Alex Penhaligon, Sunshine Coast QLD.                     

 

Attempting to write an article about meditation is like trying to describe a kaleidoscope. It depends on who is viewing, and on what one sees or values at that moment of one’s lifetime. Also what does one look through?

 

All the history of one’s life experiences, attitudes and concepts, which tend to colour one’s world view.

 

My personal twenty-five year exploration into the experience of myself on less mundane levels, and supporting others in this venture, has been one of an increase in awareness and positive changes to my wellbeing.  As I meditate, the kaleidoscope keeps changing. One can’t meditate without becoming more aware. I am not talking about guided visualizations here, which although equally valid, they have a different role altogether. One might have the view that meditation requires that we stop doing something. This may happen, however, I prefer to approach it from the angle that we just become a neutral observer.

 

If you see a small child clutching a razor blade, do you try to push or cajole him, or do you hold out a sweet and watch the blade fall as he reaches forward? So too we can actively focus on something else in preference to fighting the never ending distractions and intrusions of our thoughts. Throughout many traditions over the centuries there have been prayers and meditative practices as man quests to know another part of himself, or to bring about a state of balance. Woman too, although this is never directly mentioned!! Freedom from intruding thoughts over what we experience, comes about through shifting our focus. Many use mantras or focus on the breath or other tools. As we meditate, the level of stress in our lives is reduced. We may also gain a glimpse of alternative ways of perceiving and experiencing, which may include anything from mild relaxation to the divine.

 

The support of a group of others focussed in the same direction can be useful and nourishing. A supportive teacher may assist the process significantly. Most of us want to make our lives less stressful, and more healthy or relaxed.  It is in meditation where we might experience the above or another reality which may happen to be where the positive or healing energies are to be found. Placing focus for a short time on our soul/spirit/life force may change our life experience if given half a chance and the whole of our attention. As we meditate our mind body and emotions come back into a state of balance as personal control mechanisms dissolve, and that is where the healing can occur.

 

It is true that we may not get around to opening the lid on all this until we get the news of a life threatening experience which compels us to look at the limitations of our lifestyle. Then push comes to shove, and meditation comes knocking on our door. What ever the impetus in our life, it is never too late to start.