What is Meditation and Is It For You?

When I was young in the ...well, let's just say sometime in the last century, meditation had a different meaning and perceived purpose. Even though more traditional Eastern Meditation traditions had been in existence and use for thousands of years in Japan and India, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918-2008) brought to the West a practice called Transcendental Meditation or TM that involved the repeating of sounds and or phrases among other things, inducing a trance and placing one in a sort of Altered State of Consciousness. 

The practice was taught by certified trainers, requiring individuals to undergo a course of study that was set up by and generated profit for Maharishi Yogi. But that is another story. 

Coincidentally, or not, this was also a time when many young people were experimenting with "mind expanding" drugs, like LSD, Psilocybin Mushrooms and Peyote and reported experiencing hallucinations such as being out of the body or having an "Out of Body Experience". Whether intended or not by Maharishi Yogi, Transcendental Meditation became a vehicle to step out of your life, out of your physical body to experience a parallel reality, beyond the material world. 

Sadly, many who used drugs alone or in combination with TM never returned from their "trip" as the drug fueled journey became known. The overdosed or ended up with debilitating brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen as their tongue slid back into their throat and blocked their airway. 

Eventually, that zeitgeist slowly passed along with the defining events that gave rise to it and the icons of that generation that popularized it. Maharishi died in 2008 and a new form of meditation began to appear in grass roots publications, marketplace posters and radio shows. Zen Meditation. Zen is a style of Mahayana Buddhism that originated in China during the Tang dynasty. From China, it spread to Vietnam, Korea and then Japan, where it became known as Japanese Zen. 

Zen Meditation or Zazen

Unlike TM, the intent of Zen is not to leave the body, but rather to be fully contained within it, allowing the consciousness to drop below the level of thought to the more primitive and authentic sensory level. Genuinely experiencing the world in all of its diversity without judgement. Though it is advised that one be guided by an experienced teacher or Sensei to fully understand the practice, it does not require one to join or pay an organization to learn the techniques. 

Zen also encourages the study of Buddhist teachings and and meditation practice, as it applies to the individual, their relationships to each other and the world at large. These are described respectively as Sutras (Teachings) and Sangha (Community).

The use of mind altering drugs is strongly discouraged, as it interferes with one's ability to perceive the world as it is: a critical strategy that puts us in touch with the truth of our life and allows us to make lucid choices that support freedom rather than attachment to people, things or situations. 

Like TM however, traditional Zen meditation does require a commitment of time and effort. One is encouraged to set aside a place in their home where they will construct an alter. The alter can be as simple as a comfortable place to sit, (either on the floor or a chair that promotes good posture), a candle, some incense and an image or statue that reminds us of our connection to "BuddhaNature". Meditation sessions should be practiced at least once daily, preferably in a quiet, clutter free space, apart from distractions. 

This practice comprised a profound part of my life for several years during my thirties. I attended twice weekly Sanghas and practiced at home. Though I always found it difficult to sit still for the required 20-40 minutes, I can say without reservation that the experience, the teachings and the challenge taught me much about myself, the importance discipline and Self Mastery. 

I do believe that understanding the teachings is an important component in the discovery of your own BuddhaNature. Here is a book that I recommend to get you started: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind. And attending a local "Zendo", if there is one in your area, is a great way to learn how to apply those teaching to your life. 

But Is Meditation For You? 

You cannot know whether you have the temperament to sit quietly for an extended period of time. It is far more challenging that you can imagine. And if your life is complicated by kids and crazy schedules, you may find it hard to create the time and space for such an indulgence. But if you can, I encourage you to try. Just making the effort is worthwhile. And give it some time to filter down into your daily life. The results are not immediate. You may begin to notice yourself being less reactive in traffic, work and or relationship situations. You may discover you are more creative in problem solving. You may also notice, as I did, a deep inner artist that is suddenly beckoning to be unleashed. That is the inner YOU waking up, anxious to express the new perceptions and sensations that are now appearing on the horizon of your consciousness. 

You May Already Be Meditating and Not Know It

Though meditation purists and teachers may disagree strongly with me, I have discovered that I attained many of these same benefits in activities I was already doing. It may be that the activity itself is less important than the intensity of focus you apply to it. The concept and emerging science of this focus is called Mindfulness. 

At first, this Mindfulness must be intentionally practiced, as you may have previously held the assumption that "multitasking" is the most effective way of living. But thinking about and doing many things at once undermines your ultimate desire to do everything as well as possible. And more importantly, of gaining peace and insight from even the most mundane of tasks. 

One such task that puts me "in the zone" is Gardening. I don my work clothes, assemble my tools and immediately begin to feel a oneness with the plants and animals in my midst.

Through my hands, I feel the dirt and the texture of the plants; through my nose, the scents of soil and plant materials wafts into my awareness; the heat of the sun warms my back, as I witness the co-creation of my own biosphere.

I become lost in the process and time becomes irrelevant. I am immersed, I am absorbed, I am experiencing Mindfulness. 

Other activities which give rise to this state of mind for me are abstract painting, woodworking, making jewelry, cooking and yes, writing. Even using words and processing ideas taps into a deeper part of my consciousness and that centers me. Grounds me in my body. Creates a sense of being exactly where I belong. As my Sensei (Teacher) used to say: "In this only Moment".

Each moment becomes a oyster of opportunity. And within that oyster are many pearls that nourish us in subtle, profound and unseen ways. 

A word of warning

If you, are like most of us, you have demons buried deep in your subconscious. Demons from past relationships, disappointments, perceived failures, etc: What we can call collectively, Emotional Pain. When you meditate, you open the door on the long imprisoned feelings and they begin to rise to the surface. This is a good thing! But it may be disquieting and cause you unexpected discomfort. It's Okay, this is part of the cleansing process. A process that will result in more mental clarity and inner peace. For though you may have believed those feelings and memories to be forgotten forever, they still arise though your dreams and insidiously effect your perception of and reaction to the outside world. 

Conclusion:

You owe it to yourself to explore the world of Meditation and Mindfulness and discover the activities that put you in the zone. This one effort can profoundly change your life for the better. 

For more information, start by checking out the many resources available from Ticht Naht Hahn

For questions, comments or to republish any part of this article, please contact the author at:

semathias@yahoo.com

Namaste,

Shane Eric Mathias