Peaceful Minds

What Is Meditation?

Meditation has been described as the “space between thoughts”. It is a state of pure perception or total awareness which is quite distinct from thinking about something in an intellectual manner.

It is a state of consciousness that we all experience at times without being aware of it. In fact, it is our most natural state of consciousness but we are usually too busy to remember it. It is a state of being, rather than one of doing, or thinking, or sleeping.

In English, the word “meditation” is rather ambiguous, because it refers to an inner experience of silence where there’s very little thinking, and it is also commonly used to describe the various processes that eventually lead to this state of inner stillness. And those processes all initially involve some mental and/or physical activity.

In my course, we will use the term ‘meditation’ as referring to all aspects of the practice of meditating: this includes the various processes you’ll learn, as well as the inner experience of yourself you might have.

.................................................................................................................................

Is Meditation The Same As Thinking?

No. When we think, we usually are in the higher state of brain wave consciousness and the stream of thoughts can be random and scattered, hence we cannot control them. The faster our electrical brain wave patterns, the more agitated we can become. At that level of consciousness, we always place a space between ourselves and the object of our thinking. We are separate from it.

In meditation we intend to experience the nature of the object itself. Our goal is to become one with the object of our contemplation. So we focus the thought flow by fixing the mind on a single object (e.g. the breath, a candle, a mantra etc.), which becomes our meditation focus. It is a bit like the principle of calming a hyperactive or upset child by providing a toy. This process gently slows the brain down into a more productive state of brain wave consciousness.

Meditation is about observing rather than thinking.

.................................................................................................................................

Is There Only One Way To Meditate?

No. There are hundreds of different ways to meditate. Some methods are simple and some can be more complicated. I believe that simplicity works best so I prefer to teach simple, practical ways which appeal to a wide range of minds.

Not all minds are alike, therefore it is important for the meditator to experience different ways to meditate to find out which method resonates the best for them.

An experienced meditator will be able to bring awareness to every moment, and therefore turn any action into a meditation.

.................................................................................................................................

So What's It Like To Be In A Meditative State?

Surprisingly, we all actually know already what it is like to be in this state as the experience of meditation can take many forms. It is how we are just before falling asleep, or just before being really awake. It is how we are when we are very still inside, at peace with ourselves and the world. There is no little voice telling us what we should have done, how terrible such and such is, what might go wrong, what needs to be done and so on and so forth. It is like watching a sunset, or a fire, and being fully present to the beauty of the moment, at the exclusion of other thoughts. It is a state of simply being, without any urge to do anything.

It is about being so mindful that we fully experience ourselves and/or aspects of our life in the here and now, without jumping to the past or the future. It is being aware of what goes on without judgements.

We all experience meditative states but we keep forgetting this state, time and time again. This is why the practice of meditation is important. It helps us to keep remembering so we bring ourselves back to this peaceful state, time and time again.

After a while, with practice and discipline, the processes dissolve and are replaced by a wonderful inner experience of calmness and silence. Pure knowing emerges into consciousness. Joy and love radiate both within and externally. Self-healing happens. New neural pathways are created. A great sense of well-being is commonly experienced, a well-being that lasts way past the time allocated for meditation. Other experiences and/or phenomena may occur.

.................................................................................................................................

What Are The Practical Benefits Of Meditation?

There are several different benefits to meditation.

Meditation involves deep physical relaxation and the creation of a quite different mental state. It allows us to step outside the pressures of work, home and relationships. For a short time we are able to leave the worries of the day elsewhere. And it is interesting to note that, little by little, our perception of what might be worrisome, also changes.

If meditation is practised regularly, a new and quite different inner perspective begins to establish itself. The outside pressures may not change but our reaction to them shifts. By moving more and more out of our mind and into a higher state of being where we begin to perceive ourselves and others in a more loving and kind light. This shift marks a very important step in our mental and emotional well-being and gives us a deeper sense of connection with everyone and everything around us and allows us to let go of negative mind states more.

Meditation is a powerful way of changing our attitudes which can help ourselves enormously by creating a new way of reacting to life’s stresses and, which in turn has a positive effect on our physical health.

As we meditate, we experience interesting changes: the mind is alert yet the body is relaxed. Respiration alters; it becomes slower, deeper and more rhythmic. The pulse rate tends to slow and muscular activity decreases. Oxygen is used at a lowered rate and carbon dioxide is produced at a lower rate also. The lactate concentration in the blood, which is closely linked to anxiety levels, decreases sharply during meditation.

