There is definitely Bliss in meditation.
I've been practicing yoga for 12 years and have not had a steady meditation practice. It's really not for everyone – just like yoga is not for everyone – but I do appreciate the practice and the benefits derived from even the smallest effort. And because I know the mind/body connection is so strong, I believe the better we understand ourselves through practices like meditation and yoga, the healthier and happier we will be.
Today I attended a workshop taught by my friend, teacher and colleague Paulette Bodeman. She is a "Meditation Master" and has studied with world-reknown scholars and Buddhist meditation masters for over 20 years.
I loved her approach to teaching meditation. She totally took the mystery out of it and simplified it for beginners and even regular practitioners. Here were 3 takeaways from our workshop that lasted 2.5 hours this beautiful Saturday afternoon.
1) Meditation has stages. The first stage is stabilizing the body and preparing it to be receptive and ready for quieting the mind. We do a little body scan and use the breath to sweep the body and make room for the sacred space.
The second stage is allowing thoughts to enter and exit without judgement. Here our teacher suggested to be curious to what's entering and whatever comes up, be inquisitive. Ask, "Is this true?". Then provide an answer if you can and let it go. You can allow thoughts to roll by as if on a cloud that is moving swiftly by.
The third stage is the Pause or the Gap between the thoughts and the breath. Within these gaps exists the void of possiblity. The ability to feel silence and a little bit of nothingness.
The fourth stage is Samadhi, or absorption into the Absolute. This is where enlightenment from the divine and infinite space unites the heart and the mind and bliss is found.
2) There are many techniques to practicing meditation. They range from simple breathing exercises, to creative visualization to using mantra and more. We used a few different techniques today to soften the space between the ears. It was very relaxing and the time went very quickly. We did 2 full meditations that were very different and each were about 30 minutes in length. For some, the meditation flew by.
3) There is no right and wrong way to practice meditation. There are many different philosophies and belief systems in the world and we need to be mindful that not every method works well for every person. For example, one method might teach that you should move beyond bodily discomfort or pain while in meditation so your mind can be more in control over your body.
And another would say that it's okay to move your body to be more comfortable. Some people have a real hard time concentrating when dealing with discomfort. I am one of those. It hurts my hips to sit cross legged or in easy pose for any length of time. Therefore, I will often sit on the couch with my legs resting on the couch and feet towards the floor. Or, I might lie down on a bolster and recline during my meditation time.
Another thing I discovered was how vast the study of meditation is and how much information is out on the subject. Plus, research is proving not only the benefits of a regular meditation practice but how meditation literally changes brain matter – something called neuroplasticity. It's astounding and fascinating to know that we can affect change (like alchemy) just by our thinking and actions to make time for controling the fluctuations of the mind.
I really enjoyed this workshop and I will probably attend more. I now realize there is so much to learn and as I continue to teach yoga through the years, I can pass this on to my students as well.