Meditation - the state of
Meditation is the name given to a state of being when the current consciousness of an individual moves from its habitual place of being to a more expanded state of being. We find ourselves naturally in states of meditation when we are in awe inspiring situations such as natural wonders we experience in Nature, the birth of a child, creative expansion in art, music, dance etc…where our attention is naturally absorbed in being-ness and we get ‘blown away’ into an expanded state of awareness, relaxation, peace, love and connection with one-ness.
There are power spots / places in the world, but also simply in going into the woods or being by the sea, where the veil between worlds can be experienced as thinner. We can sense our consciousness relax and expand in ways we are not always aware of what is happening or how or why in such environments.
With regular practice of meditation techniques we can expand our habitual state of consciousness to reside in a larger expanse of consciousness. From there we can tap into the next edge of consciousness available to us and so forth. The state of meditation, or the ability to tap into the greater consciousness in all, becomes more and more available as the practitioner progresses in their practice.
Relaxation is a fundament to meditation.
Developing focus and attention on the object of meditation is a stepping stone to entering states of meditation through practices.
Posture also plays a significant role in practice.
Meditation - through transmission
An experienced Teacher or a Yoga Master / Guru can also give the practitioner an expanded state of being, meditative state through transmission. This is rare.
It is also possible to experience oneself being drawn into expansion through another persons expansion, however, integrating that experience can be challenging when returning to ones own habitual consciousness state if the gap between the two is great. The gradual process of building ones conscious capacity expansion through regular sadhana, daily practice, is by far recommended as an organic and healthy process of expanding your consciousness.
Meditation - the practice of
We say we are meditating when we are utilising tools/practices/methods for meditation. These tools and techniques are proven methods that with regular practice takes the practitioner into the art of meditation. Each technique has particular expressions or outcomes that are cultivated by the practitioner who regularly uses the technique.
Therefore, if a certain state of change in consciousness, in energy, is required for the practitioner, then based on the knowing of what a technique cultivates a suitable practice can be given by an experienced teacher in the technique.
Some techniques require pre-requisites of practice/preparations from the practitioner.
Some techniques are safe and easy for any beginner to take on.
There are many tools/techniques and types of Meditation Practice.
Examples:
Breath meditation
Candle Gazing Meditation
Walking Meditation
Hatha Yoga Movement Meditations
Mantra Meditations
Yantra Meditations
Zen Meditation
Vipassana Meditation
Chakra Meditation
Mudra Meditations
Crystal Meditations
Visualisation Meditations
Sound Meditations
and so on…
With regular ongoing practice the meditation activity becomes a place of rest, relaxation, peace, inspiration, energy, motivation, purpose, meaning, creativity, conversation with spirit, intuition, clarity, healing and many more wondrous and useful things.
But at first it is a very physical experience. True at least for sitting meditation which utilises stillness and sometimes silence and solitude. We must first master our wayward energies to get comfortable with sitting still and being at ease for at least 15 minutes in a seated posture.
In YM we define:
Meditation - the divine abode - Mind and Heart movement patterns with specific energetic resonance for spiritual evolution
See also YogaMonks and YM Meditations.
I often say ‘’Where your attention flows, your consciousness grows.’’
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Meditation - other definitions Merriam Webster
meditation noun
med·i·ta·tion | ˌme-də-ˈtā-shən
Definition of meditation
1: a discourse intended to express its author's reflections or to guide others in contemplation
2: the act or process of meditating
meditate verb
med·i·tate | ˈme-də-ˌtāt
meditated; meditating
Definition of meditate
intransitive verb
1: to engage in contemplation or reflection
He meditated long and hard before announcing his decision.
2: to engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness