What is Meditation?

Oftentimes, when westerners think of meditation, they think of cross-legged yogis sitting with perfect posture, beaming beatifically as they bask in communion with the Divine; or serious-looking Buddhist practitioners contemplating the inner workings of their minds; or a Sufi dancers whirling in exctasy to the music of the spheres; or Gregorian monks chanting in the hills.

All of these are correct, of course, but they're not the only ways to meditate. Many are not quite so esoteric! There are actually as many ways to meditate as there are spiritual traditions and people: Some keep the eyes closed, the mind witnessing the breath, or on an object or word or phrase; others keep the eyes slightly open, watching nothing in particular, or gazing at an icon, a fire, a flower or a rock; there are walking mediations, dancing meditations, singing (chanting) meditations, mindfulness meditations where you can do ANYTHING as long as you're really paying acute attention to it and not letting your mind wander away.

And let's not forget the Native American Sweat Lodge or the Vision Quest or the Walkabout.

There are even different reasons to meditate, depending on the tradition and what you want to get from it: some people want to relieve stress, slow down, and learn to quiet (or at least harness) the mind.

Others meditate to learn more about themselves, their inner workings and the cultural conditioning they've received, to learn to discern from "reality" and their perceptions of reality. As Sappho said: "Know Thyself: This is the beginning of wisdom."

Others use meditation as a form of self-discipline, so they can learn to take the reins of their own minds, rather than be slaves to it, so they don't make the mistake of taking their own thoughts too seriously.

Meditation can also be a way of helping us be more patient, more kind, more empathetic.

Yet others want to experience the bliss of Divine Union, that soul-and-bone deep understanding that we are all unique and individuated parts of one whole, that we are all literally part-and-parcel of what God is.

There are even "wrong" ways to use meditation: Some think that meditation will make them always happy, that it will "fix" them. Others think a mediation practice will make them always good, always patient, always righteous and just. :-) Good luck with that one. Others will use their practice as a way to feel superior to others (spiritual arrogance), or to hide from reality. We can even become addicted to it, like a drug.

All forms of meditation seek "enlightenment". But what does that mean? Literally, it means "to see clearly", beyond our limited perceptions, beyond what we think we see, beyond what our culture, family-of-origen, religion, past experiences tells us we see. It means to look at ourselves, and everything and everyone else, though a clear lens of understanding, wisdom, and compassion. It means to truly know, in the deepest part of ourselves, in the deepest way, that everything is ONE giant, amazing, beautiful, miraculous, terrible, ungraspable whole. The full catastrophe, as Zorba the Greek put it.

And we're never done with enlightenment. It's a process, like life, and as soon as we think we know it all, it's gone, in a flash.

I teach most of these style of meditation, and others, to individuals and small groups. After an initial consultation to ascertain your needs and expectations, I can help you design a program that is best suited for you. I can also help lead you in this process over a period of time.