stepping into freedom...
meditation on yoga detox retreat
Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It's
a way of entering into the quiet that's already there
- buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day - Deepak Chopra
- buried under the 50,000 thoughts the average person thinks every day - Deepak Chopra
meditation is the settling of the mind into silence
By day I praised you, and never knew it.
By night I stayed with you, and never knew it.
I always thought that I was me - but no,
I was you and never knew it.
(Translation of Rumi by the Shahram Shiva)
Meditation is not separate from Yoga, but is an important component of a
regular Yoga practice. The body awareness developed through Yoga
postures (asana) and the mindfulness of action lend themselves to a
quieter and more focused mind. This in turn lends itself to meditation.
Meditation is an experience that cannot be described, just as colours cannot be described to a blind man, or the taste of an apple cannot be described to one who has never tasted an apple.
Not only can meditation not be described, it cannot be taught. You cannot teach a blind man to see colours, or someone to taste an apple. It has to be experienced to be known. It is possible however, to suggest some steps that could possibly lead one to the experience... It is the same as trying to teach someone to sleep. Sleep happens on its own, but by turning down the lights, by lying down on a comfortable bed with a warm cover etc. we encourage the likelihood of the experience of sleep.
Our ordinary, every day experiences are limited by Time, Space and Causation. Our normal, limited awareness and understanding do not transcend these bounds of Time, Space and Causation. This finite experience, which is measured in terms of past, present and future, cannot be transcendental.
With the clear insight gained from meditation, we come to realise (not intellectually, but experientialy) that concepts of time are illusory - they have no permanence: the present, immeasurably small and fleeting, can never be grasped; past and future are non-existent in the present. We realise that we live an illusion!
The meditative state transcends all such limitations and illusions. In meditation there is neither past nor future, but only the consciousness of "I am" in the eternal NOW. It is only possible when all mental modifications and activity are stilled.
The beauty of a retreat, is that it encourages the mental modifications and activity (busy-ness of the mind) to quieten down and be still.
Even just half an hour of meditation daily enables you to face life with peace and spiritual strength. Divine energy freely flows to you during meditation, and exerts a benign influence on the mind, nerves, sense organs and body. It opens the door to intuitive knowledge and realms of eternal bliss. The mind becomes calm and steady.
Be still and know that I am God
Meditation is an experience that cannot be described, just as colours cannot be described to a blind man, or the taste of an apple cannot be described to one who has never tasted an apple.
Not only can meditation not be described, it cannot be taught. You cannot teach a blind man to see colours, or someone to taste an apple. It has to be experienced to be known. It is possible however, to suggest some steps that could possibly lead one to the experience... It is the same as trying to teach someone to sleep. Sleep happens on its own, but by turning down the lights, by lying down on a comfortable bed with a warm cover etc. we encourage the likelihood of the experience of sleep.
Our ordinary, every day experiences are limited by Time, Space and Causation. Our normal, limited awareness and understanding do not transcend these bounds of Time, Space and Causation. This finite experience, which is measured in terms of past, present and future, cannot be transcendental.
With the clear insight gained from meditation, we come to realise (not intellectually, but experientialy) that concepts of time are illusory - they have no permanence: the present, immeasurably small and fleeting, can never be grasped; past and future are non-existent in the present. We realise that we live an illusion!
The meditative state transcends all such limitations and illusions. In meditation there is neither past nor future, but only the consciousness of "I am" in the eternal NOW. It is only possible when all mental modifications and activity are stilled.
The beauty of a retreat, is that it encourages the mental modifications and activity (busy-ness of the mind) to quieten down and be still.
Even just half an hour of meditation daily enables you to face life with peace and spiritual strength. Divine energy freely flows to you during meditation, and exerts a benign influence on the mind, nerves, sense organs and body. It opens the door to intuitive knowledge and realms of eternal bliss. The mind becomes calm and steady.
Be still and know that I am God
