Ah Man Blog

Meditating in the Presence and in the Present

Meditating in the "Presence" is best done early in the morning.  Try to do it before you start your day; before your mind goes into the full swing of your day's schedule.  Find a place where you can focus without distractions.  Sit or lay, or find the position that is most comfortable, and do your meditation.  Even if it's only for three minutes, do it.  As the time you spend meditating increases, you'll find that you are practicing the "Presence" throughout the day.

While meditating, I enjoy listening to a chant (prayers and names of God).  Then I go into the silence (the chanting has stopped) and I focus on the secret chamber behind my heart where I experience Her/Him.  That experience comes in different forms at different times.  Most of the time, I experience a very deep presence of peace.  This peace is God allowing Herself to be felt by myself and higher Self.

Practice the "Present" as much as you can during your day.  If you find your mind wandering while in a conversation with someone, gently bring your focus back to what that person is talking about.  While walking to the train station, focus on the walking meditation I discussed a few weeks ago.  Apply that same focus to everything you do.  As you're going about your business during the day, focus on the things that bring you happiness, and acknowledge the things that you're grateful to have in your life.

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The Importance of Daily Meditation

If we want to experience peace in our everyday lives, it is crucial to practice meditation on a daily basis.  I know that's a forceful statement, but it is the truth.

Starting your day without a few minutes (or however much time you can dedicate) of meditation is like a carpenter going to work without his tools.  Just imagine all the difficulties that carpenter will have throughout his day because he forgot his tools.

As I discussed last week, meditating in the "Present" will bring about gratitude.  This attribute is very important.  A familiar saying when someone is complaining, whining, etc., is "Put a little gratitude in your attitude."  You can view the cup as half full or half empty; the choice is yours.

I'm not saying that you will never have anything to complain about.  In fact, it will be necessary to complain at times.  Those of us who are parents know quite well that there are times we need to complain to - or about - our kids.  But here's the thing.  While it's okay to complain, take care that you don't get stuck.  Be sure you achieve resolution.

Meditating on the "Present" also helps keep you from drifting, and so it's important.  But no matter how meditating on the "Present" you do, remember that you are focusing on things that are temporary and will constantly change.  While you will find peace and resolve, those too will pass.

Meditating on the "Presence" will bring about an eternal peace in your life.  There is a passage from the Gospel of John 8:32: "...and the truth [knowledge] shall make you free."  As you meditate on the "Presence," you will come to a deeper knowledge of who you are, and why you are here.  This knowledge is the truth that sets us free from being entangled in the results and reactions of all that is temporary.

Next week:  How to Meditate in the "Presence" and in the "Present."

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Practicing Meditation in the "Present" vs. the "Presence"

Scriptures of old, be they the Testaments, the Vedas, etc., tell us that meditation was really another form of prayer that allowed us to have union with The Source and our True Self/Higher Self (i.e., that part of us that is part and parcel of The Source of all).

So why would we want to link up . . . to have union . . . with The Source?

Have you ever experienced the joy of being around your beloved? Or experienced the deep love a parent has for a child? Or how about that feeling of comfort you get when you're in the company of your best friend; when it seems like the two of you are complete and no one else is needed.

Well, when one has that glimpse of union with The Source, the feelings described above are just a fraction of the intense feelings you experience when you are in union with God. Meditation helps distinguish between what is real (and more to the point, what is important) and what is not. Because, while all those feelings you have when with your beloved, your child, your friend(s), etc., are wonderful, they change (because we stop seeing them for who they really are) and eventually that other person (or you) is gone, the body expires.

I am not advocating that you live like a hermit to avoid experiencing those feelings. I am urging you to see them for what they are, i.e., reminders to you of a love that never ceases . . . the union with The Source.

What you are experiencing with others is like a reflection of the love between us and The Source. When you fall in love with someone, you are falling in love with The Source in that person. When you experience a deep friendship with a person, you are experiencing the deep friendship between you and The Source. The same thing applies to the love between you and your child; it's a reflection of the love between you and The Source.

So, what does all of this have to do with meditating in the Present and in the Presence?

Meditating in the Present is mediating on and with The Source. This brings about an eternal benefit: union with The Source.

Meditating on the Presence brings our focus to what's happening right now. The walking meditation I did while at the Buddhist retreat was tremendous. It really brought me into the moment and allowed me to experience everything it took to walk forward. I experienced my breathing, the very rhythm of my breath, while placing one foot in front of the other. I became aware of how my foot touched the ground and the follow-through required. I experienced awareness of all the muscles in my legs, buttocks and hips, as well as those in my upper body, that are required just for me to walk, one step at a time. My mind was not distracted with all the mental clutter that usually runs through my head. I was completely focused on the moment and all it took just to place one foot in front of the other.

