The Purpose of Meditation and Our Meditation Technique
"Why should I meditate? Surely the answers I seek must be found in the millions of books and resources out there?"
Like many who trusted their dependable intellect more than the elusive spiritual state, I spent years hoping and believing that the answers to the mysteries of my life and solutions to the hardships I was suffering from were in at least one of the books out there. To cater to this market, numerous spiritual, religious and motivational books have been written to attempt to solve the cosmic mysteries and answer these questions for us.
However, it is not uncommon that any uplifting effects or stirring emotions generated after reading these books turn out to be temporary. It is almost second nature to lapse back into habitual ways of thinking and coping mechanisms once the transient cognitive boost fades.
Why is this so?
This is because the inner discovery journey is a spiritual quest, not an intellectual one, hence if we read only at the intellectual level, what we comprehend will not resonate with us at a deeper level to effect any transformative changes. This does not mean that we should stop reading altogether, as wisdom is found in good books, just that the journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening has to first commence within us.
As we bridge the gap between our intellectual mind and spiritual core, we will then be able to more effectively unravel the higher meanings and significance behind what we read and experience in our daily lives, and sustain the state and sense of wellness and purpose.
The amazing thing is that this journey can be undertaken by every one of us, right this moment, at any location, via a technique that will cost us nothing – meditation.
Meditation is a term that has been used imprecisely to designate a broad variety of practices found across many cultures and traditions, and it is therefore not surprising that there are many techniques based on the various perspectives. It is tempting to lapse into the routine intellectual exercise of analysing each school of practice, weigh the benefits before deciding to dedicate oneself to a particularly promising method.
But no, I shall not digress here, as the only question we have to ask ourselves before we commit to the practice, is simply: "What is the intention?"
The intention of meditation is to quiet the constant chatter of our conscious mind, achieve a focused state of concentration, thereby enabling us to access the infinite wisdom of higher consciousness. Through meditation, we can connect with our spiritual source, heal inner wounds, awaken to our spiritual nature, and discover our higher purpose.
Like many who trusted their dependable intellect more than the elusive spiritual state, I spent years hoping and believing that the answers to the mysteries of my life and solutions to the hardships I was suffering from were in at least one of the books out there. To cater to this market, numerous spiritual, religious and motivational books have been written to attempt to solve the cosmic mysteries and answer these questions for us.
However, it is not uncommon that any uplifting effects or stirring emotions generated after reading these books turn out to be temporary. It is almost second nature to lapse back into habitual ways of thinking and coping mechanisms once the transient cognitive boost fades.
Why is this so?
This is because the inner discovery journey is a spiritual quest, not an intellectual one, hence if we read only at the intellectual level, what we comprehend will not resonate with us at a deeper level to effect any transformative changes. This does not mean that we should stop reading altogether, as wisdom is found in good books, just that the journey of self-discovery and spiritual awakening has to first commence within us.
As we bridge the gap between our intellectual mind and spiritual core, we will then be able to more effectively unravel the higher meanings and significance behind what we read and experience in our daily lives, and sustain the state and sense of wellness and purpose.
The amazing thing is that this journey can be undertaken by every one of us, right this moment, at any location, via a technique that will cost us nothing – meditation.
Meditation is a term that has been used imprecisely to designate a broad variety of practices found across many cultures and traditions, and it is therefore not surprising that there are many techniques based on the various perspectives. It is tempting to lapse into the routine intellectual exercise of analysing each school of practice, weigh the benefits before deciding to dedicate oneself to a particularly promising method.
But no, I shall not digress here, as the only question we have to ask ourselves before we commit to the practice, is simply: "What is the intention?"
The intention of meditation is to quiet the constant chatter of our conscious mind, achieve a focused state of concentration, thereby enabling us to access the infinite wisdom of higher consciousness. Through meditation, we can connect with our spiritual source, heal inner wounds, awaken to our spiritual nature, and discover our higher purpose.
Our Meditation Technique
1) Choose a query or issue that you would like to focus on for this session. It can be a broad issue such as “What is my purpose in this lifetime” or a focused question such as “Should I accept the job offer?” As a start, it would be easier to focus on specific queries or break down a large issue into smaller parts. As you hone your meditation skills, you will be able to adjust the level of your query accordingly.
2) You can meditate in silence, or select a calm meditation music that you are comfortable with. If you prefer to meditate with music, I suggest using the same meditation music for your meditation sessions as familiarity with the music enables you to enter the meditative state more easily with practice. You can simply search for “meditation music” in YouTube and choose according to your inclination. The music I use is a YouTube video by The Honest Guys.
3) You may find it helpful to dim the room.
4) Put on a headphone or plug in earphones when listening to the music. This will block out external distracting noises.
5) Close your eyes and simply listen to the music for the next few seconds. Conscious thoughts and comments will invariably start surfacing. Take 3 deep breaths and concentrate on the movements of your chest as you do so, gently brushing away the thoughts.
5) Think of a safe place in your mind where you feel safe, relaxed and at peace. It can be a place you have been to, if not, simply create one in the imagination of your mind.
It can be a on a mountain top with majestic views, an open plain emanating the sense of freedom, a seaside facing rhythmic rolling waves, or anywhere else. Visualize in your mind, as many details you need about the place that will enable you to easily summon this place to mind every time you commence meditation.
This will be your personal meditation space or healing place. This step helps you to enter and stay in a focused state of concentration more effectively than trying to think of an empty, black or white space.
For me, my meditation space is that of a healing forest. I will visualize myself sitting in a clearing in the middle of the forest, surrounded by towering trees with thick foliage through which sunlight streams. Before me, a slow stream runs across the forest floor. The serenity of this natural environment calms my busy mind, and relaxes my body.