Other benefits to Meditation include:

 More energy, less anxiety

 Better sleep, less worries

 Peace of mind, less fatigue

 Improved health, less tension

 More harmonious relationships at home and at work

.................................................................................................................................

What About The Spiritual Aspect Of Meditation?

Meditation allows our consciousness to link with the Higher Self and the spiritual Source. It is a tool to gain more self-awareness of who we really are, beyond the personality (our thoughts/beliefs/attitudes) and beyond the feelings experienced through the body. The stillness of mind creates a space where we can access a knowingness that is otherwise elusive. At a level of soul consciousness, we can communicate with others in a profoundly satisfying way. In total inner silence, we can experience what is known in yoga as samadhi, the blissful state of oneness.

We will explore this dimension later on in the course. You will receive the tools to access this level, should you choose to do so. This usually takes regular and committed practice though.

.................................................................................................................................

How Do I Learn Meditation?

I've designed and recorded a Meditation CD called Guided Meditations for Busy People to give you a variety of short and easy guided meditations for you to quiet your mental chatter and help you towards a feeling of better health, well-being and happiness.

There are 4 easy to follow meditations which all include instructions at the beginning of each meditation.

The Guided Body Scan Meditation relaxes your body as your mind follows the gentle narration.

The Guided Breath Meditation allows your mind to become centred on your breath to help quiet your mind.

The two Sound Meditations are extremely effective in alleviating an anxious, agitated or even tired and fatigued mind through the use of two simple mantra sounds.

Each meditation is between 10-14 minutes long and can be practised on its own whenever you feel the need to. Alternatively, if you need to reduce stress over the long term, then actively participate in at least 1 meditation per day for 21 days to allow yourself to go deep within towards a state of deeper relaxation.

Deep gratitude to Eddie Gazani (https://www.eddiegazani.com/bio) of Yemanja Music who accompanies me with his wonderful, soothing guitar sounds on the Body Scan and Breath Meditations.

Whether you're completely new to meditation but are in need of a short and simple solution to achieving daily relaxation, or whether you're an experienced meditator in need of a refreshing new approach to your regular practice or even some extra motivation to get back on track, then this CD is for you!

Cost is $20 and is available on pick-up only at Everton Park.

Phone me on 0410 216 243 for more information.

.................................................................................................................................

Meditation Testimonials


"It was a great overview. There were plenty of choices of ways to calm the mind. In the future I may explore them further but at the moment I want to stick to 1 or 2 to keep it simple."
- Trish S


"A new perspective about what meditation is all about. I also became aware of different types/forms of meditation"
- Richard C


"Thank you again for your positive teachings. Meditation has made such a difference in reducing my anxiety."
- Rebecca W


"I feel that my mind has expanded & I have learnt how to create calm & positivity in my life."
- Vicki P


"I discovered some good techniques to 'switch off'. Thank you."
- Bruce M


"I feel much more relaxed & able to deal with my everyday life better. My relationships with other people have become better & communication has improved. I am not being so hard on myself anymore, and I'm becoming more tolerant of other people who are at a different place than me."
- Michele W


"I have developed methods for controlling my reactions to certain events. Thank you."
- Ray N


"The variety of the course would suit anyone."
- Chris B


"Tippy, the course was excellent. I have learnt really good relaxation techniques..already feel by doing these meditations it has changed my life. Meditation has become my time each day now."
- Judith J


"I would really like to thank you for the excellent course which has challenged some of the preconceptions and barriers I had experienced about practising meditation previously and I can already see the positive changes and enrichment the techniques can add to my life! Thank you!"
- Nicole C


"A great foundation for which to begin my meditative journey! The course was taught well and it was great to be a part of such an inclusive and enthusiastic group of people."
- Analah F


"Had always heard about meditation but never really understood what it was about. Have loved learning ways to empty our heads of all the clutter and chatter. The night of meditation always meant a good night sleep for me. Thanks Tippy. "
- Catherine D


"I thought it was a very informative and practical introduction to meditation. I have meditated for many years but found this course invaluable to me as I have different choices in how I want to meditate. The Noting & Labelling was my favourite and the one that I found most beneficial. Thank you so much Tippy."
- Helen H


.....................................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................................