THE CONCEPT OF MEDITATION

What meditation technique suits one person, may not necessarily suit another. There are, in fact, many misconceptions about meditation and what it is. Meditation is not simply a means of emptying the mind, thinking of nothing at all, and relaxing. For one thing, one cannot empty the mind completely and think of nothing. However, the mind can be trained to focus on one thing, to exclude everything else. This is meditation. It is a mental exercise, designed to train the mind to be more focused and agile. Meditation is the tool of all great minds, and is the means by which one can elevate the consciousness to achieve an almost trance-like state. Contrary to what a lot of spiritualists believe, meditation is NOT a means of communicating with the discarnate realms, or to connect with so-called guides or guardian angels. As I have previously said, meditation is a means of training the mind to be more focused. It is a programme consisting of a series of mental disciplines, primarily to cultivate the mind's efficiency. This can only be achieved through meditation and various mental exercises.

Meditation usually consists of three stages:

STAGE ONE - CONTEMPLATION: Sitting quietly, and allowing the mind to explore the possibilities of meditation, and what you are endeavouring to achieve as a result of it.

STAGE TWO - CONCENTRATION: Sitting quietly and focusing the attention on an object of beauty, such as a flower or a crystal. The most effective object of scrying is the flame of a candle. Gaze at the candle without blinking. Do not move the gaze even for a moment. When the eyes begin to tear, close them and place the palms of your hands over your eyes, applying a little pressure to the eyeballs. Allow the after-image to come into your mind's eyes; retain the image for as long as you can, and when it becomes fragmented and dissolves completely, open your eyes and return your gaze to the flame, repeating the exercise. In fact, to achieve the desired results, repeat this exercise a few times a day.

STAGE THREE - MEDITATION: This can take many forms, but you must not allow it to become a labour, as this merely defeats the object of the whole exercise. Begin your meditation with some slow, rhythmical breathing, making sure that the inhalations and exhalations are evenly spaced. This makes the mind quiet, a prerequisite for meditation. Step one) Visualise a white ball of intense white light, in the centre of which see a black dot. Whilst allowing the white ball of light to remain in the mind, focus the attention on the black dot. Step two) Imagine the black dot spreading, like ink in water, until the ball of intense white light is covered completely. Now, see a black ball, in the centre of which, there is a pinpoint of intense white light. Whilst being totally aware of the black ball, focus the attention on the pinpoint of intense white light. Step three) Now, as before, allow the white pinpoint of light to gradually spread until the black ball is covered completely. Once again see a ball of intense white light, in the centre of which there is a black dot. Focus on the dot and repeat the exercise. It is important to practise the exercise when you are not tired and sure you will not be disturbed. Spend ten minutes on the exercise and no longer. This meditation promotes calmness and serenity and encourages the mind to be more focused.

PRANAYAMA
I have said elsewhere that Prana is the name used in eastern traditions to designate all universal energy. It is the principle responsible for the integration of the cells into a whole. In other words, it holds everything together. When Prana leaves the body through the natural process of time, we die and then disintegrate. By increasing the body's intake of Prana, the health improves and the mind becomes as clear as a mountain stream. As the body's reserves of Prana are increased, so the individual chakras are infused, thus encouraging the release of one's full psychic potential.

Place your fingers on your pulse and count with each heartbeat to six. 1,2,3,4,5,6 and so on. We base the rhythmic time upon a unit corresponding with the beat of the heart. It is important to know one's heart rhythm, and to synchronise the breathing with the rhythm of the heart. The units of inhalation and exhalation should always be the same; whilst the units of retention and between breaths should be one half the number of inhalations and exhalations. In this case we should breathe in to the count of six heartbeats, hold the breath for the count of three, breathe out to the count of six, and hold the breath for the count of three, and so on. Repeat the exercise for no longer than five minutes. Should you suffer from Asthma or any other respiratory illness, DO NOT over do it, as this may cause hyperventolation. In any case, do not over use or abuse the exercise. The advantages of this method of breathing are invaluable.