Prayer involves cogitation (thinking). To pray is to entreat or implore and is often used as a means of introducing a question, a request, or plea addressed to a deity either, on the behalf of the person praying, or on behalf of of another person, institution or city, country, nation, etc. I do not pray as I do not believe that deities of any kind actually exist; I meditate.
Meditation does not involve cogitation at all. Meditation is the opposite — it’s non-thinking — it’s just being. Meditation does not seek for information or make inquiries. It does not ask that a wish or desire be granted; it does not seek intervention on the mediator’s behalf, or the behalf of another person, institution or city, country, nation, etc.
The meditative state is achieved by stilling of the mind and body, becoming aware of vital stillness, and hearing within that stillness. It is the stillness of being naturally present before you become attached to thoughts and things; before you identify with thought-feeling-reaction.
Here are some ways you can practice meditation every day on your own, whenever you choose. Take a few minutes or as much time as you like.
Blue sky mind
During meditation one turns the light of their consciousness inward instead of always running out after things. Practice means that everything you do, you act from Blue Sky Mind. You don’t run off with your delusions when they arise. You visualize a blue sky and view all thoughts, concerns, attachments and associated emotions as clouds floating through your blue sky and gradually your brain stops generating them.
When “clouds” enter again you remain still and detached returning to Blue Sky Mind, and as you spend more and more time there, eventually that becomes your place of residence. At this point it feels like a true turn-around has occurred, one with entirely different quality of being — just being.
This turn-around occurs when all the things associated with “self” (i.e. the ego) like desire, greed, anger, hate, etc. dissolve. Then the mediator experiences that there is no “self”; there is no distinct being that is separate from the universal stream of pure consciousness.
Why meditate?
Often we feel the need to find some tranquility in the otherwise frenzied experience we define as life. We need to step away — find some peace so we can let go of our daily worries — cleanse them from our beings.
We use meditation to reach a state of peaceful and mindful thought. Like stepping into a forest, meditation will teach you that calmness can surround you and fill your senses. This serenity allows us to leave everything else behind and ease our minds and bodies so that we can take life on again with a fresh and more peaceful approach. — Patsy Grey
Benefits of Meditation
- reduces blood pressure
- relaxes the nervous system
- improves the immune system
- lowers oxygen consumption
- decreases the respiratory rate
- improves the blood circulation
- alleviates headaches and migraines
- reduces the pre-menstrual and menopausal symptoms
- resting in a conscious state of natural being assists generation of peaceful and positive thoughts throughout the day
My meditation practice
I sit to meditate everyday, usually more than once a day, and I also do a walking mediation once each day. In between these times I endeavor to be remain in a state of meditative mindfulness.
Related posts found in this blog:
Meditation Practices
Questions for Readers:
- Do you pray?
- Do you meditate?
- Do you do both?