After our walking meditation, we did the same thing while having lunch. It was a tremendous experience being completely present to eating my lunch. Tasting it, chewing each mouthful over 200 times (as instructed) before swallowing it. Feeling it move through and nourish my body.  I was so present. I had never experienced being in the now like that before. Later, I was able to practice this, to be fully present when in discussions with others, when walking in nature, when experiencing a celebration and in many other instances.

Being in the now is being aware of your body and your surroundings. This needs to be practiced. And it's important to remember that when meditating on the now, we are meditating on something temporary. So while it's important to stay Present, what's more essential is to be in the Presence. You are in the Presence when you are seeing everything around you as extensions of The Source.

And so you are able to enjoy your experience of the Present in the Presence.

Next week, I'll share why it's crucial to practice meditation on a daily basis.

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The Different Types of Meditation

There are many different types of meditation, and each utilizes a different method to accomplish different goals.  Following is an overview of some of them.

Contemplative Meditation

All religions employ contemplative meditation in some way or another. Christians, Jews and Hindus listen to prayers or chants for a while, then go into the silence. In the silence, you focus on the names of God, or a picture of the God of your understanding, or maybe you focus your attention on the secret chamber behind your heart.

Contemplative meditation has been scientifically proven to bring about peace, not only to the individuals, but to those surrounding them.

Buddhists have different forms of contemplative meditation, such as walking. While at a Buddhist retreat, I had the opportunity to experience "walking meditation." It focused on being aware of every step and all that it took to put one foot in front of the other. This was called being in the "Present."

Loving Kindness Meditation

"Loving Kindness" is an unconditional, inclusive love; a love with wisdom. It has no conditions. It does not depend on whether the object of the love and kindness "deserves" it or not. It typically starts with friends and family, but it goes much further. It stretches out from personal categories to include all living beings.

In this meditation, there are no expectations of anything in return. This is ideal, pure love, which potentially everyone has. We begin with loving ourselves, for unless we have this unconditional love and acceptance for ourselves, it is difficult to extend it to others. Then we include others who ar special to us and, ultimately, to all living things. Gradually, both the visualization and the meditation phrases blend into the actual experience...the feeling of loving kindness.

Shabbat/Sabbath

In the western religions such as Christianity and Judaism, there is a call for a day of rest and contemplation. It can include many rituals, such as beginning just before sundown on FRiday and ending at the end of the day on Sunday. While these traditions are active, they all do require a time of contemplation wherein you sit in silence and acknowledge your activities, how they might have been helpful or where you could have done more. An important component is being grateful for everything you have.

Yoga

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit word "yuj," which means to bind or to yoke, thus bringing into union. Yoga is meant to bring the mind, body and spirit into union. Thousands of years ago, sages (holy men) would sit in certain postures, breathing in a variety of ways and chant mantras (prayers) to bring their individualized soul (Jivatma) into union with God (Paramatma).

Today, yoga is mostly about the process of stretching and strengthening, which can be done more effectively when you are breathing properly. When meditation is done at the end, it is mostly experiencing the "Present," not the "Presence."

And speaking of which, next week I'll be writing about the difference between meditating on the Present and meditating on the Presence.

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What is Meditation?

First you try to meditate and after a while you become meditative. --J. Kleykamp

I’m thinking that if you ask five people what meditation is, you’ll get at least three different answers.

The word meditation is derived from two Latin words:  meditari (to think, to dwell upon, to exercise the mind) and mederi (to heal).  Its Sanskrit derivation, medha, means wisdom.

Usually when I talk to someone about meditation, they respond by saying: “Yes, I meditate.  I meditate while I’m gardening or fishing.”  What they are really doing is dwelling on something.  I guess you can consider that mediation, according to the origins of the word.  While this brings them some sense of peace and joy and, maybe, fulfillment to some extent, it is still material.  It comes and it goes.

Meditation is painful in the beginning but it bestows immortal Bliss and supreme joy in the end. --Swami Sivananda

There is an old saying, “What you think about, you bring about.”  In other words, you might just manifest what you focus on.  So it’s not a bad thing to meditate and experience peace, joy and fulfillment, right?

There is also meditation where one brings themselves back into alignment with their true Self and The Divine.  This alignment brings about wisdom and healing that does not go away.  It is eternal.  In all the scriptures, whether eastern or western, this is more associated with the real meaning of meditation.

Practice meditation regularly. Meditation leads to eternal bliss. Therefore meditate, meditate. --Swami Sivananda

Breathing deeply in an upsetting moment will bring more oxygen to your brain and calm you down.  Some folks consider this meditation and it helps on some level, but it is temporary.  Focusing on joyful things and pleasant experiences during a hectic situation can be considered calming and meditative, but it is also temporary.  Likewise, repeating an affirmation can help restore your confidence, but, again, the result is temporary.

If I want something that will bring me a happiness that will not go away, a healing that will stay with me forever and a peace that will surround me even in troubled times, then I need to go beyond temporary.

Over the next few weeks, I plan to talk about spiritual meditations that are permanent, rather than temporary physical or metaphysical meditations. 

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