Whenever the topic of meditation comes up, invariably I get asked the question, “what kind of meditation do you do?” It’s a valid question because so many different meditation types exist. Interestingly I find that this question is asked more in Australia (where I live) rather than India (where my family comes from). This probably relates to the fact that meditation has existed within the Indian culture for 1000’s of years. Even without a formal meditation practice, a system of practices and way of life has developed that has created an ambience that can be best described as meditative.

Meditation is a much newer concept in the west. The Beatles of course made meditation extremely popular with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Swami Vivekananda delivered a spiritual address on yoga and meditation at the World Parliament of Religions that gave rise to a standing ovation. Despite that, meditation is still percolating into the mainstream fabric of society.

A constant practice or technique is important. Try a few different ones and find something that suits you. You won’t attain stillness, silence or peace of mind all at once! The opposite in fact will happen. You will become more aware of the noise. But stick with it in an easy and effortless style. Over time, your mind will settle more quickly and start becoming accustomed to brief periods of stillness and silence. And over more time you will be able to settle in those deeper states for prolonged times. Eventually you may not even have to use the practice. You sit and it happens. And then finally, meditation just happens all the time, eyes closed or open. Meditation becomes your nature and your expression. The meditator becomes meditation!

Don’t worry about the latter. Just focus on your practice. And you will get signs from within as to how the practice is progressing. It’s not necessary to advertise your level! Be wary of those that do!

And more than anything, don’t get all serious about it! Have you seen Dalai Lama? He laughs a lot.

In Health and Wellness

Ranjit