I am facilitating a series of Meditation and Emotional Healing Circles commencing Monday afternoon, 2 pm, in Fellowship Hall, Holy Trinity United Church, Elliot Lake. This morning a friend said to me that she hoped we have a good turnout but that there are many who don't understand what a Meditation and Emotional Healing Circle is all about. I hope this excerpt from Keeping It Simple will help to raise awareness and provide some understanding.
First things first! What is meditation?
A form of prayer, meditation is a respecter of
all religions and an integral part of most.
It is a form of communication with a Higher Power that does not restrict
itself to a particular faith or religion.
Yet meditation does not require the one who meditates to
be affiliated with a religion.
I refer to the wisdom of the ancients. We are taught that
Jesus said, “Go into your closet and pray.”
Buddha said, “Hear the sound of one hand
clapping.” Elevated psychological
insights of meditation can give birth to dviekus
meaning Cleaving to God, particularly
in Jewish mysticism.
When
meditating, using a mantra such as ‘Om’
has a deep spiritual significance. It is
representative of the conscious, unconscious and dream states of the human mind
as well as symbolizing creation and the nature of ‘Brahma’, the Hindu creator-God.
At
its highest level, meditation is the searcher’s way of saying, “Speak Lord, thy servant heareth.”
When
one meditates the practitioner attempts to get beyond the “thinking mind” into a deeper state of awareness. Meditation has been practiced since
antiquity and is a component of many religions but it is also practiced outside
of religious traditions. Your goal may
be one of many possibilities. Through meditation one can achieve a higher state
of consciousness or enlightenment; develop increasing compassion and loving
kindness; receive spiritual inspiration or guidance from God. You may wish to achieve greater focus,
creativity or self-awareness. Another
goal of meditation may be to simply cultivate a more relaxed and peaceful frame
of mind.
Traditional prayer in the western world is our way of
speaking to God.
Meditation is our way of listening to God. It is also our
way of connecting with the divine aspect within; our highest, best selves.
Why do we meditate?
Now that you have some explanation as to what meditation
is, I will discuss why you may want to introduce this experience into your life
and make it an implicit part of your lifestyle?
We must consider
the power of prayer to answer the second question which is why do we meditate?
We
are most accustomed to traditional prayer in the western world however both
forms of prayer are powerful. It has been said that a good communicator will
speak without offending and listen without defending. Meditation is one way of listening to your
highest, most wise self and it is an enlightening way of listening to God.
Meditation is this and much more. It feeds the spirit. It
nourishes body and mind. We are each comprised of body, mind and spirit. We
yearn to be one, whole and complete.
Emotional blocks can get in the way and prevent us from
achieving this goal and if these emotional issues are not dealt with they can
manifest in physical blocks. These
physical blocks or dis-ease can lead
an individual to what is sometimes labeled a spiritual by-pass.
Perhaps you have heard the saying, the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Meditation, in and of itself, will not
heal emotional and physical blocks however it will assist you in identifying
these blockages. And once you have made
this identification you will find yourself at a cross-road where you gain a
keen awareness and a knowing that you have choice.
Most of us are well aware of the physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual aspects of the self. Too
often, we feel the separation between these aspects. We can learn that this separation is not only
unnecessary but unhealthy. A new door
will open and allow you to be unified in body, mind and spirit; whole and
complete.
When
you meditate you can observe your breath, your life force which is sometimes
called prana. Breathe in relaxation and breathe out the
stress and worries of the day as though they had never existed. This exercise
is the foundation of all meditation.
Practicing chaotic breathing will enhance insight and increase
self-awareness; God awareness. Entering
a doorway to conscious living; you will be able to bring the subconscious into
the realm of consciousness.
It
is good to be in touch with your body; to be able to hear the body’s cry for
relaxation, stress reduction and peace.
It is possible, through meditation, to realize that you have choice. You
can choose to take the steps required to meet these urgent needs.
Meditation
is also a way to observe your inner self; a way to discover that you are on
your way to a miracle and that, wonder of wonders, the miracle is you. Doors are opened that you may have thought
were closed to you. And through these
open doors you discover repressed creativity you didn’t know was yours. New
problem-solving abilities; enhanced insight as well as increased perception and
performance are some of the gifts that will come your way.
Working
with light and dark, you are given the opportunity to shine a light on those aspects
of self that lurk in the shadows of your being.
Your fears and losses find avenues of expression. A safe way is discovered to acknowledge and
honour the grief, hurt, guilt and anger feelings that have been long repressed
in the dark basement of the soul.
There are no good or bad emotions. There are simply emotions desiring
recognition, gratitude, transformation and release in a manner which will
enhance the student’s life. Meditation
is a pathway leading to a desire for emotional, spiritual and physical healing.
Through
meditation, as a willing student, you will meet your wounded inner child; that
aspect of your being that survived childhood but still bears the scars and
burdens of not being seen, not being heard and not being honoured for the
wonderful person you truly are. A willing meditation practitioner will begin to
understand that the outward manifestation of poor physical health can be
transformed through understanding the spiritual, emotional blockages that were
formed as necessary defenses in childhood.
There
are many reasons to make meditation a part of your lifestyle. Support, wisdom
and love are there in a heartbeat and through meditation you will learn that you
are never alone. Having said all this, I remind myself to keep it simple. Meditation is a pathway to an overall sense
of well-being; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
***♥
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