I know that many of you may have misconceptions about meditation. This word alone conjures up images of a guru chanting from the top of a mountain or a monk sitting in a sacred temple, surrounded by incense smoke floating in the air. Some people believe that meditation is as simple as closing one’s eyes and going into a trance, or at the most basic level, that you only need to let your mind go totally blank to be able to enter a meditative state.
During these uncertain times when many of us are having trouble sleeping as our minds race over the current headlines, let’s take a closer look at this ancient method of stillness and guidance of the soul.
Meditation is merely a state of being, in which your active mind slows down. It can bring you to a place where you can actually silence your mental chatter, and in doing so, become increasingly aware of the subtle, shifting energies within you. It may seem impossible, but you can actually train yourself to watch your thoughts come into your mind and go right out again, much like flowing water. Soon these same thoughts will lose their power to influence your conscious mind.
To develop your psychic/intuitive guidance system, it’s essential that you learn to enter and feel comfortable with the silence within—meditation is a vital part of the process. Now it’s fine to read about this practice, but to put it simply, you just have to do it!
It’s possible to enter into a state of meditation when you consciously focus your mind on a single point. Some people find that using a mandala (those beautiful visual symbols) is helpful, while others visualize images such as a flower, a beautiful landscape scene or their spiritual guide. Still others prefer to continually chant, using a single word or sound.
Whatever method you choose, with steady practice and commitment, you’ll ultimately train your mind to become calm, to be still, which will foster a sense of well-being that can have tangible benefits in all areas of your life.