|  | | Have you ever watched a sunset, sat by the ocean, or taken a walk in the forest and felt complete inner peace and well-being? That is the same feeling that is experienced during meditation practice. |
Meditation is a period of time set aside every day to quiet the mind. Meditation is a way to slow down, chill out, and get in touch with the eternal side of your being. Initially in meditation, thoughts are slowed down, and eventually, thought stops completely. The height of meditation is a state called samadhi where the mind is completely merged with worlds of perfect light. Meditation recharges you and helps you get in touch with your inner self. It brings clarity and insight into daily life - you can more easily determine what is really right for you. Meditation makes you happy and bright. It also empowers you to accomplish things in the daily world by connecting you to the power of the universe. Eventually, dedicated meditation practice leads to Enlightenment. The great news is that the benefits of meditation will be experienced right away, beginning with your first meditation session.
"Meditation is the bridge between this and all other levels of consciousness;
Practicing meditation makes you aware of your eternally enlightened nature.
By practicing meditation you will come to see that the true nature of the real you,
the body of light, is everlasting bliss!"
-Rama
Meditation Techniques There are many forms of meditation, such as chakra, yantra, and mantra meditation. While the forms of meditation vary, they all use concentration techniques, which help us to stop our thoughts. When the mind is calm, like a lake without any ripples, we experience total peace and empowerment.
Meditation Tips Regardless of the form of meditation, it is a good idea to take a shower, or wash your hands and face before you meditate. You may want to set aside a special place in your room that you only use for meditation. Or you can find a place outside that feels good to you. It is important to keep the back straight during meditation, whether you are sitting on the floor or in a chair. Energy flows up the spine, so we try to create a straight pathway for it. Also, it’s a good idea not to eat too much before you meditate, or you will feel heavy and tired. At the end of a meditation session, always bow in gratitude and offer your meditation back to the universe. This humble sign of gratitude is very important in Buddhist practice.
Many styles of meditation practice exist today. They generally involve focusing on energy centers in the body, concentrating on a picture or image, chanting, or breathing exercises. Regardless of the style, they all share a common goal - to stop thought. When our thoughts stop, we can connect to worlds of light, power, wisdom, and pure consciousness. Try each style and determine which one feels best to you. You may even want to alternate between the techniques from time to time. Whichever approach you choose, you will find that each meditation session brings a little more clarity and power into your life. The most important things are perseverance in your practice and the ability to never judge your meditation. Meditation takes practice, so don't expect too much too soon. If you find your mind wandering away from your meditation, do not get frustrated. Simply bring your mind gently back to the technique. Trust yourself and believe in the practice.
"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly.
What is essential is invisible to the eye."
-The Little Prince Mindfulness Mindfulness is another form of meditation. It is meditation in action, and it is how we integrate meditation into all aspects of our daily lives until our whole life itself has become meditation. (Don't worry, this takes time to accomplish!). It is based on the Buddhist principle that whatever you focus on, you become. In Buddhism, we do not believe that the mind has a particular, solid shape. Instead, Buddhists believe that the mind is fluid. It takes whatever form you put it in. Whatever thought forms you hold in your mind will determine its shape. So if you focus on unhappy things, you will become unhappy, and conversely, if you focus on happy things, you will become happy! "What you focus on, you become.
So always focus on that which is the highest, brightest,
happiest and most Noble of all Things -
Enlightenment."
-Rama
In practical terms therefore, mindfulness is all about being positive! It is a fun game you can play every day. Throughout the day, pay attention to the thoughts you think, the emotions you feel, your reactions, and so on. When something negative comes along, rather than reacting, engaging, or indulging in that negativity, consciously move your mind to something positive. For example, if you have a negative thought, replace it with a very positive one. In much the same way that your body needs to be worked out in order to become strong, your mind is like a muscle - you have to work it out in order to strengthen it! And eliminating negative thoughts and emotions from your mind is like physical exercise - it's a good habit to get into! Eventually, you will find that you feel better and happier throughout the day, because you will not be allowing yourself to be brought down by any negativity you may encounter. Then at the end of the day, you will discover that you have more energy for the evening.
