What is Meditation?
By Dr Pradeep Kumar
“Meditation is the art of going beyond psychological thoughts (not technical thoughts, which are part of body's survival mechanisms), freeing mind from tension, stress, conflict, sorrow and anger. A thought free mind rests in peace and joy without being lazy or inattentive”.
Meditation is also an art of dying……dying to the past . Past contains accumulated anger, guilt, resentments, violence and grief. Such a dying of the past frees the person from sufferings and bringing celebration in life. That is why meditation is pure celebration and dance too.
Relaxation is the first condition of meditation. In a relaxed mind thoughts begin to slow down, providing a background for a meditation technique to grow and flower.
Meditation and Health:
What is the evidence that the practice of meditation assist us in achieving greater states of physical and emotional well being? Studies from around the world are accumulating to show that indeed there are definite physiological effects of meditation. These include lowering of high blood pressure, a reduction in anxiety levels and a reduced need for painkillers among those suffering from chronic pain syndromes.
In Dr Dean Ornish's study of coronary patients, a regime of diet, exercise and meditation resulted in significantly lowered rates of coronary events. Meditation based stress reduction programs have been used in the setting of chronic pain clinics, in psychiatric hospitals, and in inner city health centers. These techniques are also widely used by people who are physically well to deepen a sense of inner well being and peace.
For those who explore the practice of meditation, three major experience modes emerge: -
Physical and psychological healing
- Integration of body, emotions and thinking mind
- Transcendence or going beyond the known psychological limits of experiencing
Healing: The first effort in a meditation technique is to observe our own body, emotions and thought patterns. In most people the body is neglected, emotions are repressed and a web of useless thoughts circulates through the mind. The process of becoming aware brings a tremendous sensitivity to the mind that promotes self-knowledge. This self knowledge brings a state of acceptance in which conflict resolves and injuries resulting from that conflict heal.
Integration: As meditation practice deepens, this healing of body-emotion-mind leads to a state of inner integration, which brings a sense of wholeness and well being.
Beyond……: After integration, the process of meditation is entirely spontaneous and beyond mind's effort and control. At this level, the individual may through mystical experiences in which a deep sense of universal love and compassion is perceived.