Why Meditate? (As seen in Be Well Frederick, Fall 2009 Publication)

At first, meditation brings calm to a restless mind. It gives moments of stillness, silence and peace in the midst of an active life. It brings understanding and clarity to minds that are touched by anxiety, stress, sadness or confusion. The moment we sit down and pay attention to the sweet rhythm of our breath, and allow the mind and body to be still and silent, peace becomes a reality. Peace becomes something that we can experience directly.

When the mind stills, we begin to connect with our true feelings, our deepest truths, our Soul. As the mind quiets, our feelings come to the surface. According to yoga and all spiritual traditions around the world, truth is revealed to us through our feelings, not through our mind or intellect. When we let the mind go, and become conscious of our feelings, we tap into the truth inside and around us.

Meditation begins as a practice that provides peace and clarity to major life questions such as, “Who am I?” and “What do I want?” “Do my current life and actions reflect my deepest truths about who I am and what I want to do with my precious time?” Meditation can save your life. It is time for you to allow your soul to catch up with you. Instead of asking these vital questions at the moment of your death, you ask them while you still have time on earth to carry out your purpose.

Mediation gives you the vision and energy to make changes in your life that are necessary for you to honor your truth. It is the message of yoga and all traditions to live your truth fearlessly. The Egyptians say, “The only leader on this perilous journey of life is the intelligence of your heart and soul.” Jesus said, “Do not be a traitor to your emotions. Honor your truth. If you express what is within you, what you express will save you. If you do not express what is within you, what you do not express, will destroy you.” The Celtics say, “Follow your nature. If you do, nothing destructive can ever happen to you.” And, the yogis emphasize that nothing can harm you when you follow your natural rhythm. You are protected, rewarded and surrounded by love.

The science of yoga states clearly that the number one cause of imbalance and disease is repressed emotions. The moment we repress our emotions, the mind becomes restless. When we do not express the truth inside us, and our lives cease to reflect who we truly are and what we really want, the mind gets caught in anxiety and sadness. If this anxiety and negative feeling continues in the mind over days, weeks, months, years, it starts to affect the physical body. The energy we would normally use to keep the physical body functioning in a healthy way, is drained by the restlessness in the mind, and, thus, we have the beginning of disease.

Our health is in our hands. We have full control over it. We create imbalances in the body, and we have the potential to create balance and health. Honoring the soul, expressing our truth, and living our purpose, keeps us physically healthy and mentally clear. It allows us to live a life where we not only enjoy vital physical and mental health, but, where we also experience a deep sense of joy and satisfaction.

And, this is only the beginning. Once you become aligned with your Soul, you also embark on a journey to understand the truth of existence itself. As the mind quiets, and true feelings awaken, you connect with the reality around you, in addition to the reality within you. Why do we experience what we experience in this life? What are the causes of our joys and sufferings? How do we connect with the natural rhythm of our breath, the earth, the cosmos? How do we create more joy and peace within ourselves and among others? What is the true nature of reality?

Meditation develops your mental and psychic abilities. You become so clear that decision-making becomes a simple act. Time is not wasted in doubt or confusion. The mind is lucid and direct, and your actions are graceful. “Thinking removes grace from all your actions,” say the Celtic philosophers. When you are clear and in touch with the truth within and around you, you can sometimes see the future, the repercussions of your actions, and living becomes a light and exciting venture.

As you learn more about truth, you become active in creating your reality. You simply sit down, quiet your mind, connect with the truth within and around you. And, with the power of your mind and intentions, you begin to create your dreams.

You are powerful. What you experience is a reflection of your mind. As you gain control of your mind, you gain control of your life. This is the essence of meditation.