Planting the seed to better health.™
A Guide To Meditation & Mindfulness
Part 2
Meditation is often seen as a way to escape or unplug from the stresses of modern life, but the practice has been around for at least 5,000 years with it’s origins firmly rooted in ancient religions, the earliest documented evidence stemming from the Vedas of India around 1,500 BCE.
Around the same time, mediation began to build traction across China, closely followed by Japan, becoming an integral spiritual practice of Buddhists around 600 BCE and reaching the West around 20 BCE, documented in early Greek texts.
The Spread of Meditation throughout the World.
Nowadays, Meditation is widely practiced both to enhance performance - as it develops intense discipline and focus - and as a stress reduction tool, but this wasn’t always the case. Historically it was seen as a spiritual exercise, the domain of priests, monks and other religious figures, (although early Christians didn’t adopt meditation, their prayer and worship shared many similarities).
When scholars, in the 20th century, began translating ancient texts, many intellectuals adopted the different forms of meditation that were discovered and around the 1920’s Yoga became more widely practiced amongst Hindus in India. It wasn’t until the 1960’s, however, that Transcendental Meditation and Hatha Yoga became popular in the West.
The Goal
There are many theories on the goal of meditation, but a common mis-conception is that it is about clearing your mind of all thought. Buddhists believe that the goal is enlightenment - a path towards ending all suffering. Our understanding in the West tends to lean towards
“The goal of Meditation is not to control your thoughts, It’s to stop letting them control you” Unknown
The common thread that links all goals, tends to be to “still” the mind from external influences and cultivate it towards seeing clearly.
Apart from developing focus and channeling performance, there are many health benefits to be found in meditation, some of which are listed here - but it takes practice and dedication to become proficient. Many people give up as they feel their inability to stop the flow of thought suggests that they have not been successful - but the reality is that you cannot clear your mind of all thought any more than you can stop breathing. Rather than stopping all thought, you allow the thoughts to arise and pass - without allowing them to steer you.
The Methods
There are so many methods which can be adopted in Mediation, but here are just a few for you to consider
Mantra Meditation: this plays a prominent part in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Here, a repetitive sound, a word or phrase, such as “Ohm” is chanted, over time making you more alert and in tune with your surroundings. This method is popular as many find it easier to focus on the sound than their breath. You can choose your own word or phrase that is meaningful to you.
Movement Meditation: Often the first thing that springs to mind when hearing this term is yoga, however it could equally be practiced through Qigong or the more structured Tai Chi, or just walking through the woods or water on a shoreline, or even gentle gardening, any form of gentle motion. Great for people who find peace in action and like to let their minds wander.
Spiritual Meditation: Often practiced in Daoism, Hinduism and even some branches of Christianity. This may be practiced at home or in a place of worship where, similar to being in prayer, you reflect in the silence around you seeking a deeper connection to your God or the universe. Essential oils, such as frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood and cedarwood are frequently used to heighten the spiritual connection.
Transcendental Meditation: arguably the most popular form of meditation around the world and definitely the most studied. Again, a mantra or phrase is used, but this is specific to the individual practitioner - often designed around an area or issue one seeks to improve or elevate. Great for those who take a more structured approach to meditation.
Mindfulness Meditation: touched on previously in part one of this article, this is often the first form of meditation you would explore and involves adopting breathing techniques to concentrate the mind, acknowledging thoughts as they come to mind without judging or becoming involved with them - more observing the patterns and flow of the thoughts. Popular if you don’t have a teacher to guide you as this can easily be practiced alone.
Altered Consciousness - Shamanism: Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with what they believe to be a spirit world and channel these transcendental energies into this world. Stemming from ancient cultures including Siberian, Indian, Native American and South American, these altered states of consciousness were attained through chanting, repetitive drum beat rhythms or even through the use of hallucinogens and intoxicants to induce the ecstatic state, including mushrooms, peyote, Ayahuasca and alcohol. (obviously not recommended for those seeking to improve their overall health and wellbeing).
Last Word
“You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes everyday - unless you're too busy; then you should sit for an hour.” ― Dr. Sukhraj Dhillon
Wherever you want this meditation path to lead, to reduce stress or to seek spiritual enlightenment there is a method or practice to suit you. Sure, it may lead you way out of your comfort zone and you may have to experiment with several until you find the right one for you - but bear in mind “Meditation is not a means to an end. It is both the means and the end.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti
LOVE, HEALTH & HAPPINESS!
The Nutriseed Team
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