Meditation

The goal of meditation is a state beyond thinking, a state of pure consciousness - a primal, receptive state of 'forgetting the self'. All of us have surely experienced this, whether it was in nature or in love, while playing, while observing or just being without any thought, while dancing, painting or being creative, etc. These moments are sacred and profoundly fulfilling, and so we yearn for such a state of being ever again, for it connects us to our true nature of non-separation, of being 'at home' and completely at one.

The elders have always known about this state of being, and developed methods to attaining to it; trance and meditation techniques exist all over the world in all cultures. In this sacred state, one could perform healing, attain to visions, help a larger group (there has always been something like a kind of family constellation), find out something for individuals or even open the gate to other dimensions, contact the astral world (for example, in order to give guidance to those who have passed away), or ask for something, and so on and so forth.

The concept of 'meditation' in our culture derives from the Greek medomai and Latin meditari, both of which refer to the act of contemplating, preparing for something or going into oneself.

In the Buddhist as well as in the Indian traditions, the practice of meditation is designed to bring the mind into a state of complete repose and to free it so profoundly from thought that an emptiness arises, an emptiness which opens doors to nondual consciousness and a perception of unfiltered, pure Reality. This pure consciousness puts us in a state of of profound love, bliss, and clarity, our actual and original nature. The Buddhists say that the goal of meditation is the encounter with our fundamental goodness.

In archaic cultures, the shaman or healer goes into a profoundly receptive state of emptiness as well, so that the Divine - that is, pure consciousness - can flow through her and thus serve to heal humans and animals. She or he can then recognize the separating energies which influence a person and cause illness, as can the one who is enlightened.

Meditation has healing effects on a holistic level. Medical studies have shown that during meditation, oxygen consumption decreases as much in a time span between ten and twenty minutes as it normally does during sleep, so that the number of breaths per minute goes down to seven or less. The metabolism slows, thus regenerating the entire organism. The heart beats more slowly and the amount of blood which passes through the heart decreases by up to 25%, thus relieving the heart. The brain is supplied with blood up to 60% more efficiently, such that the mind becomes more awake and the ability to react and think substantially increase. Meditation also has a favorable effect on the hormonal system, which influences feelings and emotions, so that stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline are reduced and the production of the 'happiness hormone' serotonin increases.

Proper conditions for meditation include clean clothes, an undisturbed space, a candle (to burn away negative energies), grounding of the body (through extending of the spinal column toward the Earth's center through a 'golden cord') and regularity in practice.

To attain to a state of real depth in meditation, a good deal of practice is generally required. This leads through three levels: concentration, contemplation and finally meditation. The Buddhists call this learning to 'ride the wild horse'. From concentration one moves on to contemplation, the observation of inner images. This is a threshold state which can touch on the state of concentration as well as that of meditation. At this threshold, one is freed from all worldly attachments, thus opening a space which, though it may frequently be experienced as non-physical, does not yet indicate that the mind is truly at peace. It does, however, become more expansive and boundless, and one may see angels or other spiritual beings. There then follows a carousel of discursive thinking before one enters the sacred state of 'emptiness'. The path to get there is usually quite long, but it is worth it and, as mentioned, necessitates daily practice. At the beginning, you may believe that you will never become calm, and doubt whether this is the correct practice for you. The reason for this restlessness is frequently a certain restlessness in the body and in the nerve pathways, which are constantly occupied by externalities. The body can be compared to a container full of water: when you continue to move it, its contents (the mind) are also constantly in movement.

In meditation, one can recognize the true nature of the mind. A clarity and openness arise instead of the usual distraction which, in fact, keeps us from noticing what is essential. This clarity, this being in one's center, leads to casting aside the fetters of intellect and emotion and to experiencing the freedom of Being. These are moments in which one touches eternity. This experience provides one with the energy of unconditional, all-encompassing love, which lies at the root of all being. Love is the Divine Self, which heals all pains and problems. One who has come into contact with an enlightened master may get a presentiment of this love.

In meditation, not the will of your own ego stands in the center, but rather observation, 'letting be' and 'letting go'. You learn to be still, in order to hear and sense your inner voice, your soul, your inner teacher, the divine seed in you, however you may wish to name it. You learn to become 'empty', since only the bowl which is empty can perceive the 'Fullness'. The bigger the emptied bowl - that is, the more expansive your heart -, the more divine energy can you absorb. The energy of your spiritual heart center will develop and expand until every part of your body, each of its cells has been reached and can then receive and give love.

Thus do you enliven that which has been hidden within you; you heal your spiritual blindness, and this helps you to see your inner shadow and even to transform it.

The path to pure awareness, a state which the Indians call samadhi, is very often a long road, but as it has been said, "The path is the goal". After some regular practice, you will discover more peace, equilibrium and health in yourself. For this alone it is worth it, in any case!

Namaste (I greet the Divine within you) -

Claudia