Meditation Revealed – What’s The Secret?
As part of my research for this blog, I have begun to interview people on the streets in order to gain a better understand of what people think of meditation. In asking these three simple questions, I want to determine the common beliefs, depth of knowledge, and values of the average person.
When asked, “what does meditation mean to you?” people’s responses typicaly follow a predictable script about relaxation, sitting with eyes closed, cross legged, and so on. Having studied yoga scriptures and practiced meditation for many years I can say that most people have a very narrow and mistaken view of meditation.
Meditation, for me, is a skill and a state of mind where a person’s concentration is focused on an object of contemplation.The object can be a place, thing, emotion, or thought. This of course is a very broad definition and there are many traditions and paths from all over the world that have found different ways of interpreting, ritualizing, and training this state of mind and skill without imposing strict rules of posture, length of time, location, and other attributes typically associated with this overused word. As you read, I invite you to begin to explore and imagine all possibilities and opportunities for bringing meditation into your life.
Related Links:
Russells Ashtanga – Meditation and 8 Limbs
National Center for Contemplative & Alternative Medicine: Meditation
Related posts:
Have you ever read the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali? your description of meditation is very similar. I have found books like “Sure ways to self realisation” and “Meditation from the tantras” very interesting and practical reads.
I also decided to try and dispel some of the beliefs commonly held about mediation on my blog, Meditation and 8 limbs (http://russellsashtanga.info/wp/yoga-an-overview/meditation-and-8-limbs/) discusses the topic in relation to my understanding, which is based on personal experience and having read those books and others like Yoga Darshan and Dharana Darshan.
Good luck in educating the masses.
Russell
So true, people think of sages lying on needles when they talk about meditation. I am glad that you are doing such a noble work here to spread awarness.