Meditation is required if anyone wants to change the “normal” state of the mind to make it peaceful. Without mediation, the mind is not grounded in peace within. Instead, it becomes jumpy and grows fatigued. A favourite analogy of mine is to treat the events outside us as waves. A jumpy mind is like a paper boat being thrown around by the waves of daily events. A mind that is at peace is like a rock against which the same waves crash and retreat. The mind is thus a frenemy. Control it with meditation and it is the best of friends. An uncontrolled mind is the worst enemy a person could have.
Research shows that meditation can help rewire the mind in ways that are helpful. Changing the underlying wiring that drives our thinking is not easy. People can continue to act in ways that harm themselves despite understanding the risks involved. This is where meditation can be of help. By brining peace and pause to the mind, meditation gives us space to lead more fulfilling and happy lives.
The articles here touch upon the theme of meditation and how a person can possibly benefit from it.
On Meditation and Pranayam, please read this first: Stop if you feel any discomfort.
Primary Breathing Exercises: Two exercises to lay the foundation for deep meditation.
The Advanced Meditation Exercise (TAME): This meditation technique is an incredibly powerful way to keep the mind peaceful. It is prescribed in Bhagwad Gita, the primary book of Indian spiritual heritage. It derives its power by activating three key things in us: detachment, stillness, and transformation.
Why TAME meditation appears to work better than other techniques: TAME meditation appears to be more effective than other meditation techniques because it activates three essential elements of meditation: detachment, transformation, and stillness. Meditation needs all three.
There is no happiness without mental peace: We all are searching for happiness that is unconditional – wherein the mind does not set conditions for itself to be happy and is happy regardless of what is going on. And, unconditional happiness can only come from keeping the mind peaceful. Effective techniques of meditation can help.
Use Meditation to counter depression and stress: Modern approaches towards depression and stress are not working as they do not understand the mind that creates them. It’s time to rethink our approach.
TAME Meditation can block out pain: In my personal experience, TAME meditation technique can reduce and even block out pain. This works best for pain that is constant and predictable. And, Medical Science needs to pay attention.
All spiritualism through one meditation technique? Could one meditation-breathing technique replicate most of the things taught by Bhagwad Gita, the epitome of Indian spiritual heritage?
Float above reality …. to remain always happy: Use the TAME meditation technique to keep yourself emotionally detached from ups and downs of the daily grind. This can feel like physically floating above the world. Don’t get divorced from reality, but don’t get drowned by it either.
Experience Heaven in this life itself: One does not need to wait for an after-life to experience what heaven might feel like. But it needs focus, effort, and persistence.
The world has no clue: the truth is hidden from our eyes. It is verifiable. And yet, the world is clueless about it.
Chitt Vritti Nirodh: Yoga is not about performance of physical exercise or about physical fitness. Its objective is to bring absolute peace to the mind.
Spiritual Reflexes: I call a “mental reflex” the immediate mental reaction to any event in terms of thoughts and emotions. As a person strives to advance spiritually, this first reaction and its after-effects need to be replaced with what I would call a “spiritual reflex”.
Mental Shelters: Each of us likely has “mental shelters” that we often take refuge in. In difficult time, these shelters might disappear and this loss may create distress. It helps to cultivate “spiritual shelters” as these are more resilient.
The Yogic-Breathing Pause: Practicing pranayama and meditation can improve the quality of our reactions and decisions.
Slowing down is essential for spiritual advance: a life full of hurry cannot possibly advance spiritually.
Meditation lessons from Ramayan: This ancient Indian epic offers surprising and powerful insights about mediation.