›› Meditation
When most people
think of meditation, they think of sitting in lotus position for hours
at a time, either feeling quite peaceful, or feeling quite miserable,
and desperately trying to feel peaceful.
This image of meditation, though partially correct, is not conducive to
inner peace. It is based on two erroneous beliefs. One: that there is a
right and a wrong way to meditate. And two: that you must leave every
day life and sit quietly in order to meditate.
Neither of these two beliefs are particularly helpful, and, more
importantly, they miss the spiritual principle that Life is the Best
Mediation Practice.
Let us examine the above two erroneous beliefs, and see if we can
clarify what mediation and "Life as the Meditation" are really about.
Firstly, there is no "wrong" in meditating. If you feel you are doing
it wrong, then that feeling should become your mediation. Turn
"wrongness" into "rightness." IN other words, do not try to change what
you are experiencing. That is the key to joy. Nothing needs to change
on the inside. If you are uncomfortable or worried then let those
feelings flow. Take the breaks off. Trying to control them is futile.
Instead, be at peace with them. Be at peace with your uncomfortableness.
Deep meditation always transcends ideas of right and wrong. It may
sound strange, but just as there is no way to do meditation wrong,
there is also no way to do meditation right. This means that deep and
true meditation is about the integration of apparent opposites. When
right integrates with wrong, they cancel each other out. They blend and
they merge, just like the yin yang symbol. Who you are, your truest
nature lies in the middle. The middle is where the deepest meditation
comes from.
One way to help integrate the opposites, and experience the center, is
through practicing walking meditation. Walking meditation helps
integrate "motion" and "stillness." IN walking meditation, you learn to
be still on the inside, while moving on the outside. This is the sacred
integration that engenders peace.
Once you get used to walking meditation, it starts to become obvious
that anything can be a meditation. Doing dishes, walking the dog,
folding laundry, and so on. There is no reason to separate meditation
from daily living. You must join the two together. You must unify the
poles.
All meditation starts now. It has already begun. Do not look for it in
lotus position. It is always right here and now. Do not look for how to
meditate correctly, instead let what ever arises be your meditation.
You are whole and complete now, uncomfortable feelings and all, and
your meditation is a reflection of that wholeness. Ride that reflection
naturally and effortlessly, and you will discover true integration in
your self.
››
A Healthy Dose of Good Advice
