What is meditation?
All we have ever experienced is this moment. From the first to our last day, life is made out of moment to moment experience: A sound, a smell, an experience of joy or grief. Even the memory of last summer holiday is experienced in the present.
Life is definitely happening right ‘now’.
Most of us however, live our lives at least to some extend on autopilot: a mental stream of past and future, unconscious likes, dislikes, distractions, actions and reactions.
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In meditation we practice being present with life, just the way it is. We become less reactive and cultivate qualities of mind and heart that are aligned with our deepest desire to live fully and happily.
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We could also say that in meditation we return to our natural, relaxed and open way of being. By simply being present with what's here non-judgementally, our natural, peaceful and fulfilled way of being is revealed. So rather than acquiring new knowledge, skills or experiences through years of practice, in meditation we find that the peace we long for is already present, waiting to be recognised. There are no experts or beginners, there is only moment to moment experience to bring into awareness and we let that transform our lives from within. See here for a 10 minute introduction to meditation
Why meditate?
The way we relate to our world is often habitual. When we like an experience we seek more of it or cling to it. When we dislike an experience we avoid it or try to get rid of it. Consequently, we are in a perpetual state of seeking something other than what is present: we are not at ease, we are not fulfilled.
Rather than looking for satisfaction in the ever changing realm of objects, substances, sensations and relations, in meditation we return to our naturally fulfilled being and simply rest in that. Hence meditation reveals a sense of ease and fulfilment, even when on the surface life might be uncomfortable and difficult. Instead of reaching 'away' from the present moment, in meditation we fully recognise what is present and therefore stop investing our sense of fulfilment in some imagined future.
How does it work?
There are various types of meditation of which most of them are different pathways that lead to the same understanding: that the only stable aspect of experience is the knowing of it, or awareness itself. Most of us habitually direct our attention towards the objects of experience (feelings, thoughts, perceptions etc.) and thus overlook the simple fact that we are aware. In meditation we simply rest as awareness itself. As we welcome the coming and going of experience without labelling, holding or fixing anything, we gradually notice that all experience is transient and that only awareness itself is not. This recognition creates a space in which we can begin to unravel our programming and cultivate qualities of mind and heart that are aligned with our deepest desires to live fully and happily.
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Book a free introduction session
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Curious to find out whether meditation is for you? Please login to receive a free trial session coupon in your inbox and book the time slot you like. Do you have any questions? Please see the F.A.Q. , check out scheduled events or contact me directly.