"To integrate meditation in action is the whole
ground and point and purpose of meditation."
-The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying
The twin practices of meditation and mindfulness are the key to Buddhist practice.
Chakra meditation involves concentrating on energy centers, called chakras, that are found in the astral (subtle-physical) body. These energy centers are located along a nonphysical energy tube called the sushumna. The sushumna in the astral body corresponds to the spinal column in the physical body, starting at the base of the spine and ending at the 'third eye', between the eyebrows and a little above. Seven primary chakras are found at different points along the sushumna. Kundalini, also called chi, prana, or raw energy, sits at the base of the spine in the first chakra. During chakra meditation, the kundalini energy is pulled from the first chakra up through the sushumna to the third eye in the area of the forehead where the sushumna ends. In very advanced meditation practice, when a great deal of energy is generated and held in the third eye, the energy can "jump" from the third eye to the seventh chakra. The seventh chakra is called the "crown" chakra or the "thousand petaled lotus of light." When the energy "jumps" to the crown chakra, a state called samadhi occurs in which one is merged with the worlds of light. When a practitioner enters into samadhi, he or she has entered into the first stages of Enlightenment. Entering into samadhi repeatedly will eventually lead a practitioner to a state of complete awareness, in which that person has actually become one with Enlightenment itself.
In chakra meditation, we focus on three of the seven primary energy centers. By "focus", we mean that we place our attention on the areas of the body which correspond with each chakra, one at a time. We concentrate on the energy center, thereby activating it and releasing its energy. Sometimes it is helpful to place your fingers gently on each center as you meditate to help you feel where they are. Eventually, you will naturally feel the energy centers in your body.
 | | We start with the third chakra, the "navel" or "power" center, which is approximately one inch below the navel. By meditating here, the first three centers are activated and great power is released into your being. This energy gives you the ability to accomplish physical things. This is the center for willpower and strength. |
 | | We then move to the fourth chakra, the "heart" center. This center is in the middle of the chest in the general area of the heart. By meditating here, you get the benefits of both the fourth and fifth chakras. This is the center for balance and happiness. |
 | | Finally, we focus on the sixth chakra, the "third eye". This chakra is in the middle of the forehead between the eyebrows and slightly above them. This is the center for wisdom and psychic seeing. |
It is generally a good idea to spend an equal amount of time on each chakra. If you meditate for 15 minutes, spend five minutes focusing on each chakra. Likewise, if you meditate for an hour, spend 20 minutes concentrating on each center. By practicing chakra meditation in this way, you will bring power, balance and wisdom into your life.
Yantras are ancient geometrical designs. These sacred images are doorways to different worlds of light. Yantra meditation involves focusing on one of these designs. The practice of focusing the mind on something external or internal helps to make the mind quiet. And focusing on a yantra will connect you with the bright worlds that the yantra represents, bringing happiness and clarity into your life.
In yantra meditation, you begin by concentrating on the center of the image. When thoughts come in and out of your mind, refocus on the center of the yantra. As your mind becomes quieter, extend your awareness out toward the edges of the yantra, so that you are now focusing on the entire design. Eventually, you will be able to visualize your yantra completely with your eyes closed. This concentration technique will quiet your mind and connect you to the energy of the universe. Find a yantra that feels good to you for your meditation practice. You can start with the yantra on this page (above).
Mantra meditation is chanting meditation. Mantras are sacred words or phrases which, when repeated in meditation, bring the individual into a higher state of consciousness. The sounds that are produced during mantra meditation are a form of energy, which connect you to worlds of light and spiritual ecstacy. You can chant a mantra out loud, in a whisper, or mentally. Perhaps the most famous mantra is OM MANI PADME HUM which can be translated as "the jewel in the heart of the lotus" or "Enlightenment is within everything". Chanting a mantra repeatedly for the duration of your meditation session will, over time, develop your powers of concentration to a high degree, and you will experience great inner peace and clarity of mind. The trick is to focus on the sacred sounds and the sacred meaning of the mantra. Each time your mind is diverted from pure concentration, bring it back to your meditation by focusing on the mantra. 
OM MANI PADME HUM |
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