Meditation is not a lifestyle. It is the art of quieting the mind and focusing our consciousness to achieve a state of awareness beyond the realm of our physical senses and within the depth of the subconscious mind. In other words, meditation is the mastery of the mind.
Although we are able to keep ourselves in a physical state of alertness through the use of muscle tension, the activities of the body are not supported by our mental capacities. In fact, our mental faculties, through which we create reality, make it possible for us to think. Therefore, when we become completely aware of our thoughts, we are able to cleanse the mental contamination we have accumulated over the years.
Meditation is similar to gardening. We will first start out with the roots. We will then move to the flowers and finally move on to the branches.
In the same way, we will begin by stopping all mental acts that keep us running around without any goals. We will make ourselves aware of our actions and deliberate whether the outcome is one we want. Only then should we stop and contemplate, if we need to change anything.
Another major aspect of meditation is being able to see through the hindrances of our physical senses. Our minds are often clouded with excitement, grief, fatigue, hunger, and so on. If we are ever going to experience total peace of mind, we must be able to see these external stimuli clearly.
At different degrees of intensity, we will have to be able to see through the hindrances of our senses. This can only be done by meditation. As the meditation becomes deeper, our ability to do this improves.
In some cases, meditative practices may be performed daily. This is often referred to as meditation Shakti. Most forms of meditation lead to a state of regularity, such as morning, evening, and night-time practices.
In Shakti, there is no expectation of results, but this does not mean that our lives are boring. In Shakti, the process is more of a series of natural laws than one’s own effort. It requires no special equipment or training performing Shakti.
Shakti, also known as Japa meditation, is the meditation practice that allows the inner consciousness to focus on the body. It allows you to identify the body as an illusion, as something that was created within the mind. Your thoughts cause your body to act out what you have instructed it to. The mind, while allowing the mind to operate, is not allowed to interfere with your bodily functions.
Different types of meditation techniques are used depending on the goals of the meditator. For example, Raja Yoga, popular in India, takes a relaxed approach to meditation. In such meditation, the goals are achieved through a series of tasks and practices.
Not all meditation techniques fall into one of these categories. These different types are used in combination with each other to achieve one particular goal. As long as a meditator has an idea of their specific goals, they can choose the best meditation technique for their needs.
