Don Weyant | Meditation Teacher | Bachelor of Metaphysical Science, B. Msc.

Meditation FAQ's You Must Know...

 
What Is Meditation? 

The dictionary defines meditation as “continued or extended thought; reflection; contemplation.” It is not thinking. It is the vehicle that connects us both with our true Self and with that which is beyond yourself. Meditation is the thing that nourishes our spirit. It is the fuel for our for our spiritual growth and the key to our ascent. Simply put, it is our connection with the Divine.

Where did meditation come from?

At its roots, mediation can be traced back to ancient times. Researchers speculate that even primitive societies may have discovered altered states of consciousness and meditative states while staring into the flames of their campfires. Meditation techniques can be found in Indian scriptures dated at five thousand years old. Over thousands of years, meditation evolved into different structured practices and styles, spreading across Asia, its continent of origin. It was only in the 1960s and 70s that meditation became popular in the West. From that point, many variations have spread across the globe.

What are the benefits of meditation in my daily life?

The benefits gained from meditation include a healthy distancing from the stressful things of life and a trust in that forces that shape your everyday existence. Life can be very demanding. It is important to have both the ways and means to cope. It’s easy to get into a stressful and irritable mood thinking about the pressures of work and family life. There is also a risk of losing focus on all the good things of life. Meditation helps you to witness that which is stressful. It helps you to see things clearly, as if from a distance.

Can Meditation help manage Stress and Anxiety?

Countless medical studies have proven that meditation is very beneficial for stress and anxiety. Physically, it lowers blood pressure and heart rate and gives you an awareness of your body. Mentally, it gives respite from daunting concerns. Putting distance between you and your problems often allows you to view situations with greater perspective. This can provide solutions that weren’t previously apparent. Emotionally, meditation gives you a means to connect with your feelings and thoughts and recognize the truth through the confusion. It will not help everybody all of the time, but compared to or used in conjunction with pharmaceutical medications it is definitely an avenue worth exploring.

Speak with your healthcare practitioner to discuss your specific circumstances.

How is meditation different from relaxation, thinking, concentration or self-hypnosis?

Meditation is indeed different from all these techniques because it not only relaxes us, not only enriches us with peace, joy, and optimism, but it actually transforms a human being, gradually and deeply, into a beautiful and happy individual. This happens without great effort, thought or concentration.

What is the best time of day to meditate?

At sunrise, early in the morning is usually the ideal time to meditate. At that time, one is able to feel the silence within in a complete symphony with nature. It especially works if the person feels well rested after a good, normal sleep. The evening is also a time of the day when we can easily bring ourselves into meditation. In the morning, we feel the need to start our daily routine in a comfortable way. In the evening, we want to find relaxation after having completed our busy day. The exact best time to meditate depends on our lifestyle, our job and the various tasks we are dedicated to every day.

What if I fall asleep during the meditation?

If you fall asleep during a Guided Meditation your subconscious mind is still awake. It is always alert and listening to what is happening around you, and will automatically receive the information. If the meditation is encouraging you to be happier and healthier, your subconscious mind will start to generate the health and healing messages that were in the meditation to reduce your everyday stress, even though you are not conscious of it.

Should I meditate with my eyes open or with my eyes closed?

Basically, it is more pleasant and useful to meditate with your eyes closed. In this way, your perception of your inner being can be more intense. However, in case you have some unusual sensations, such as your inner body turning around or the seeing of colors, it is highly advisable to open your eyes. These phenomena mean you are either too much on the right or left side and not in the center. A quality meditation is only possible in the central channel.

How long should my meditation sessions last?

It is good to give ourselves the time we need to focus and to find that special silence inside. To this end, it is generally best to meditate no less than fifteen minutes. Often the full time of the meditation will not have the same quality or depth, especially if we have never tried meditating before, therefore fifteen minutes of quality meditation is the goal. In order to achieve a truly meditative state, it is highly recommended to accept and forgive the thoughts which may interfere. Then the real meditation will take place and you will be able to enjoy.

Where should I meditate?

When you fill a space with artistic pieces, you create a beautiful room and you feel delighted each time you step into it. Similarly, when you keep a regular place for your daily meditation, you build a conducive atmosphere that eases you into a meditative mood. While there is no strict rule about where to meditate, keeping an assigned meditation area in your home is ideal. Also, attending a group meditation at a meditation or yoga center will strengthen your state of silence. As you grow in meditation, you will find yourself at peace no matter where you are.

Do I have to sit cross-legged?

While sitting cross-legged on the floor for meditation is good, it is not the only way to do it. You do not have to sit cross-legged. Sitting on a chair is fine. Remember that you must be comfortable in the way that you are sitting, otherwise, one can get easily distracted and not be able to go into a meditative state. The most important objective of your posture is that your spinal cord should be fairly straight.

Can people get by without a teacher?

With meditation, you can be your own teacher. The meditation unlocks the knowledge which is within each of us. You will know what is right and what is wrong. You feel what techniques to try and which to avoid. But, at the same time, you will always benefit greatly from the experience of others. Through the group meditation and contact with those who practice meditation, your growth can be accelerated tenfold. We grow through collectivity, humility, and surrender.

