01/7Understanding meditation
Today, we live in a very competitive era where stress and anxiety are constant companions. From the anxieties at the workplace to the stress and tensions of home, often people find themselves overwhelmed because of the things happening around them. And thus, while looking for a way to relax and let go, people rediscovered meditation. Meditation is a centuries-old practice that includes a wide range of techniques that help people be more mindful, concentrated and happier from within. At its core, meditation involves training your mind to achieve a state of heightened awareness, which in turn enables you to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgement.
02/7Is there a right way to meditate?
Several Gurus and influencers have started preaching about the right way to meditate. Some give advice that is genuine and helps, but others are rather misguided. The thing is, that the essence of meditation lies in developing within you a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. Rather than attempting to control or suppress your thoughts or focusing on something, true meditation involves not focusing on anything and yet being in control of your conscience. Your main work during meditation should be observing your thoughts as they arise and allowing them to pass without attachment.
03/7Why you should not focus
There are several people who feel rather happy or jovial when they see Lord Shiva or Krishna ji or any God in their mind while they meditate. To see or focus on one particular God or thought is not really what meditation tells you to do. Focusing on someone or something during meditation can actually distract you from its intended purpose and by fixating the mind on something external stimuli, you risk becoming disconnected from the inner experience.
04/7When exactly should we focus then?
When we talk about ‘Dhyaan’, there is meditation and there is ‘naam jap’ or chant. Chanting is a distinct practice often associated with meditation but has different elements. While meditation emphasises stillness and introspection, chanting involves repeating something continuously. The recitation of sounds, words, or phrases to induce a meditative state is chanting. And, it is during chanting that one should focus on a certain deity, god or their image because there is a direct connection between the name being said or chanted and the God being imagined.
05/7What to focus on instead
Rather than fixating on someone or something external, individuals practising meditation should direct their attention inward. This inward focus allows you to explore your own thoughts and your ‘prana’ or the life force within you. When you meditate, don’t look for divine guidance but rather search for that guidance within you. When you turn your attention away from turning external distractions, you can deepen the meditation experience.
06/7Focus on your breath
One of the most common important points in meditation is the breath. The rhythmic inhaling and exhaling are like an anchor for the mind, providing a point of focus to return to whenever distractions arise. By observing your breath with total awareness, you can develop a sense of calm and centeredness, which will in turn allow you to remain more present in the moment that you are living right now.
07/7Embracing the present moment
At last, the essence of meditation lies in accepting the present moment fully. Rather than actively looking for external distractions or fixations, people must aim for an open awareness of their immediate experience, of the things that they are feeling and witnessing first hand. By focusing your attention in the here and now, we form a deeper connection with ourselves which enriches us from the inside.
End of Story