Nowadays, the majority of people in the West who wish to learn how to meditate do so because they want to relax. In a world of constant demands, where everything appears to happen at lightning speed, people want to learn the technique of freeing themselves from the variety of tensions they face, find an inner calm to bring about balance in their lives and sustain a positive frame of mind.In the East, meditation is an ancient tradition, which involves far more than just relaxing and being positive; it is a way to enlighten the mind.
An enlightened mind is one filled with peace, clarity and kindness. Clarity enables the individual to make decisions, which are benevolent and accurate for the self and others; kindness protects the self and others from the harmful effects of the mind's negative desires.The aim of meditation is to use the values of wisdom, peace and kindness to enable the individual to control the mind, to keep it in order.
Meditation is the method to find that point which recharges the mind with peace, clarity and balance.
We can define meditation as the 8 'Rs':
Returning
Meditation is the technique of returning to the original qualities of the self, namely peace, purity, love, bliss and wisdom. We can only do that by taking our thoughts inwards.
Relaxing
In meditation, the mind disconnects itself from the thoughts of anything external and connects with the inner self. In this way, it is able to receive the positive current of the original strength of the self: a peaceful source of energy.
Remembering
As the mind relaxes and gently concentrates on the 'point source' of peace energy, the individual begins to remember their spiritual identity. The reason why people are so disorientated in their lives and why they often find life boring, tedious, or empty is because they have forgotten who they truly are.
Releasing
As we remember the forgotten reality of the self as a spiritual being and begin to experience our inner source of peace, we are released from the negativity of our mind: wasteful thinking and thoughts filled with doubt, fear and worry - the three great dragons that dominate our mind constantly.
Relearning
As we become free, we begin to respect ourselves and relearn what it means to value our self, our life and our existence in this great play of life. Forgotten truths appear and a new education of the self begins.
Rediscovering
As we relearn, we rediscover our spiritual values and resources and, realising they were always there, we resolve to use these silent intrinsic truths, which are the foundation of a better quality of life.
Restoring
As we begin to use these spiritual truths, our original strengths and qualities are restored. There is a transition in consciousness enabling confidence and self-esteem to become a natural way of being.
Recharging
The leap of consciousness that occurs when we connect with our inner spiritual self, is a powerful way of recharging the energies of the human mind.
