Over 20 years ago, I met a woman who had studied meditation and Eastern Philosophy for 30 years with a Himalayan Master. She mentioned that there are four states of existence: waking, sleeping, dreaming and meditation which she referred to as 'The Fourth State'.
Most people experience waking, sleeping and dreaming (although you do have to wonder how 'awake' most people are). It seems as though a small percentage of the population experiences meditation ~ the fourth state.
There was a three year period when I was meditating twice a day for 20 minutes at a time. I had been part of a group in which we were encouraged to do that. When I left the group, the meditation slowly faded from my daily routine ~ I experienced greater mental turbulence as my meditation practice slipped away.
I am aware that meditation is an important 'tool' in the 'handbag of healing modalities' to help a person find greater wholeness. I had written a quote once, 'Are you meditating on a volcano?' Through my observations of both my own life and that of others, meditation does not seem, on its own, to help a person overcome deeper subconscious layers within them. However, I am seeing that it is an essential daily practice no matter where one is at on their healing journey just like physical exercise/stretching/weights/saunas/healthy diet are ideally a part of one's routine.
So often people turn to medication (or are prescribed it) to deal with various mental issues ~ fascinating that meditation is practically spelt the same yet one will have a vastly different experience of life if they turn to medication (which many seem to be on for the rest of their lives) for an issue that meditation may be the only solution to.
You will experience deep rest in the space between thoughts that occurs from having a meditation practice. According to research, most people have approximately 60 000 thoughts per day. Without a meditation practice, it is extremely difficult to experience that deeper rest ~ that space between thoughts.
In this photo, I was meditating on the American side of the Rio Grande River in Southern Texas while on a ten day canoe trip. When I opened my eyes, I could see Mexico on the other side of the river. Some places are truly more meditative but the beauty is that fundamentally, meditation can be practiced just about wherever you are.
Meditation is scientifically known to bring the body into a state of rest that is far deeper than even the deepest sleep. This allows the body to eliminate stresses and toxins that the rest of the night cannot get rid of.
Anyone can practice meditation. It's simple, free and you don't need any special equipment.
Spending even a few minutes in meditation can help restore your calm and inner peace.
The benefits don't end when your meditation session ends. Meditation can help take you more calmly through your day. And meditation may help you manage symptoms of some medical conditions.
When you meditate, you may clear away the information overload that builds up every day and contributes to your stress.
The emotional and physical benefits of meditation can include:
Giving you a new way to look at things that cause stress.
Building skills to manage your stress.
Making you more self-aware.
Focusing on the present.
Reducing negative thoughts and feelings.
Helping you be more creative.
Helping you be more patient.
Lowering resting heart rate.
Lowering resting blood pressure.
Helping you sleep better.
From my experience, having a guide to get you started on your meditation journey is essential as most people will not just all of a sudden start incorporating meditation into their daily life.
Please do get in touch to book a session and discover a whole new experience of life.
You can write me at: reuben@apoetstale.com or call 437 477 4182 to book a session.
Become more and more you.
Brilliant things happen in calm minds.
Learn to be calm and you will always be happy.
~ Paramahansa Yogananda
The goal of meditation isn't to control your thoughts,
it's to stop letting them control you.
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