Meditation

"Meditation opens the window to silence and in this silence we discover love. This love dissolves the anxiety of self-centeredness because the separate self has merged into silence, into love, into the sky of pure awareness. In this awareness, the true Self is liberated from conditions. Rumi tells us that 'reality is a rapture that takes you out of form. You are the unconditioned spirit trapped in conditions.'" ~ Robert Rabbin

Meditation is a simple and effortless technique that I practice for about 20 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the evening. With meditation I experience a state of restful alertness; this is the time that I connect with the "cosmic conscience."

When it's time for me to meditate I find a comfortable, quiet place to sit, close my eyes and allow myself to appreciate where I am at that moment. I take notice of my breathing and usually my mind becomes more relaxed. Then I begin to repeat my mantra in time with my breath. (A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated to yourself.) With practice, my mantra flows through my mind like a stream flowing smoothly down an Alaskan hillside. If I become aware of other thoughts or if my mind is particularly active, I just acknowledge the thoughts and return to my mantra. Often I reach a point where I become unaware of the passage of time. I feel calm and tranquil. After about 20 minutes I end the meditation. I try not to pop up at the end of medication, rather I allow myself to become aware of my surroundings and slowly open my eyes.

I was given my mantra in 1971 during my time in Hawaii as a student at the University. I went to a lecture on Transcendental Meditation (TM), became interested and received training. I've practiced this meditation procedure since then. I find that meditation helps me to relieve fatigue and stress. I look forward to the times of day that I am able to meditate and relax. Transcendental Meditation isn't a religion, it's purely a type of meditation technique; it doesn't depend on any kind of faith or belief. 

Visit http://www.TM.org if you'd like more information about TM or for general information on meditation techniques visit the Spirituality, Yoga, Hinduism Pages' How to Meditate.

Visit  http://www.spiritwalk.org/thought.htm for a Daily Thought.