Why Meditate?

So we can recognise that we are the ocean, and not just a wave!

I used to write a blog for Peace Revolution, a Thai Organization that holds peace retreats around the world, especially for young people to initiate a movement in self-reflection and meditation.

I had won a scholarship and was invited to spend two weeks in the north of Thailand. Writing for them, was a way to thank them.

I wrote only a few posts. But I am trying to explore the same concepts again. I will be posting the posts here, possibly with more edits and additions.

Let the light within shine!

Why Meditate?

So we can recognize that we are the ocean, and not just a wave.

There is enough material on how and why to meditate on the internet.  

So I cannot offer anything new. But maybe, I can offer an understanding of connections between how things work.

Navua, Fiji

When we meditate, we begin to feel a calm. Sitting in one place, focusing on our breath, and not entertaining our thoughts, brings us in the present moment.

As our muscles relax, and our thoughts slow down, we begin to sense a presence that is us-- that emanates every part of our being, and yet is not restricted to our body. 

This is what they call our larger self.

Not the name we know ourselves by, not the bodies that we live in, not the identity that our culture has created for us or we have taken on without thinking.

Experiencing our larger self we become aware both of our individuality and yet, connectedness to others. In this recognition, we are a part of our purpose on the earth, not the other way around.

We are here to contribute, to learn, to grow, to evolve. We are aware that nothing can be achieved alone.  So, while we honor our individuality, we know that the ultimate glory is to realize that we are the ocean.

Each one of us.

There is joy in that unity, there is also fun and drama in the clash.

We get an outsider’s perspective, while still being an insider.

When we step into our larger self, as a result of learning to sit down, and do (or think) nothing, smaller things, such as who was unkind to us, who did not pay attention to us, who did not respond to our emails, seem much too small to pay attention to.

Real life problems such as health and family issues do not vanish, but we, having calmed our minds, are able to deal with them with grace, and miraculously – maybe just as as a result of being able to meditate – to find the strength to move past obstacles and transform our lives.

Even getting to this stage where our thoughts slow down can take weeks, may be months of practice. But it must begin with creating a space for ourselves.

Technology can help. Use apps and alarms. Twenty minutes, twice a day, once before noon, once afternoon, is the recommended time to begin seeing a difference in our disposition. 

Here is a link to free 6-week meditation program by Peace Revolution, for all those who are interested.

If you cannot find a stretch of time, use the Pomodoro method, often used by productivity gurus. Set an hourly alarm.Take a minute after every hour to be grateful for things you enjoy, send a text to a loved one, thank your body for being the vehicle for your energy, and definitely thank the Sun, for giving life to this planet.

May the light within you, shine brighter!