Can anything bad happen during Meditation?

When you are meditating, you are sitting with the intent to go on an inward journey. Relaxation is achieved as you witness, and then let go of or release the stresses and the strains of the day. Calming the mind allows the body to enter a refreshing and rejuvenating state of being. With this simple intent, you are not calling in energies that are strange; you are not trying to connect with beings that have passed into other realms of understanding. No other-worldly entities can affect you.
Meditation is a safe inward journey of peaceful discovery and relaxation.

Should I use music while meditating?

The distractions of day-to-day life make maintaining our attention extremely difficult. Music is an aid to meditation. While listening to gentle music, we observe a positive shift in our attention. The attention that was involved in worries and problems now gets subtler and steadier. Meditation thus becomes spontaneous and effortless. Moreover, the ragas and notes of the Indian classical music have been designed to stimulate the subtle energy system within us. By just listening, you can feel an increased flow of vibrations which can take you effortlessly into a deeper spiritual state.

What’s a mantra and do I need one?

The word “mantra” is derived from the root word “man” meaning to think or to meditate. A mantra is that which is uttered in meditation. It is the speaking of these vibrations into specific sounds, which have a direct effect on the inner being. When a realized soul utters a mantra, he or she mediates the spiritual energy for the specific purpose for which the mantra is intended. Mantras are most effective whilst sitting in meditation. During meditation, when a problem or a blockage is found in a particularly subtle energy center, mantras can be used to clear them out and achieve the state of thoughtless awareness where a person’s spiritual nature begins to manifest spontaneously.

Can I learn to meditate from a book/DVD?

You can learn meditation from a book or a DVD, but you have to remember that the book or DVD can only take you up to a point. If you want to grow deeper in your meditation, you will experience more growth by attending a meditation class. The advantage of a class is hands-on advice from instructors and immediate answers to your personal questions.

What is Guided Meditation?

Guided Meditation is a simple form of meditation that everyone can do easily and effectively. Just as an adult or a teacher reads a story to a child, the words of the guide entertain your logical mind and lead your imagination to a place that provides benefit. Each guided meditation assists your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects.

The guide starts the meditation by relaxing your state of being. This is usually achieved by focusing your thoughts on your breath and scanning your body for tense muscles and areas holding stress. With just a little practice you can very quickly achieve a very relaxed state of being. The guide then takes you on a journey in your imagination. This is the easiest form of meditation as the mind has less chance to wander onto real-world thoughts of chores, work, and loved ones.

Indian Yogis and Tibetan Buddhists spend a lifetime training to sit in silence, but for the rest of us who have to schedule relaxation into our busy lives; Guided Meditation is the easiest and most practical way to reap the benefits. 

How is Guided Meditation different to other forms?

Meditation is an ancient practice that has existed in many forms. It is not right to generalize and say anyone form is better or worse than another. The best form of meditation is unique to the individual. It is fair to say most have a similar intent; to get the mind away from ‘thinking’ into a deeper state of simultaneous relaxation and awareness.

Guided Meditation uses words to control the proceedings. It is just like someone reading you a story. There is a beginning, middle and end and you can choose a topic that draws your interest. Other forms of meditation repeatedly chant a mantra or prayer, while others strive for the complete silence of thought. Some focus purely on the breath or focus on objects such as a candle flame.
All list similar goals and benefits such as achievement of a higher state of consciousness, greater focus and perspective, developed creativity and self-awareness, and a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind. It is a recognized component of many religions but also practiced for spiritual growth and practical purposes.

Why is Guided Meditation good for beginners?

The words and story in a Guided Meditation entertains your mind, allowing you to imagine a reality different to the one that you live each and every day. While consumed by the imagery there is less need for logical and progressive thought. This allows the mind to relax – to let go of conscious control. In this state, you can refresh your set of operating principals.

After the meditation, you will be less stressed, without the high levels of thought and memory activity that cloud your judgment and perspective. Your thoughts and actions will have less attachment to the emotional rollercoaster of your average day, allowing you to hear your true inner voice, and live more intuitively as you become more spiritually aware.

Guided Meditation is great for those new to meditation because the benefits can be achieved without strict practice. Guided Meditation is easy. From the very beginning, you will start to evolve in an emotional way, in a personal way, and you will start to evolve as a spiritual being as well.

What do I need to get started?

To get started with meditation, you need to find a quiet place where you can meditate. You will also need a small table on which you put a lit candle and a picture of a spiritual guru or symbol. The elements are used to help us in our meditation. The candle carries the fire which relieves us of our problems. The picture of a spiritual guru or symbol is also integral to our meditation. It emits vibrations which the Kundalini recognizes and so it becomes easier for us to meditate. If you choose to sit on the ground, you may need a mat. If you prefer to sit in a chair, make sure that it is comfortable. The key idea is to try to make your surrounding relaxing so that you can meditate peacefully.

What will happen when I meditate?

