I am often asked the question, "what is meditation?" Or, "what is meditation and how to do it", or "what is meditation good for?" At first glance, these may appear to be simple questions, but depending who you put the questions to, you may get a very wide variety of answers.
For instance, if you ask a Stress Therapist, "What is meditation? Or "What is meditation good for" They may tell you that meditation is a series of simple techniques that you can use, to greatly reduce the levels of stress and anxiety that you experience in your life. They would be correct, in that, by practicing using certain meditation techniques on a regular basis, you will certainly experience less stress and anxiety in your life. You could easily start practicing meditation and find out for yourself.
Yoga
Or if you ask a Yoga Meditation teacher the same question, "What is meditation?" they may tell you that meditation is a series of profoundly powerful techniques that you can use to relax your mind, body and emotions. In practicing these meditation techniques, you may discover a place of peace and tranquility within you. Again, if you use certain yoga meditation techniques, you will almost certainly feel physically, mentally and emotionally better, plus you may experience greater peace and tranquility. Again, the easy thing to do is for you to start meditating, maybe for a few months, and see for yourself what benefits of meditation you may or may not experience.
The problems start when you start asking people with 'faith' or 'religious beliefs', "What is meditation?" Then you are often invited to believe that either:
A) Through the practice of certain meditation techniques, that you will one day, in this life or the next, discover Enlightenment.
B) Through meditating using specific meditation methods, you will have 'spiritual experiences'.
C) That by meditating in the manner that is recommended by them, you will make discover your deepest nature, etc.
Now, you are being invited to believe stuff which in 99% of cases, cannot be proved. You are invited to have 'faith'.
My advice to you, if you are genuinely inquiring into "What is meditation?", or "What is meditation good for?" Then I advise you to believe nothing, and ask for proof. Ask to speak to an Enlightened person. Ask that person how you will discover Enlightenment for yourself - in this lifetime. If they cannot tell you, then walk away. After all, if you cannot discover something for yourself, ie; first hand, concrete, direct experience, for yourself, then what use is it to you? You are simply being invited to join in a belief system.
Secondly, there is the problem of 'meaning'. Depending on whom you talk to, the word Enlightenment or Spiritual means many different things to different people. For guidance on deciding what these words could or should mean to you, please look around this web site.
But, in general, when a person asks me, "What is meditation?", I simply say this. Meditation is the process of discovering more and more about yourself. In general, you will experience less stress and anxiety in your life. It is a progressive experience that ultimately reveals to you, your very deepest nature. This deepest nature is called Enlightenment.
Enlightenment is not an experience; it is a permanent state of BEING. Unlike every experience you have ever had, Enlightenment has no beginning, it has no middle and it has no end. It is PERMANENT. This state of being can be discovered by you. I am not asking you to believe me, I am inviting you to find out for yourself.
Then you yourself will know for a fact, what is meditation, you will know how to do it, you will know for yourself what meditation is good for.
I Am Often Asked, What Is Meditation?
Francis Taylor has been teaching meditation all over the world. He believes that it is possible to find the light in this lifetime rather than only when you pass on.
Finding the light will allow you to live a more joyful life. Through meditation and being initiated you will expand and grow to to new heights that you never dreamed possible.
It all starts with letting go, being still and observing. You can experience Francis Taylor's enjoyable guided mediation absolutely free of charge by visiting http://www.MeditationClassAtHome.com
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