Meditation in Today's World

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