What is meditation? This is an important first question to ask yourself

When people ask, what is meditation?, they often think about meditation types or techniques. While this is a useful way to differentiate between various methods, meditation can also be understood as a state of mind. Whatever the method, be it focusing on breath, studying a zen koan, or reciting a mantra, the main objective of a meditation technique or practice is the development of a heightened state of awareness.

This awareness is in stark contrast to the typical mind patterns that tend to be at work in our minds throughout the average day. Eventually, if one commits to a regular meditation practice and has the discipline to practice effectively, a “turning about of the mind” or “enlightenment” is possible. Meditation is about uncovering this enlightened mind that all great religious figures and meditation teachers have taught is found in each of us.

Bringing about this mind and seeing for oneself the ground truth of our existence is ultimately what meditation is about. We cannot gain anything from these methods, because fundamentally there is nothing to be gained. Rather, we can only see into or uncover the truth that is found in each of us and in all things. We may find that throughout our journey,meditation brings many benefits such as increased concentration or job performance, but for those who have dedicated their lives to a meditation, nothing short of enlightenment will satisfy their intense desire for truth.

As one progresses with a meditation practice and we continue to ask ourself - what is meditation? and what is enlightenment?, this desire intensifies and one can find subtle changes happening in his or her life. By bringing about the deepest sense of silence and stillness in our lives, meditation allows us to tap into unknown qualities of creativity, compassion, love and self awareness. It is the only way in which humans can systematically work on themselves to overcome what great teachers have called our “dull” or “delusive” everyday thinking.

As we can see elsewhere on this website and through our own studies, meditation and prayer are fundamental elements in each of our great religious and spiritual traditions. With consistent effort and determination, we can see directly into this universal truth in our own experience and witness its transformative impact on our lives.