Meditation II

Summary from Meditation I

(a) Meditation is concentration on a single thought stream

(b) The purpose of Meditation is to increase our own happiness and serenity and that of everyone else.

Observe the mental landscape

Ensure your are warm and comfortable, sit in your favourite place, bed, sofa and begin to notice what you are thinking about.  Don't be afraid of your thoughts, if they are good or bad.  It's not necessary to close your eyes, if it bothers you, just relax their focus and look down.

For some people, the simple act of being alone with oneself, or having the eyes closed and entering a dark landscape can be difficult.  Talk to your yoga teacher or meditation instructor if you cannot overcome these hurdles by yourself.  Never force it.

After a few minutes of observation you will see which thoughts are uppermost in your mind and how they behave.  Thoughts appear to have a life of their own, and the more you observe them the more you are able to characterise their behaviour and the emotional effect they have on you.  Continue only for a few moments, the purpose is just to take a peek and no more.

What Makes you Happy

In the previous post we listed activities that induce a state of meditation simply because they are associated with concentration on a single thought stream.  But that list is almost endless, your own hobbies and pastimes and almost anything that makes you happy could be a meditative tool or become such.

If you have no hobbies that draw your mind in this way, then perhaps a piece of music that especially inspires you ?  It is also helpful to expand observation beyond the self and to find interest in new things; nature provides wonders everywhere, it is really just a matter of noticing.  In Japan we have amazing architecture, and a thousand art forms upon which to rest our focus.  Do not limit yourself by thinking that you dislike art or dislike nature, just observe.  The more you look, smell, listen, feel, the more you are drawn and the more you can understand.

Yoga Meditation Poses

It is not necessary to sit cross-legged for yoga meditation, a chair is fine, so are other poses.  The classical pose for meditation is called "lotus pose" or padmasana.  This is one of several yoga poses that are recommended for meditation and they are all very difficult for most of us.  Vajrasana is the easiest of these poses and details will follow.  Yoga was created in India, and it is my opinion that Indians are able to sit in padmasana somewhat more easily than the Japanese and far more easily than Westerners.   In short :  Never worry. Thoughts of sitting in impossible agony on cold hard floors will make meditation impossible.  Find yourself a sturdy chair with good back support, add pillows as necessary and continue to Meditation III.

[ It is not necessary to sit cross-legged or even to sit. There are walking, standing and even dancing forms of meditation. ]