http://www.care2.com/greenliving/finding-your-true-self-through-meditation.html
Finding Your True Self Through Meditation
Did my mind actually find the silence I was seeking? Was I psychologically comfortable during and after the meditation? Did my old self begin to change as the result of having meditated? Is there more truth in my self?
Every person has to decide these crucial issues for himself. A single meditation can change people because it has allowed them to release part of the false self for good. Without our realizing it, holding on to old feelings, habits, and lifelong conditioning takes effort.
The isolated ego defends itself by remaining constantly on the alert. Is this situation a threat? Is that person going to do what I want? The constant need to protect oneself psychologically may be too subtle to notice, but it occupies an enormous part of everyone’s unconscious life.
Meditation does not deal in meaning. The old conditioning is released without talking about it, feeling it, or having much conscious experience of letting it go. Instead, the mind is shown how to cross over from activity to silence, and this process accomplishes the desired result.
The stresses lie in the gap between the active and silent mind; touching this gap with one’s awareness is enough to release them. Since it takes mental activity to keep the false self going, ending the activity loosens the false self’s grip. It is not that a person tires to detach himself from his fears; they detach themselves from him.
The self expands beyond the confines of the ego, at first gradually, but with greater and greater intensity, until it is in complete union with everything. The transformation of the small, isolated self into something universal may come only in glimpses, but this is the true self. It is only a matter of time before one lives its truth permanently.
Adapted from Unconditional Life: Discovering the Power to Fulfill Your Dreams, by Deepak Chopra (A Bantam Book, 1991).
More from Deepak Chopra (522 articles available)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
13 comments
add your comment »Ive meditated with this guy who made it easier for me to think of nothing.Go outside(park,field,backyard)Look at an object get lost in it.We are so used to having busywork going on in our brains.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Meditation calms a busy mind,helps one to think of"nothing"gives your neurons a rest!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I recently read a book by Adyashanti called "True Meditation". The method of meditation he recommends for the purppose of enlightenment deeply resonated with me, so I thought I'd share it. He recommends sitting however your body wants to sit, in a chair, on a cushion, whatever, and deeply relaxing, then quite simply letting everything be as it is. He explains that all other forms of meditation let the mind stay in control instead of loosening its grip. While deeply relaxed and letting everything be as it is, ask yourself Who/What am I?, don't seek to answer it, just ask, and try to feel the answer in yoru body. This is not the only way to meditate, surely, but I thought some people might appreciate it. If you want to read more about it, get the book I mentioned. Also, Meditation is not about clearing your mind of thought, that's not necessary. Just don't invest in the thought, don't try to control your thoughts, just let it be, and yoru mind will gradually become calmer over time, without any effort! .Happy meditating everybody!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
When I meditate, sometimes I see globs of purple. I must admit, it doesn't help me find myself more. I find myself in my works. Here are meditation tips. BUY INSTANT MEDITATION, JOHN HUDSON
1,let the thoughts just go, if they're overwhelming, put them in an imaginary file cabinet 2,Have a mental cleansing room, I use a white gravel path lined with lavendar plants. IF ANYBODY HAS QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS SUBJECT, I GOT IT DOWN, PLEASE ASK. ;)
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Chris: Thank you, I will try that.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Lynn, Thanks for the info on good meditation music. I've listened to some that were supposed to be in 'proper vibrational tones', that to my ear sounded like fingernails on a chalkboard. So far, Steve Halpern is my favorite.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I have found that listening to minimalist music helps my meditations when I can't quiet my mind easily. I love Erik Satie for this as the notes fall gently like water drops. After awhile I stop listening to the notes & slip into the spaces between the notes. I have also done this with other types of music but Satie is the best.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Stacey, I like the guided meditations, too. Those are great for energy healing, but they always seem to end, before I want them to. And they always end with, "It's time to come back to yourself, yadda,yadda.". What I have done is I've taped some of my guideds then stopped the tape, just short of the guide bringing you back. I then would tape some good meditation music to fill the rest of the tape. Also, make sure that you're breathing properly... belly breathing. That's breathing by expanding your belly, not your chest. It will relax you faster, and, it will also lower your blood pressure. I had to be conscious of my breathing for quite a while before I retrained myself. God bless!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Hi.. thanks Chris B... I love that ...counting one on the in breath, one on the out breath, ... and I interpreted you as repeating the number one over and over. I love that, I will try it, I can get caught up in how many breaths it takes me to get to silence,... sometimes 60,...sometimes 260.... Just reading your note gave me alittle silence inside, thanks for sharing.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I like guided meditations! I have a hard time thinking of nothing too!! GOOD advice Chris!!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: