Characterizing the term Meditation

What is meditation?

The Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in India, explains in simple language meditation is " total cessation,or ending ,of the restless thought-stream of the mind". A state ,free from all stray and idyllic thoughts, meditation is the gateway to obtain cosmic energy and cosmic intelligence that surrounds us.

The Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in India states that meditation means making our mind ' rather empty'. Once our mind is more or less empty ,we have a tremendous capability of receiving cosmic energy and cosmic information surrounds us.This leads to good health and absolute clarity in thought process leading to a joyous life!.

Meditation is very very easy to practice.It is so very simple. One should immediately begin with the practice of ' anapanasati ' in which one needs to be mindful of natural breathing.

In 'Pali' language

' Ana' means ' in breath'

' Apana ' means' observe'

" Benefits of meditation "

●    All diseases are totally healed..

●    Memory power increases..

●    Wasteful habits die a natural death..

●    Mind always stays in a peaceful and joyous state..

●    All work gets done with greater efficiency.

●    Sleep-time requirements get reduced..

●    Relationships become more meaningful and fulfilling..

●    Purpose of life is better understood..

 

Meditation is a “No-Mind” state. It is about emptying the mind of all the thoughts like an empty bowl, a bamboo flute or a still pond where there are no ripples. It is witnessing the happening activities of consciousness or self. It is the process of letting go… detachment…non-doing, being silent and still silencing the inner talk.

The Alcohol Rehabilitation Center in India states that different names are used in different countries to describe meditation like Den, Chen, Dyana. It is an integral part of all religious practices in the world. There are thousands of meditation techniques but they all focus upon quieting the mind. Methods of meditation differ but the end goal remains the same.

The optimum meditation time is proportional to a person's age in years, which means a 5 year old child must meditate for 5 minutes; a 25 years old boy should meditate for 25 minutes. The actual length of meditation depends upon your temperament and your needs.

If you meditate for too long a time the mind starts to rebel against you, on other hand if you meditate for a short time you don’t receive much benefit from it. How long you meditate is eventually a choice, not a rule. A regular practice is more important than the length of your meditation.

Sometimes you feel pin pricks in your legs that are followed by a feeling of numbness. Itching is also a common distraction. Mental distractions are caused by thoughts. Whatever we thought, maybe they arise and appear on their own record if you don’t interact with them. It is a part of worries that comes with thoughts of the future. Lethargy, drowsiness and sleepiness are common internal distractions. Don’t label them as good or bad.

Distractions may come from sounds such as someone clearing the throat, coughing and snoring inside the room. As we develop a tranquil state of mind, the mind accepts and transcends all these sounds. Physical pain is a common experience in meditation because we are not used to sitting in one position for a long time. So you may move your body and readjust your gesture if the pain is constant and unbearable.