The Meaning of Meditation
Inner peace. Love for yourself and others. Spiritual growth. Relaxation. We all can achieve this and more through meditation.
So what is meditation anyway? I describe it as emptying your mind of all the stressful, negative, everyday worries, and listening to what your Higher Self has to say. The world, as everyone knows, isn’t an easy place to live in. There is negative energy all around us. It could be negative people, pollution, or even the evening news. But no matter what it is, our bodies and minds absorb all the bad stuff, and we all need is a way to release it. Meditating is one way to release that.
Now that I said that, I’ll tell you how meditation works. First thing first, you need to understand how the mind works. The mind has three main parts. The first is the conscious mind. That is where the physical stuff of your life resides, like work, the house payment, etc. This is the “awake” state of our lives. This part rests while we sleep. The second part is the unconscious mind. This is where the memory is. This is where dreaming takes place too. (Since the conscious mind is resting, the unconscious mind takes over. This is why we dream!) It is also the section of the brain that controls the involuntary actions of our bodies (breathing, heartbeat, etc). The third and final part of the mind is the super conscious or the Higher Self. This is the part we reach during meditation. It’s the part that holds all the wisdom that we have within ourselves. The wisdom that we find in our Higher Selves could be from hundreds of years ago (our past lives). The wisdom also comes from our spirit guides or straight from the God and Goddess!
What our Higher Self has to say is always important for the well being of our conscious and unconscious minds. To actually get to the super conscious mind does take practice, but it will be worth it when it happens. I am giving techniques for meditation on this page. They are just guidelines. I think everyone should develop their on style for meditation. However you can get to your Higher Self is as individual as you are!
Meditation Positions and the Chakras
Now that I have explained what meditation is, let me give some seating positions for it. It is always best to sit in a comfortable position, with your spine straight as possible. The best way to start out is to sit in a chair that has a back on it, with your feet on the floor, and your arms on the armrests. You can also sit on the floor with your back against the wall. Other people will sit in a “lotus” position, which can be a little difficult. The lotus position is what you see in movies- to me it’s the meditation cliché! When you see someone sitting on the floor, with no back rest, with their legs crossed, and their wrists resting on their knees, that is the lotus position. For me personally, that position hurts my back, so I don’t do it. You can also lay down in a bed or a mat on the floor, but this position is so relaxing you might fall asleep!
In the above paragraph, I mentioned you need to have your spine straight as possible, and here is why. We all have glands of power in our bodies- these are called "chakras". There are seven major chakras, and they all run along a major nerve in your spine. If you keep them straight, your meditation energy will flow easily. They start from the genitals and end up in the crown of the head. The following list will give you a better idea about the chakras.
1. Root (gonads)- This is located in the genital region.
2. Navel (adrenal) – This gland is located directly across from your belly button, in your lower back.
3. Solar Plexus (lyden) - This gland is located near your breastbone.
4. Heart (thymus) – This is where it sounds like it would be, the heart.
5. Throat (thyroid) – This gland is in your neck, about where your "voice box" is.
6. Third Eye (pineal) – This gland is located in the middle of your forehead and the most powerful of all the glands. This gland is a "portal" for psychic visions and information during meditation.
7. Crown (pituitary) – This gland is located on the top of your head. It connect us to the divine, or higher-self.
Preparation for Meditation
It is always good to clear yourself of any negative "surface" energies before you start the meditation process. (The actual meditation will eliminate the rest of the negative energies in your mind and inner body.) A ritual bath is a good way to do that. (Make a reference to our Magick Beliefs page for techniques for a ritual bath.) You can also stand in a gust of wind, and visualize it carrying off the negative stuff that has accumulated in your body.
Now after the ritual bath, find a nice, quiet spot in your home. You can also go outside if you would like, as long as it is relaxing and their isn’t a lot of noise. (A country setting would be ideal for an outdoor meditation.) But if you’re going to be inside, it is always best to make sure when you meditate, to not be disturbed. Good ways to not be disturbed are: unplug you phone, meditate during a time your family is asleep, and make sure that nobody will not be banging down the door during this time. (Sometimes I hang a sign on my front door stating that I don’t want company at this time. It may seem a little cruel, but this is my time, and I want to make the best of it!)
After you find a quiet spot, light a pleasing incense. (Pleasing scents really add to the atmosphere and also will give you a relaxed state of mind.) You can also light a candle of appropriate color. (ex. Blue for meditation and tranquility. Yellow for clairvoyance. White for peace and truth.)Now put on some relaxing music, if desired, and find a position that is comfy for you. Now start your meditation.
A Technique for Meditation
Now that you have the basics of meditation, here is a technique for it. I am going to use a technique from Raymond Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft, simply because he is very experienced in the Craft, and I don’t want to steer anybody wrong with my own technique. Once you get use to this technique (or any other basic one you run across), it will be just fine to develop your own. Meditation is a very personal and individual experience, so you definitely should add you own personal touches!
According to Buckland, to succeed and remain successful in meditation you must meditate consistently. He recommends meditating at least fifteen minutes a day, every day at the same time. So it is good to establish routine.
Meditatation Exercise
From -Ray Buckland's- "Complete Book of Witchcraft" 1986 2002 2004 ©
1. Allow the head to fall forward on the chest. Breathe deeply in and out three times. Return To the upright position.
2. Allow the head to tip fully backwards. Breathe deeply in and out three times. Return to the upright position.
3. Tip the head as far as possible to the left. Breathe deeply in and out three times. Return to the upright position.
4. Tip the head as far as possible to the right. Breathe deeply in and out three times. Return to the upright position.
5. Allow the head to fall forwards, then more it in a circle, counterclockwise, three time.
6. Repeat the last exercise, moving the head clockwise three times. Return to the upright position.
7. Breathe in, through the nose, with a number of short, sharp intakes, until the lungs are full. Hold it in for a moment, then suddenly exhale through the mouth with a "Hah" sound. Do this three times.
8. Breathe in slowly through the right nostril (hold the left one closed if necessary), feeling the stomach balloon out as you do so. Hold it in for a moment, then exhale through the mouth, flattening the stomach as you do so. This exercise moves all the stale air from the bottom of your lungs. Do this three times.
9. Repeat the last exercise, this time breathing in through the left nostril and out the right one. Do this three times.
Now when you have done this, envision yourself in a ball of white light. Within this ball, you should feel safe and protected. Do some deep breathing. (Deep breathing will moderate your heart rate. Your heart should be beating slowly and steadily.) With your mind, command every muscle in your body to relax- from your toes to your head. Let your eyes roll up into your head until you can see your third- eye chakra. (This chakra will connect you with your Higher Self.) You should feel totally at peace, and now be ready to meditate! What goes on from here, I’ll never know. Meditation is different for everyone (as I said before) and your Higher Self will let you know whatever you need to know!!
Note: You will need to awaken your body and senses after your meditation. Just do all the above exercises in reverse!!
Blessed Be and Good Luck!
