Meditation helps us to relax and think clearly. It can help us to deal with stress. Stress can cause heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. It can also affect the immune system. When we are stressed, our bodies react in ways that prepare us to fight or run. In some cases, this physical response is helpful. However, a prolonged state of such agitation can cause physical damage.
One of the main causes of stress is the disharmony of body, mind, and spirit. Meditation is a means of harmonizing these. Meditation calms the body, repairs it, and prevents further damage from stress. Meditation also relaxes the mind, which has real benefits for the body. Studies show that meditation lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and anger, and helps prevent heart attacks and strokes. For thousands of years, spiritual traditions worldwide have said that we need to balance our lives with contemplation and meditation. Today, science and biology agree.
What does it mean to meditate?
Webster’s dictionary says that “meditate” means thinking deeply about something to become more aware of the spiritual world.
The main thing meditation does is focus your attention. You can focus on your breathing, emotions, thoughts, or sound vibrations. Meditation is about bringing the mind back to the present. It helps calm the body and mind. The purpose of meditation is to achieve a higher state of consciousness, which brings serenity, clarity, and bliss.
Various types of meditation
There are many different kinds of meditation. While there are many different meditation techniques, they all focus on the present moment.
To be in the here and now
Rather than focusing on the past or future, meditation techniques focus on the present moment. This involves experiencing each moment, letting it go, and experiencing the next.
Change in the state of consciousness
With time, focusing on the present can lead to a different state of mind. Meditation increases brain activity in an area of the brain associated with happiness, positive thoughts and emotions. Regular practice brings positive changes in these areas.
Categories of meditation techniques
Researchers generally classify meditation techniques into two different categories: concentrative and non-concentrative.
Concentrative meditation involves focusing on an object outside of oneself, such as a candle flame, sound, or mantra. Non-concentrative meditation focuses on the sounds in one’s environment, body sensations, and breathing.
Mantra Meditation
Let’s explore mantra meditation, which involves focusing on sound vibrations. Mantra is a Sanskrit word meaning “that which frees the mind.” A mantra is a sound that frees the mind from stress and negative emotions like anger and envy. It prepares the mind to focus on positive emotions like forgiveness, tolerance, and humility.
Sound vibrations can change our mood. If someone is rude to us, we feel depressed. If someone speaks to us kindly, our mind becomes happy. If we hear our favorite song, our mind becomes relaxed. Great speeches have inspired people to create revolutions. These are all the effects of sound vibrations on the mind. Mantra Meditation is based on this principle.
The mantra recommended to overcome the ill effects of this age is the “Hare Krsna Mantra.”
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE.
- HARE is the feminine energy that is accepting, forgiving and loving.
- KRISHNA is the attractive source of beauty, power and truth.
- RAMA is the source of spiritual pleasure, joy and serving others.
The combination of these three words calls upon the facilities within us that illuminate the mind with spiritual energy.
Mantra meditation can be performed by following the “3P” formula:
- Posture – Sit in a comfortable, relaxed position.
- Pronunciation – Each syllable of the mantra must be pronounced clearly. Mantra meditation is about focusing on the sound vibration and pronouncing the syllables correctly.
- Prayer – While focusing on the sound vibration, the practitioner is encouraged to meditate on the meaning of each word. This chanting is a call for grace. An attitude of gratitude prepares the mind to tune into higher realms of consciousness.
How to overcome challenges during meditation
One of the main problems for meditation practitioners is dealing with a restless mind. If the mind is not purified, it will continue to cause problems. The Bhagavad Gita, an ancient text on Bhakti Yoga, says:
“For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is a friend. For one who has failed to do so, the mind will remain an enemy.”
Mantra meditation helps tame the mind by gradually befriending it. A healthy lifestyle helps reduce distractions and steady the mind. The activities we do throughout the day affect how we meditate.
DISCOVERY:
- What are the benefits of meditation?
- What is Mantra Meditation?
UNDERSTANDING:
- Explain how sound affects the mind.
- What are some challenges for meditators?
APPLICATION:
- What kind of lifestyle is good for meditation?
