them to believe it may well be beyond their abilities. Not so. Everybody is 'suffering' from the same human condition as everyone else ...it stands to reason then, that we all potentially have the same capacities and abilities. The reality of meditation, in its simplest terms, is that if you have ever found yourself lost in a daydream ...engrossed in an activity to the point where time has no meaning ...perhaps, seen something afresh ...as you've never seen it before ...well, if so (and who hasn't?) meditation is readily and easily achievable for you.

For the process of meditation to be of maximum benefit, a certain level of 'control' is desirable. When involved in any activity that requires an element of concentration, we are directing our thoughts towards what we perceive as an 'object' (or concept) apart or removed from ourselves. We become acquainted with that object and establish contact with it. To shift into the realm of meditation we need to be 'involved' with the object, that is, 'communicate' with it. At this point one becomes mindful of the object and aware of the changing stream of sensations and emotions it evokes ...becoming aware of the inner self and deeper thought processes (focusing).

This acceptance of the physical sensations is challenging but ultimately liberating. Meditation precipitates the free flow of all emotions, positive and negative, so must, therefore, be beneficial in dealing with all possible stresses and vexations that the human condition can produce.

It is important to remember, as someone new to meditation, that there is no right way, or wrong way, to

achieve it. There are almost certainly as many ways to meditate as there are people who meditate ...each will develop their own particular methods and strategies. Walkthrough, or guided, meditation programmes, such as 'Chillwaters', are little more than aids or tools that encourage a sympathetic mind set, making one's initial steps in meditation more fruitful. Although by no means a prerequisite, for many (especially the inexperienced) soft music, with no lyrics, helps create a distraction free ambience, that is sympathetic to the process. Something ambient that is almost so watery that it's barely there, played quietly, so that it can be heard without straining, and yet is not so loud as to overbear your thoughts.

Finally, the key with initial attempts is not to try too hard! Concentration is not meditation.

So, in comfortable surroundings, comfortable clothes, with daily routines suitably filed behind closed doors ...put on the cd ...and the journey begins...