What is meditation?

Excerpt from World Peace Yoga: Yoga for People Who Breathe by Anna Ferguson

“The cultivation of intuitive calmness requires unfoldment of the inner life. When developed sufficiently, intuition brings immediate comprehension of truth. You can have this marvelous realization. Meditation is the way.” —Paramahansa Yogananda

Let’s be honest: it is not the “monkey mind” that we deal with during meditation, it is the “scattered human mind,” and the “bull shit” in our heads is “human shit.” Using language like this is degrading to both monkeys and bulls. We humans are responsible for our scattered thoughts and lack of peace, and we alone may address these issues.

The way in which you choose to meditate is a matter of personal preference. Whether you are seated, lying down, walking, or moving in another way, attempt to stay as comfortable as possible during your meditation. Allow your body to find the path of least resistance and maintain a position filled with contentment.

There are many ways—and no right or wrong way—to practice meditation. Sitting for hours at a time with your spine upright and your legs in a lotus position is not required to reach “enlightenment,” or the state of equanimity. The only requirement for a beneficial meditation practice is your sincere, elevated intention, and your dedication to a consistent practice.

That said, I do recommend a seated meditation practice as a starting point for taking your meditation into other forms and then into everyday life. Those who are new to meditation practice are likely to fall asleep while lying down; sitting upright keeps the body alert and awake, which enables the mind to focus. In addition, a seated upright position energetically draws your prana, or life force energy, upward—from the base of your spine through the top of your head. This assists with balancing the chakras, or energy centers throughout your body. 

Ultimately, meditation is a daily practice. No matter what you are doing—getting up in the morning, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, preparing breakfast, driving to your job, working, talking with others, checking your cell phone, or even sleeping—you may act in a meditative state, with an elevated intention or dedication. And, just like anything else, this requires practice, focus, and sincerity.

Before you practice any form of meditation, let go of your attachment to expectations as to what should happen during your practice. Simply “be” in the present moment of your meditation. Whatever happens is meant to happen within that time and place. I also suggest beginning and ending your seated meditation practice with a simple ritual, such as chanting Om. Personally, I like to begin and end my meditation practice the same way, because it creates continuity and gives me a feeling of “coming full circle.” This approach also reminds me that I have the ability to exist in a meditative, equanimous state at all times.    

Please watch/listen in on the video “What is Meditation?” with Julie Kirkpatrick.