What is Meditation?
Meditation refers to a group of practices that have the power to affect the consciousness of the practitioner. These differ among the various techniques used, but mostly achieve a measure of ‘altered’ self induced conscious state.
There are many different meditation techniques, some more effective than others, and the type of experience achieved is mostly dependent on the meditation technique used, the level of expertise of the practitioner and the regularity of the practice.
How does meditation differ from Prayer
Although there appear to be many similarities between meditation and prayer, there is a clear difference between them. Whereas prayer appeals to an outer Being, eg God, and relies on that Being (God) to bring about the supplicants petitions; meditation is an inner process that relies on the inner strength of the person to bring about change in consciousness desired.
Some forms of meditation do however use outer Beings, Deities, objects or concepts as a focus to assist them to achieve various results, but still it is mostly the practitioner him/herself who will make the changes required. Interestingly, meditation beads are also used with some techniques in the same way that some prayer cycles also do with prayer beads.
One source describes the difference as follows:
Prayer is concerned with communicating personally with a deity, spirit, or other form of higher power. It can be an appeal, a wish, or simple communication. As thoughts and feelings are expressed, the path of thinking is altered and a better understanding of divine purpose is achieved. Meditation is a technique that helps to slow and focus the brain so that it is not swarming with the constant thoughts that usually flood it. It helps to bring the body and mind together to achieve a higher level of peace and happiness.
What types of meditation are there?
There are more types of meditation practices than can be covered in this article, and they have wider differences in practice than can be summarised here. Some generic types of meditation are however described herewith:
- Basic Relaxation Meditation – is a process of working consciously to create a relaxed state of mind, body and emotions. Following the breath takes the minds away from “mind clutter” and will calm emotions. An overall sense of peace, serenity, calmness, and relaxation will eventuate.
- Taoist Meditation — rooted in ancient China, shares many features with Hindu, Zen and Buddhist systems, though the Taoist approach is more practical than the abstract, contemplative traditions of India and Japan. Taoist meditations feature the internal circulation of energy, or Qi, and are related to other Chinese arts such as Tai Chi Chuan, Qi Gong and Chinese martial arts. Taoist meditation is built upon the ideas of jing (quiet, stillness) and ding (concentration). The breath is the usual focus of attention to achieve a state of meditation, with a one-pointed awareness to the goal.
- Moving Meditation: Tai Chi Chuan and Qigong — is a moving meditation developed in ancient China, practiced for its relaxation, health, flexibility, strength, and balance benefits. Tension is released through the toning of the muscles, development of balance, and increasing flexibility. As a meditation, Tai Chi Chuan dynamically harmonizes the mind and body. The mind is stilled just as in sitting meditation, but the body moves to actively circulate the Qi energy throughout the body.
Qigong is a meditation based on the breath. Qigong meditation is used to preserve the health to move the Qi in healthy rhythms throughout the body along the Yin and Yang axes, as well as the twelve organ meridians. It works toward physical health and mental wisdom for freedom from upset and sorrow. In China, Qigong meditation is used in hospitals for a wide variety of ills, and is also believed to extend life and protect health.
- Guided Visualization — is a form of meditation that allows the mind to take a journey toward discovery and change. It is a process that works well for overcoming fears and issues causing trouble or stress. It can either be performed with a recording or with a guiding person slowly reading a script out loud while the practitioner meditates. The tone of the speaker must be soothing in nature. It opens the conscious and subconscious minds to a communication between them. Perception through the actual senses is encouraged through the different guided visualizations. Guided visualization is similar to hypnosis in many respects.
- Transcendental Meditation (TM) — is a basic and natural form of meditation that works to achieve a settled state in the mind, referred to as the transcendental consciousness, which is a purer consciousness and which is the root of all creativeness. Transcendental meditation makes use of mantras, and is practiced twice per day, for approximately fifteen minutes each time, in the morning and in the evening. The conscious becomes open to itself when transcendental meditation is achieved.
- Zen Meditation — Zen meditation is based on zazen. This has to do with sitting in one of several possible positions and using meditation to help achieve a better connection with reality’s true nature. There are different forms of Zen meditation, which interpret and practice zazen in different ways.
- Yogic Meditation — is a practice developed in India, often combined with pranayama, a sophisticated practice of breathing techniques. The breath is used as a focus to quiet the mind. Within the calmness of the mind, there is a focus on the present moment, not on what has or what will happen.
- Vipassana (Insight) Meditation — The word Vipassana means to see things as they actually are. It is among the oldest meditation techniques from India, and was rediscovered over 2500 years ago by Gautama Buddha, who then shared it openly with others to assist in overcoming what he referred to as universal ills. Non-sectarian, the goal of Vipassana meditation is the elimination of mental impurities in order to achieve freedom and the happiness that comes with it. It is a method of self-transformation by way of self-observation.
- Tibetan Meditation — is the general term for all meditation practiced within the Buddhist philosophy of Tibet, with the goal of meditating in order to achieve salvation. Tibetan Buddhists practice hundreds, if not thousands of different meditation techniques, each with its own purpose and style in order to compliment the personality of the practitioner. Tibetan meditation works to take the practitioner beyond him/herself and into Nirvana.
- Occult Meditation – Occult meditation builds upon whatever mystical experience may have occurred, taking the whole idea of meditation a step further. The goal is no longer just personal illumination and inspiration, but the right use of the mediative technique to serve in the upliftment and the transformation of the human kingdom and the world in which we live. Occult meditation is a method of cooperation with the process and plan of evolution.
Occultism is the science of energy flow and energy relationships. Occult meditation is a means of consciously and purposefully directing energy from a recognised source to the creation of some specific effect.
Occult meditation works on the simple premise that energy follows and conforms itself to thought. Occult meditation involves a focused mind, the capacity to visualise, an ability to build thoughtforms and to use the creative imagination, plus developing an accurate grasp of the soul’s intent.
This type of meditation enhances the quality of life. It creates a lighted way of relationship and communication between subjective realm of the soul and its objective expression, the personality.
Meditation is, or should be, a deeply spiritual experience. It leads to right relationship with the soul or life aspect and to right human relationships in everyday life. It is essentially the means par excellence of establishing alignment between the various aspects of planetary life, which from the angle of consciousness and form, appear to be separate.
Why Meditate?
“Meditation is the single most effective means for transcending the binding, restrictive sense of separateness and isolation which imprison the human consciousness and render it futile”.
“Meditation is the outstanding creative agent upon the planet. The effect of human meditation at this time is to change conditions, to invoke the higher spiritual potencies, to work with concentration –both vertically and horizontally – within the world of men and within the kingdom of God”.
“It is the technique of spiritual contact and apprehension, the means of furthering the evolution of human intelligence, the capacity to love, and the ability to bring the personal will into alignment with the divine will.”
“The technique of meditation governs all expansions of consciousness……. including the entire process of evolutionary development within the planet.
This vertical and horizontal activity holds the secret of creative meditation.”
Quotes from Alice A. Bailey