Meditation And Entering The Silence

Many people mistakenly believe that meditation is a passive activity in which a person simply empties their mind of all thoughts, and sits doing nothing but mindless breathing exercises. While this may be how some people practice meditation, it is not meditation in the true sense. Meditation is never a passive activity. Of course, in order to enter a true meditative state, you must quiet your conscious or objective mind, but this is done for a distinct purpose. And, there are techniques which actively quiet the objective mind. These are not used to put a person into a mindless state, however, they are done to help the practitioner contact their higher mind. This is often referred to as entering the silence. However, it is what one does when they enter the silence that determines whether one is meditating, or simply entering a mindless, hypnotic trance.

True meditation happens when we enter the silence and then attempt conscious awareness, without reengaging the objective mind. This is difficult to do. However, there are techniques that even a beginner can use to increase their awareness when they enter the silence, without waking up the objective mind. One good technique is to use a mantra or prayer that is short enough to remember, so that it can be repeated slowly in your mind. For example, if you are a Christian, you could repeat the phrase "no longer I, but Christ who lives within me." As you repeat the phrase, say each word slowly, trying as best as you can to feel the meaning and significance of each word. Link your mind, or thoughts, to your heart, or emotions. Then, try to visualize what each word means, again linking a feeling to the picture you create in your mind. Don't worry if you struggle with visualization; many people, (myself included), struggle with it. Do not let that be a barrier, continue practicing visualizing, and linking your thoughts with your feelings.

After you complete your meditation, journal the experience, and reflect on it critically, but without judgment. Ask yourself questions, and see if any insights emerge. Whatever you discover, write them down.

And lastly, be normal. Do not imagine you are special because you are practicing meditation. You are special because you are a child of God, but then again we all are, so that is nothing to boast about. Always approach meditation with a sense of humility, love, gratitude, and praise. If you do this, you will truly meditate and your life will be abundantly blessed.

As you can see, meditation is an active practice, designed to quiet the objective mind, and bring you into contact with the Divine Mind, The Power of the Spirit.

By: Dave Cougar

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Dave Cougar writes articles on Spirituality, Self-Improvement, Diet, and Fitness. To learn more about meditation visit! thepowerofthespirit.blogspot.com/ and www.squidoo.com/meditation-for-self-improvement