"Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless - like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend"says Bruce Lee
As promised, I have "researched" the history of meditation and also attempted to outline the major methods that practitioners use in modern studios. I must point out that I am not an expert in meditation, rather I am a passionate believer in the benefits regardless of the method you choose for yourself.
There has been much documented and often mystery surrounding meditation. There is nothing fearful except for fear itself, and there is nothing mysterious or fearful with Meditation.
Meditation is, in simple undiluted terms, an exercise for our mind. Yet, the mere fact that we exercise the mind with deep breathing, yoga style breathing, meditation is therefore beneficial for your body and if you believe, it will directly benefit your soul. I will use another word for soul!
I will call it "being", for this exercise! The reason I am suggesting an alternative word for soul, is that again our fears or beliefs are often associate negatively when we talk of the soul, of the spirit, as being wishy washy and with little substance. Western civilization has to a large degree disowned anything thing that is not seen by the naked eye.
Meditation, in all methods is derived from Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. All forms of meditation aims to simply quieten the mind.
Breath and Navel Meditation, is reportedly the oldest method and still one of the favored principles of meditation in practice. It simply involves control of the breath and focuses on different parts of the body, mainly the navel in order to reach a state of calmness and relaxation. It is also referred to as "Zen".
Yoni Mudra is another form of Meditation, where the principle method is to use your fingers to cover your ears, eyes and mouth. This brings the focus to these body parts and assists with the breathing pattern. As you breathe out you lift your finger away from your eyes and then your ears and you repeat this whilst deep breathing.
Walking Meditation, as the name suggest, focuses on the step, the walking, your feet and your breathe. You walk and breathe yoga style, whilst focusing on the foot steps. Simple meditation for those who have little time to devote to other forms of meditation.
Vipassana or Mindfulness meditation is a practice well known to the Buddhist. The philosophy is that you aim to be aware of what you do at the precise moment. The four key points to the well known method of meditation is to abstain from killing, stealing, lying, sexual misconduct and use of toxins, such as alcohol, tobacco and so on. Annapana is practiced for three and a half days and is focuses on your breath. On the last day, you can speak and return to an extroverted life. This practice is often the most challenging, but also the most rewarding as you journey inwards.
Journey meditation involves visualization to achieve a meditated state. It focuses on erasing anxiety and its purpose is to replace the specific problem with a peaceful option. In fact to express this method correctly, I will quote something I read today - "When the mind is full of peace it does not run off and start to worry" !
Vibrant or chanting meditation is one of the different methods in modern practice. It uses a repetitious chant of one or multiple words or sound that become the focal point.
Movement meditation is also another method that is gaining popularity. It choose dance as a focus and like chanting is repetitive in its movement and flow.
Body Scanning is a method where again you deep breath, yoga breathing, however you concentrate the breath to reach specific body parts. Such as your stomach, your liver and so on. The method expects that you follow a set routine and take the breathe all through your body.
Reiki Meditation was redeveloped by Sensei during the 19th century and his it roots steep in Tendai Buddhism and Shintoism It aims to balance the flow of energy in order to obtain enlightenment and peace through knowing what to do with one life and being affected by nothing. A well known method in modern therapies it is often referred to as Chakra healing. History reports that Mr Sensei fasted for 21 days and performed a meditation named the Lotus Repentance. This comes from Tendai Buddhism.
Transcendental meditation has raised much debate as it requires no specific technique, other than sitting quietly in a chair and possibly deep yoga breathing in order to refresh and rejuvenate. It claims to increase creativity and intellect.
Past Life Regression was first recorded during ancient Greek and Egyptian area. It is also recording in Ancient Indian Verdic Literature and is known as Prati Prasav. Simaran is the known name given in Jain Scriptures. PLR gained western world wide recognition, through none other than Mr Sigmund Freud. Mr Frued believed bringing the unconscious mind to the the conscious is necessary in order for one to make choices and heal. Jung, later postulated collaborative unconsciousness. Edgar Cayce, 1927, founded the popular theory known as Knowing Transpersonal psychology and through meditation aimed to study self transcendent or spiritual aspects of the human experience.
With behavior science historically involved in the use of hypnotherapy and with Frued's and his contemporary's philosophy linked to the regressed memory and meditation, we can relate to why it appears the PLR is often associated with the health profession, rather than spiritual practice.
Yet if we consider all forms meditation outlined, we must acknowledge that their principles and much of the practice is similar in each method. Deep breathing, relaxation and focus is common in all practices. Equally the aim is to a create a trance like state in order to free the mind of endless chatter and confusion. How the trance state is obtained appears to be the major difference in methods.
For example, the chanting method also includes "laughing meditation". I recently attended a class and found it to be overwhelming and as I was not comfortable with this type of display, increased the feeling of chatter and anxiety. Perhaps, if I were in a group that had bonded and were familiar with each other, the experience may have been more helpful. Nonetheless, I am certain for some individuals that idea of chanting appeals and will be of benefit.
To free the mind of clutter, to create a generous flow of energy, through deep breathing , free flow through our body and talk to our organs as though they were individual, living creatures, make sense to me.
It is not important if and why we believe in past lives, what is important is we accept that our memory, like a computer holds loads of rubbish and mixed up messages that is strangling our thought patterns, or if you prefer our "air waves" to a point where we cannot cope and anxiety escalates.
Initially I considered PLR meditation as a form of initial health intervention as my body and mind was not connected and balanced. However now this approach will remain as my focus and regular practice.
Yet as I explore all of the variations and opportunities through meditation methodologies I feel that I must study many formulas before committing to one course of life long practice. PLR has its place in my life as the hypnotic component ensures a simple trance like state that allows your mind and body to rest and bring unresolved concerns to the surface.
Body scanning has also proved to me to be exceptionally relaxing, stress reducing and cleansing of the organs through deep breathing. My therapist encourage a routine that included specific visualized colors of breath for each organ and the routine was to be complete in strict order and ideally at the same time each day. Her reasoning was that , like children, our body responds to boundaries and orderly routines that are predictable.
Slight change of topic, tonight I was talking to my dear friend and made the comment that I was not sure what other studies I would like to do when I am in Australia. Her wise words were,to let it flow, the answer is within you. Well, I now have that answer without me controlling. or worrying my precious mind over needless questions. With this tucked in my positive memory I will now enjoy a good nights rest and decide tomorrow where the topic for the next post may take us!
Love and light everyone!
Kes xx
No comments:
Post a Comment