| Earlier, I was asked via email, if I've ever | | | | distant and personal perspective: A distant |
| meditated? This question, albeit very simple | | | | perspective-because during meditation, one |
| and answerable by either yes or no, had me | | | | literally tries to free his/herself from the |
| thinking. I literally had to stop for a few | | | | physical boundaries that create the |
| moments and ponder about it. A part of me | | | | situation. On the hand, meditation is a |
| said "Yes, everyday I meditate through my | | | | personal perspective-because not everyone |
| Catholic prayers." But then another part of | | | | attains enlightenment the same way as the |
| me said, "Not really... since I'm not | | | | other. Individuals have to address their |
| Buddhist or Hindu." Admittedly, the initial | | | | personality and overcome respective obstacles |
| image that comes to my mind when I hear the | | | | vis-à-vis the bigger picture. If you think |
| word meditation is a person doing the | | | | about it, the end result of meditation is |
| half-lotus position, with eyes closed, | | | | actually quite paradoxical, because |
| chanting or humming the word "Om." Either | | | | meditation frees you from all distractions by |
| that or a person isolated in the middle of a | | | | "losing yourself" in the state of |
| cherry blossom garden, again with eyes closed | | | | contemplation. I've heard a number of people |
| and zoning out of the world. The better part | | | | tell me that habitually allotting at least 15 |
| of me knows that meditation is much more than | | | | minutes of your time in a day to |
| the images that I initially think of when I | | | | meditate-whether it is to reflect, to think |
| hear the word, but still for some reason I | | | | of nothing, to deliberate, to chant mantras |
| have such a stereotypical association and | | | | or to pray-allows your mind to think more |
| impression of the word. Is it because of mass | | | | clearly; it gives your body more room to be |
| media's influence? Perhaps. Or maybe I just | | | | natural; and in turn you perform better as a |
| don't really use the word as often. But I | | | | person. Personally, it makes sense. |
| digress. Because I was uncertain if I've ever | | | | Meditating is very natural habit to begin |
| meditated, and I stereotyped meditation to | | | | with. It is nature's way to provide us with |
| eastern practices, I decided to verify and | | | | the break that we need whenever we are |
| research on what meditation means... The | | | | overloaded with sensorial, mental and |
| Compact Oxford Dictionary defines meditation | | | | emotional information. So if we consciously |
| as: "The action or practice of meditating." | | | | engage in meditation, we are able to actually |
| Other definitions from for meditation are: "A | | | | put more purpose in our instinctive trait to |
| devotional exercise of or leading to | | | | take a step back when troubled. Meditation |
| contemplation / A contemplative course, | | | | allows us to channel our energies and reach |
| usually on a religious or philosophical | | | | our personal and holistic objectives in a |
| subject." Meditation then, I realize is | | | | clearer, more definite way. So, have you ever |
| something that everyone does subconsciously. | | | | meditated? Clearly, the answer is for |
| However, the discipline of meditation | | | | everyone is yes. The big question now is: are |
| emerges, when people meditate in a more | | | | you willing to make your meditation a more |
| conscious, proactive and directed manner. | | | | proactive, conscious, disciplined and |
| What is attained, because of a more | | | | deliberate way of life? Maybe we should all |
| deliberate purpose of meditation, is | | | | meditate on that. |
| essentially peace and clarity of mind, | | | | |
| calmness and inner strength. After all, | | | | Jane Michael is the head writer at the Center |
| meditation requires individuals to silence | | | | for Meditation. Meditation is her practice |
| themselves amidst the hurly burly and chaos | | | | and her passion. Guided meditation is a great |
| of life. Meditation in one sense, enables | | | | way to start your meditation practice. |
| individuals to assess situations from both a | | | | |