Archive for September 13th, 2010
Meditation Style
Finding your ‘meditation style’ can be so challenging that many of us often end up believing that we just can’t do it; that meditation is just not our cup of tea.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2004) lists as the second definition for meditate, “…to engage in deep mental exercise directed toward a heightened level of spiritual awareness.”
There are many approaches to and styles of meditation geared toward helping us to achieve greater spiritual awareness and connection with the Divine. But before you choose a particular discipline, it is vital that you identify what kind of meditator you are. Are you a passive or active meditator? An active meditation style will find frustration and failure in passive methods, and, likewise a passive meditator in active styles.
An example of passive meditation would be sitting as still as possible in a place of quietude and breathing into that place of oneness. Toning, chanting and music may or may not accompany. A good example of active meditation can be found in the walking meditations of Thich Nhat Hanh. Breathing is essential to all meditation practices, and no less so in active meditations.
If you have a personal, spiritual goal of attaining a stronger spiritual connection and heightened level of awareness, then I wholeheartedly encourage your exploration into discovering your meditation style.