When you meditate the most fundamental happening will be that you will feel the cool breeze or vibration at the top of your head – or at least on your hands. Some hot or cool sensation might also be felt. The most amazing part of meditation is that you will be in a thoughtless state, which means peace without thought. In this state, you enjoy the present and, through everyday meditation, you will see your worries about the past and future will be reduced. You will become more efficient, alert and healthy as the seven chakras are cleaned and nourished – the result of daily meditation.

Can Meditation develop my Psychic Abilities?

You could say, ‘Meditation is the Best way to develop Psychic Abilities and Spiritual Connection.’ With regular practice, meditation calms the busy mind and centers your energy in your heart throughout your day. It removes us from our logical lives and connects us with our intuition. When the needless chatter of your mind is quiet, it gives better opportunity to hear the guidance of your higher self.

What is an Out-Of-Body experience?

We have a conscious awareness that we are a in a 3-Dimensional being. We are looking out of our eyes, we are listening, we are aware of what is going on around us. We have peripheral vision and hearing to give us a perspective of the space around us. We use our physical senses to find our place. When we start to go deeply into meditation, our awareness is able to add another dimension to what we usually have – and that is looking down on our body. It’s as if we are projecting our awareness outside of our physical body. It is sometimes possible to clearly see yourself sitting in a chair or lying in bed. Some people say that it happens to them when they are dreaming, or even that they could see themselves on the operating table while under anesthetic. An Out of body experience is having your awareness somewhere other than centered within your physical body.

It is common for psychics, healers and mystics for example, to use out of body experiences when trying to track someone who is lost. Out of body experiences are also frequently encountered during deep hypnosis, where one is released from the physical body and the now, and is able to move into another dimension of awareness.

Do I have to make my mind blank?

This is perhaps the biggest obstacle for the human mind: to stop thinking. To make the mind go blank is to tell the thoughts to go away. It is to put the brain out of business. You need only to forgive the thoughts for bothering you and to tell them, “We will deal with this later.” To attain thoughtless awareness is the goal of meditation. To switch off the mind is to surrender. You are saying “I am not doing this.”

Do I have to concentrate?

You do not need to concentrate while meditating, so much as you need to purify your attention. If you find yourself having difficulty focusing your attention on pure things, such as being connected with God, then you may need to utilize other techniques to help slow down your thoughts. Practicing forgiveness is one way to purify one’s attention. Another way is to raise your attention towards the last energy center at the top of the head. When you notice your thoughts drifting during meditation, simply bring your attention back to your breath and say in your heart, “I forgive everyone and I forgive myself.”

Is there anything difficult about meditation?

The only generally known difficulty about meditation is how to get into the meditative state, how to get rid of annoying thoughts. Some techniques, such as forgiving everyone and oneself or watching the thoughts flow and not following them, can be very helpful. Another good working method is to listen to meditative music (such as Indian classical ragas). But when you hear the music, listen not through the ear, but actually by way of the heart chakra. Self-discipline makes meditation easier. The routine of twice-daily meditation in itself makes meditation easier with each passing day.

Can children meditate?

Yes, children can meditate. Actually, they are the best candidates for meditation because they have much less conditioning and problems that may prevent others from relaxing. Children are able to go “into” meditation quicker for this reason.

Will I need to make lifestyle changes?

No lifestyle changes are necessary with meditation, unless they happen naturally without your effort. The lifestyle adjusts itself to the real needs of our body and spirit, making our life truly comfortable and easy. You will find with time that unwanted things just fall away.

How do I learn to meditate?

The best way to learn meditation is to do it. You might say it is on-the-job training – learning by doing. It is like learning to walk. Hearing others describe it or observing their footsteps does little to accomplish the task. Meditation is something we all know how to do. It is inside us like breathing or sleeping or walking. If you have the desire to be peaceful, to be centered and silent and to be in the present, you can meditate. You will be in mediation before you have time to think about it. It is your desire that is the key.

Here's a great collection of inspirational quotes - to help you in your life...

"It is confidence in our bodies, minds, and spirits that allows us to keep looking for new adventures, new directions to grow in, and new lessons to learn—which is what life is all about." —Oprah Winfrey

"All things that truly matter—beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner-peace—arise from beyond the mind." —Eckhart Tolle

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." —Maya Angelou

"As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world . . . as in being able to remake ourselves."
—Mahatma Gandhi  

"You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one; each day brings a miracle of its own. It's just a matter of paying attention to this miracle." —Paulo Coehlo

"We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world." —Marianne Williamson

"It is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the doing. It is not how much we give, but how much love is put in the giving." —Mother Teresa

"Every thought you produce, anything you say, any action you do, it bears your signature." —Thich Nhat Hanh

"An integral being knows without going, sees without looking, and accomplishes without doing." —Lao Tzu

"In the universe, there is an immeasurable, indescribable force which shaman call intent, and absolutely everything that exists in the entire cosmos is attached to intent by a connecting link." —Carlos Castaneda

"We can only be said to be truly alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." —Thornton Wilder

"Everybody can be great . . . because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love." —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has a purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from." —Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude." —Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." —Benjamin Franklin

"There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard." —Sun Tzu

"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it." —Rumi

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