What is Meditation and Meditation Techniques

About Meditation and Meditation Techniques

Meditation is an ancient method originating in northern India. When Siddhartha Guatma tried meditation and practiced it until he became a Buddha (the awaken), this method was already well known and established.

It is very difficult to exaggerate the importance of meditation and its physical and mental contribution to human beings and yet many people find it difficult to implement it. This post explains what meditation is and what techniques to perform itץ

For how long can you stop your thoughts?

On February 28, in 2016, Spain’s Aleix Segura Vendrell broke the world record by staying underwater, i.e., by holding his breath, and placed it at 20 minutes and 3 seconds. An average person can hold his breath for a minute or two. The human body is able to store oxygen for up to 3 minutes, beyond that it is expected to damage the body, and of course, death.

Very few people like Wunderl are capable of 20 minutes, without finishing in the morgue. How long can an average person stop his flow of thoughts? For a second? 10 seconds? One minute?

What happens to the brain when trying to stop the flow of thoughts?

We begin to think about stopping the thought, how to do it, thinking about how not to think, and very quickly, without noticing, a new wave of thoughts is washing about the cessation of thought, and a minute later we remember that we were actually thinking about stopping the thought…

According to the Buddhist concept, and the Yogi concept that preceded it, the human inability to stop thoughts detaches it from the true essence of things. For this Yogi perception, it prevents us from uniting with the eternal peacefulness, which is created by the balance between physical and spiritual.

For Buddhism, it prevents us from achieving Nirvana (Sanskrit: extinguish the flame of the candle) which is a state of wakefulness (Buddha) that comes after the extinguishment of cravings and passions, which lead to false pursuit after insignificant achievements, and therefore cause suffering.

For Daoism, it prevents us from uniting with the Dow, because thoughts bind us to our existing patterns of knowledge that prevent us from understanding things as they really are. That is, if we can only find a way to control the flow of thoughts and stop it, we can achieve so much, according to the central perceptions of East Asia.

Here comes meditation.

What is meditation?

Meditation is the practice of “stopping the flow of thoughts” in order to change the state of consciousness. Meditation is perceived differently by Buddhism and Zen Buddhism (born of a combination of Daoism and Buddhism).

In the Buddhist perception (Theravada), meditation is more focused on specific things, and the results are very far, by reaching nirvana, the wakefulness state of mind. Only a few can achieve this.

In the later Buddhist view (Mahayana), those who were on the brink of achieving wakefulness gave it up in order to help others to get there, such a man was called Bodhisattva.

In Zen Buddhism, on the other hand, every moment can become a moment of wakefulness, if we only completely concentrate on the act itself, without distractions.

Meditation Techniques

There are many techniques for meditation, but in a very simplistic division, they can be divided into three methods:

1. A concentration of thought

2. In the course of action

3. While talking

Meditation by concentrate on thoughts

Sit down and just practice stopping the thoughts. There are different techniques of concentration, but they are all aimed at the same purpose of stopping the flow of thoughts.

Meditation in the course of action

This is very characteristic of Zen and Yoga. Yoga achieves the unification of consciousness and the silencing of the senses through a series of breathing and physical exercises.

In Zen, every action that is done with attention and repetition is meditation, such as, washing dishes. Meditation is daily. It is an integral part of life.

In other words, concentration on the act of washing, and repeating it, is a meditation that brings calm and stops the flow of thoughts. Kung Fu practice achieves a similar effect. If you stand and kick the bag for twenty minutes or do the same kata (repetition), this meditation helps to achieve the secession of thoughts effect.

A long trek, when concentrated on the walk itself and the effort that accompanies it, is also actual meditation and leads to the secession of thoughts.

Meditation while talking

As you speak, an endless repetition of a mantra, for example, the famous Tibetan mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, is effective meditation.

The very repetition of the mantra captures and stops the flow of thoughts because the brain is stuck in the repetition of the mantra and the flow of thoughts stops itself.

Scientific research (easily found on Google) has shown that meditation changes the activity of genes for the better, relieves pain, improves concentration, helps emotional control, improves cognitive function, and strengthens the immune system.

Yet meditation, despite its obvious advantages, is not easy to perform. It is not an intuitive action, certainly not the concept of quietly sitting with continuous concentration.

Meditation Training

So now you have a general understanding of meditation methods. Thousands of scientific studies indicate over 70 benefit s of this age-old practice, yet doing meditation consistently, and doing it right, can be challenging.

Maybe you find it challenging to establish a long-term daily meditation practice. You may feel you don’t have the time, discipline or motivation to do so.

Or perhaps you’re confused about where to start, which technique to choose, and what to do with your mind during meditation.

Do I need a Meditation teacher? Or is it better to join group meditation or Chakra meditation?

How long should you meditate?

How often should you meditate?

This confusion can make you feel that you are just wasting your time or doing it wrong. There is so much conflicting information about meditation out there, and it can be a real pain to figure it all out.

If this is you, then read on. You are in the right place.

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