No one can deny the increasing levels of stress we are all subjected to in this day and age. In the midst of the chaos and insanity in our outer world, meditation is the key to our inner sanctuary. That there is such a sacred place within, where we can find shelter from the storm, is a secret kept from those who don’t believe it and/or are unwilling to take the time to sit and allow the blessings to come through.
My first reaction to the practice of meditation was to wonder what it was and what it was not. All I knew was that it was an Eastern tradition, not embraced by Christians, except those in monastaries, serving God through prayer, meditation, and service. From my perspective, I saw prayer as talking to God, whereas meditation was listening in the silence, open to Grace. Both seemed relevant.
The goals of meditation are many, but initially mine was to seek a state of inner peace and well-being for healing and renewal. To reach this state of consciousness one must be able to relax the body, quiet the mind, and calm the emotions. This alone would be worthy of achievement.
Two methods are recommended; to learn to breathe deeply and slowly, and to find a mantra that resonates with the soul. A mantra is a sacred word or short phrase that will, with time, patience and persistance, bring the desired results.
My first attempts revealed just how scattered and unfocused my thoughts were. Reining them in was going to be a formidable task. The first mantras I chose didn’t help. Intuitively, I decided to focus on The 23rd Psalm, which I had always loved.
From beginning to end, slowly repeating each line, breathing in its meaning before moving onto the next phrase, had the effect of soothing my mind and emotions. Fairly soon I only had to begin the Psalm to feel calm and relaxed.
If you are one who already finds meditation deeply meaningful, you may or may not have had difficulty in the beginning. However, for me, and I think for many, progress
was/is initially slow. Don’t be discouraged. If you are patient with yourself and persist, you will succeed. Taking time to find this inner sanctuary will give back those deeper aspects of yourself you may not have known existed.
This practice continues to enrich my life on so many levels, opening my mind and heart in ways that prayer, by itself, has not. It brings awareness to areas within me that need healing, expands my view and appreciation for all living things and for our beautiful and endangered planet.
Meditation always brings me back to center, to what is most important in life. Here is where I experience deep compassion, true understanding, and the ability to forgive myself and others. Yet, the most outstanding gift from meditation has been a real sense of an Inner Holy Presence and feeling my connection with this Presence.
Jesus’s statement, “Seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you,” (Luke 12: 31) is a promise that all of God’s gifts await those who seek and find this inner kingdom.
Until next time,
Nita
