Meditation was a big wave in the US in the 1960′s. I have been teaching meditation for four decades, and I am somewhat surprised to see many people still having the misconception that meditation means sitting absolutely still with no thoughts in your head. I think that is called lobotomy.
The reality is there are many forms of meditation, from seated to active, from self-introspective to social work. And the reality is we all are involved with most forms of meditation throughout our lives. Here I will briefly clarify what meditation is and you will find that you are likely doing one or more of these meditations, perhaps unconsciously.
The working definition I am using here of meditation is, anything that brings you more peace, calm, joy, self-confidence, or insights. Anything that opens your heart to be a bigger person, is another way to express the results of meditation; greater ease, grace, and gratitude; more alignment with God’s or spirit’s highest vision for your best life; following your dharma (life purpose). There are all ways I am defining meditation (sadhana).
And, when you are doing silent meditation (ie, sitting or lying quietly), using a mantra, thoughts will likely go on, but it is the awakening of your consciousness that is where we look for growth. Where you feel more heart ease, more mental calm and clarity, where you have breakthrough insights and realizations how you fit in with nature and how you are beyond nature (ie, your Soul); how you can feel and thin freer around people who used to get you more tense, or how you need to change your behavior and location to not be around people who cause you grief and find new friends who support your more altruistic visions of how life can be.
If you are helping the environment, introducing social entrepreneurism to help people help themselves, if you are reforming the educational or health system in your country, these are likely to bring you more calm and self-love.
In short, whatever works for you is a meditation.
Keep the mind and heart to the sunny side of life and you will live in greater peace & paradise.
For workshops & courses, books and DVDs about how to meditate, see my site
JOY!
Swami Sadashiva Tirtha
The Website Learn to reduce stress, find your dharma, align with your vision & SUCCEED! Live in your JOY!, peace & paradise
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