6) For those who are familiar with your spirit guide(s) and/or higher self, you may wish to seek their guidance at this point by asking for their presence and help. Your spirit guide(s) and/or higher self may or may not appear, but it is fruitful to request their presence and see if they appear.
7) From this safe place in your mind, focus on the query or issue that you have selected to explore for the session, and accept without analyzing or judging whatever images or stories that arise subsequently from this starting point. If your spirit guide and/or higher self is present, you can request their help by asking them the meaning behind what arises if you cannot make sense of it, and see if they respond. Be thankful for whatever help you receive.
It is crucial to remember that even though some images may not make sense at the moment of your meditation, do not suppress what you experience, just go with the flow with no resistance. Conscious thoughts might still arise, just gently let them go.
8) How to conclude the session – If possible, it is better not to set a timer to conclude the session, because subconsciously, you might be on the lookout for the timer noise and cannot focus as well as you should. However, this is really your own personal preference and practice. Usually, once the sensation of mental fatigue sets in or you have received what you sought, it is time to stop the session because it will be harder to sustain the state of focused concentration once you are tired. With some practice, you can continue where you left off in the next session on another day. Just recall the last scene of the previous session (when you are at step 5 & 6), and carry on from there.
Points to note:
1) Choose a query or issue that you would like to focus on for this session. It can be a broad issue such as “What is my purpose in this lifetime” or a focused question such as “Should I accept the job offer?” As a start, it would be easier to focus on specific queries or break down a large issue into smaller parts. As you hone your meditation skills, you will be able to adjust the level of your query accordingly.
2) You can meditate in silence, or select a calm meditation music that you are comfortable with. If you prefer to meditate with music, I suggest using the same meditation music for your meditation sessions as familiarity with the music enables you to enter the meditative state more easily with practice. You can simply search for “meditation music” in YouTube and choose according to your inclination. The music I use is a YouTube video by The Honest Guys.
3) You may find it helpful to dim the room.
4) Put on a headphone or plug in earphones when listening to the music. This will block out external distracting noises.
5) Close your eyes and simply listen to the music for the next few seconds. Conscious thoughts and comments will invariably start surfacing. Take 3 deep breaths and concentrate on the movements of your chest as you do so, gently brushing away the thoughts.
5) Think of a safe place in your mind where you feel safe, relaxed and at peace. It can be a place you have been to, if not, simply create one in the imagination of your mind.
It can be a on a mountain top with majestic views, an open plain emanating the sense of freedom, a seaside facing rhythmic rolling waves, or anywhere else. Visualize in your mind, as many details you need about the place that will enable you to easily summon this place to mind every time you commence meditation.
This will be your personal meditation space or healing place. This step helps you to enter and stay in a focused state of concentration more effectively than trying to think of an empty, black or white space.
For me, my meditation space is that of a healing forest. I will visualize myself sitting in a clearing in the middle of the forest, surrounded by towering trees with thick foliage through which sunlight streams. Before me, a slow stream runs across the forest floor. The serenity of this natural environment calms my busy mind, and relaxes my body.
6) For those who are familiar with your spirit guide(s) and/or higher self, you may wish to seek their guidance at this point by asking for their presence and help. Your spirit guide(s) and/or higher self may or may not appear, but it is fruitful to request their presence and see if they appear.
7) From this safe place in your mind, focus on the query or issue that you have selected to explore for the session, and accept without analyzing or judging whatever images or stories that arise subsequently from this starting point. If your spirit guide and/or higher self is present, you can request their help by asking them the meaning behind what arises if you cannot make sense of it, and see if they respond. Be thankful for whatever help you receive.
It is crucial to remember that even though some images may not make sense at the moment of your meditation, do not suppress what you experience, just go with the flow with no resistance. Conscious thoughts might still arise, just gently let them go.
8) How to conclude the session – If possible, it is better not to set a timer to conclude the session, because subconsciously, you might be on the lookout for the timer noise and cannot focus as well as you should. However, this is really your own personal preference and practice. Usually, once the sensation of mental fatigue sets in or you have received what you sought, it is time to stop the session because it will be harder to sustain the state of focused concentration once you are tired. With some practice, you can continue where you left off in the next session on another day. Just recall the last scene of the previous session (when you are at step 5 & 6), and carry on from there.
Points to note:
- For starters, you may want to start with Steps 2 to 5 to practise visualizing your meditation space or healing place until you can achieve the focused state of concentration. You can then add Step 1, 6 and 7 to seek the answers to your queries or issues by tapping into the infinite wisdom of higher consciousness.
- A query may be answered in a single session, or over several sessions which might not occur sequentially. Hence it is important that upon concluding each session, you journal or document any images, messages or insights that you may have received. Over time, the puzzle pieces may just fall in place to deliver the answer(s) you have been seeking.
- Interestingly and importantly, the answer may also appear in your daily life as signs of synchronicity. Synchronicity has been commonly described as meaningful coincidences, but I feel that it is so much more than that. I personally would describe synchronicity as meaningful events facilitating and guiding us towards a particular direction best suited or meant for our learning and evolution.
- This process takes practice, patience and perseverance. To be frank, there may be more unfruitful sessions than fruitful ones, or you can find yourself in a dry spell after several good sessions. But it is all simply part of the process of looking within (rather than without) for what you seek, and the rewards will be much more fulfilling than you can ever imagine. For me, I heal my inner wounds, find the answers to the purpose and meaning of my life, and receive invaluable spiritual lessons and insights beyond what my intellectual mind could ever conceive.
- You too, can reap the cosmic benefits from this practice today.
