The Essence of Meditation

Meditation is the practice of realization.nnIn the beginning it seems that we are developing concentration, objectivity, visualization and certain perceptions - whatever the focus of our meditation is. With practice we come to understand that these states have always been there. There has always been a concentrated mind, an objective mind, a mind capable of perceiving the spiritual dimensions. What we are actually doing is removing the illusions of the mind that prevent us from seeing. It is a transformation of belief that exists in body and mind.nnThis is why it is called realization. We see what is, with “real-eyes.”nnWhat is actually being developed in meditation is awareness and focus. This is all.nnEnlightened states, divinity, bliss, emptiness, no-mind, surrender, God force, universal force, chakra energies - these are inter-dimensional states. They already exist. Awareness and concentration allow us to find the places where they exist and to move our consciousness into them.nnThe most basic tools of meditation are focus and observation, but since the focused mind and the fully aware mind already exist what are we really developing?nnWe are developing the ability to move through illusions.nnThrough practice we can experience a supremely focused mind regardless of the fact that another part of our mind seems weary and unfocused. We can experience an infinitely aware mind even though another part of our mind seems overwhelmed and lacks clarity.nnThis is the beginning of experiencing an infinite mind. It is a mind which can be very normal, very human and down to earth, while at the same time able to move into universal awareness, great strength and courage, and a deep sense of power. It is a mind that can move through illusion which can move between these states.nnThe most effective way to understand this for ourselves is to experience it. Work with this exercise:nnObserve the feeling of your body.nnBe aware of the breath.nnBe aware of sound.nnBe aware of sensation and thought.nnSimply observe all that passes through your senses like watching a movie.nnIf there is agitation - let it be. If there is thought let it be. If there is sound and emotion - let it be.nnPlace your hand over your navel area.nnFeel for a consciousness which is pure focus and deep, calm strength.nnListen for a consciousness which has mastered inner power - that is unshakable.nnFeel it and know it.nnIt exists here and now - allow yourself to find it.nnSee and feel it blossoming in you with full strength like a sun.nnFeel, see and hear your body infusing with this energy.nnFeel it nourishing and energizing you.nnAs with all meditation practices - do not be concerned with whether or not it is or is not working. Simply keep your mind in this area. Allow your consciousness room to play as it discovers the energy here. In play we learn to discover and explore. In exploration and discovery we understand what works for us and what does not.nnThe energy at your navel area is called by many names one of which is chakra or “energy wheel” but the name is not as important as the meaning - and the meaning is found by self-observation. Whatever we may know intellectually about chakras is nothing compared to what the chakra will communicate to us itself.nnIn the beginning the chakra may seem weak or non-existent. This is not the case - it is simply that our minds have only learnt to tune in to the most subtle frequencies of the chakra. With practice it seems like the energy of chakra is increasing - like we are developing it. What is actually happening is that they body and the mind are learning to perceive more of it. It already exists in it’s full power - when we allow our minds to perceive then we experience this. For all intents and purposes perception is like stretching - regular practice brings results. There is no such thing as a quick fix to realization - there are layers upon layers upon layers. As the mind learns to move through each layer the skills and understanding developed here help it to learn how to move through the next layer and so on. We can stand at the bottom of the mountain and peruse the best way to get to the top, but until our hands and feet touch footholds and feel what works we will not truly know how the mountain works.nnMeditation is about realization. Whether we choose to use this to connect to universal consciousness, to energize the body, focus the mind, bring love into our hearts and knowledge into our souls is up to us as individuals. The principles underlying all these goals however are the same.nnIt’s about realization.nnBeneath the clay exists the masterpiece - the sculptor merely removes the filter so that the naked eye can perceive it.nnHieu Doann