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Why
Meditate? by Yvette Moore - 14th January 2003
Need
answers to vexed, disparate questions? Such as, What
is the meaning of life or should I marry Tom?
Want
to know which shoes to buy, or who you are? Or maybe
you just want to simply relax a little.
Well,
there's nothing mystical or rather there is no mystique
about meditation. The spiritual "spin doctors"
or Buddha Rimpoches, Swamis etc may leave you feeling
confused.
Simply
put, meditation is about "Self". If it's
reality you want meditation really is the answer.
Sure,
it can be an art or craft or honed skill. But it's
also something many of us do without trying. I have
a friend who tells me after a long drive solo; he
often just arrives at life's answers spontaneously
along with the journey's destination. (Without consciously
trying).
It's
actually about allowing. Indeed anything that engages
our full attention for a time has a meditative undertone.
Jogging, engaging conversation or playing tennis.
Focussing on anything momentarily or for prolonged
periods without the intrusion of other thoughts; is
meditation.
One
thing is for sure, real change starts from the Inside
- that is in our subconscious, and emanates outward
into our lives, loves, behaviour and whatever good
(or bad) we manifest.
Actually
my meditation experience has been irrevocably entwined
with my own life perils and experiences. It was in
a period of profound bleakness and chaos, some 15
or so years ago, when I was labouring with all kinds
of losses; that I happened upon meditation as a means
of some solace. It was via an Indian "outfit",
complete with gurus, mantra, chanting and saffron
robes. Although invaluable as an initial learning
experience; it wasn't until some 5 years later, when
really desperate after 2 close friends died, I nearly
lost my house and did loose my inheritance; that I
realised no bells and whistles where necessary, just
the intention to meditate sufficed and is fundamental.
So merely sitting, standing, cycling or whatever,
and focussing for a few minutes initially on the breath
was an enormous catalyst to greater understanding
of the meditative process. I gleaned huge benefit
from closing my eyes and "watching" my breathing.
This was excellent and coupled with a modicum of daily
discipline, a certain calm arrived almost without
expectation.
Since
then I have refined the technique (more about that
at a later date), and I've learned so much about myself
in the process. By no means a master, I've amazed
myself with true peace, insights, experiences and
events beyond my wildest fantasies.
It's
difficult not to be evangelical when you know something
works. Suffice it to say Breathing is great, repeating
words is great. It's all-good. But I do it every day.
My learning is in its infancy - some of it painful
(necessary for me).
One
thing is for sure, it's helped my grow, change and
know more fully WHO I AM.
Links:
Profile:
Yvette Moore
Channel
31, Sydney
Channel
31, Melbourne
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