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Many people troubled by the stresses of modern life and disillusioned
by materialism have turned to age-old methods of meditation to
help them cope with anxiety and seek a deeper understanding of
life. The concept is elusive to many of us. Meditation is not
a logical process of thinking about a problem and solving it,
as popular usage suggest; nor is it daydreaming, another common
misperception.
To serious practitioners, mediation is mental exercise aimed
at training the mind itself. Buddhists, who have used meditation
for centuries to find inner peace, have an apt saying “An
untrained mind is like a drunken monkey stung by a bee.”
Meditation takes many forms, but four elements are common to
most systems.
- First, one must find a quiet environment, in order to avoid mundane
distractions.
- Second, a formal posture, usually a comfortably erect sitting
position that keeps you relaxed yet alert.
- Third, an object to focus upon. Mediation has been defined as
anything “that keeps the attention pleasantly anchored in
the present moment”. You may focus on an object, or on a
sound, word, or phrase, repeated either silently or aloud. Zen
monks often ponder an unanswerable question, such as “What
is the sound of one hand clapping?” Known as koan, this
is not a test of logic but a device to free your from the limits
of rational thought. Your focus may also be on an action or on
your own breathing.
- The forth element is a passive, receptive attitude. Concentration
is not forced; if your mind wanders, you simple remind yourself
com back into focus.
Saint Francis of Assisi compared the wayward
thoughts that distracted Christian monks during mediation to birds
flying about in the air. You can't suppress them entirely,
he said buy you can calmly watch them fly by without becoming
involved with them and letting them "nest in your hair".
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