Meditation, The Way In

By Dhara Lemos

Photo: Dhara at Table Top Mountain, 2005

In every age people have sought to understand themselves, their world, and their universe. They have sought awareness, consciousness, inner knowing, enlightenment and transformation in the search for themselves.

“Know Yourself ” has always been the fundamental teaching of every spiritual tradition. The very word, “meditate” literally means “remedy”. Remedy for what? Long ago we started to understand that forces within us shape our destiny. Forces like our ancestry, karma, biology, and the culture we live in. These are all very strong energetic patterns that we carry deep within our body, mind, and spirit and they all shape our destiny. The “remedy” for getting past these forces and taking charge of our own destiny is meditation.

In meditation we become aware, and in that very awareness, we begin to transform into a more conscious self, rather than reacting to old patterns and conditioning.

We hope you enjoy and also contribute to the Meditation column.

Thank you from all of us here at Lotus Guide.

What is the difference between meditation and meditation techniques?

Meditation is just a stage of being

· Being here and now.

· Being in oneself.

· Being in peace.

· Being love, compassion

To be in meditation is to be in joy. , to be calm, centered in the core of ones heart. Meditation is your birthright. When we are born we are in a state of meditation. As we grow up we lose it, that’s why babies are so beautiful. Meditation techniques were developed to help guide us back to how we were when we were born…in bliss.

Techniques are helpful because they are the result of thousands of years of scientific experiment-they have been created by many diverse teachers/seekers from all over the world. There are many different techniques for the many different types of people.

How do I find the right technique for me?

The first step is to choose a technique that appeals to you. Then you need to do it at least three times. If the method is right for you, something clicks and you know that that is the right method. Then you need to make a commitment and stay with the same method for at least three months because there may come a point where it could get difficult. To discover the real self, sometimes you need to pass through some layers of uncomfortable emotions before you can reach peace.

How long and how often should I meditate?

One hour every day is the ideal but not everybody has the time, so do the best you can: 15 minutes in the morning, half an hour at night; 1 or 2 times a week, whatever you can manage. The important thing is consistency and it’s better to do some than none at all.

How long does it take to start noticing results?

When you find the right technique you will notice results immediately. Sometimes change can be very subtle they slowly creep up on you and after a month or two you notice some change. It all depends on how ready you are; your life situation, and how fast you want to change or how fast you’re able to change.

By Dhara Lemos, Chico, CA July 2004
You can contact Dhara by email or visit her website

Dhara@usa.com

www.SpirituaLight.com

Meditation is nothing but a device to make you aware of your real self-which is not created by you, which need not be created by you, which you already are. You are born with it. You are it! It needs to be discovered. Osho, Puna, India