Meditation

There are many types of meditation and I won't attempt to list them all here. What I would like to do is dispel some of the misconceptions about meditation, and offer some advice to those who have contacted me and asked what sort of meditation or group they should join. I was first initiated into meditation over 20 years ago, yet in the strict sense of the word (as per Patanjali's definition) I am not sure if I have ever really meditated.

Which meditation group should I join?

Why do you think that you need to meditate? What are you seeking? Relaxation; easing of a troubled mind; enlightenment? Don't BS me with statements about enlightenment or self-realisation - I have yet to meet someone who can define for me what enlightenment is (and many learned folk debate whether it can ever be achieved), and if you don't know what the goal is how can you possibly aspire towards it? The fact is that practising breathing and concentration techniques can be very dangerous. Fortunately most people are unable to apply themselves diligently to techniques that are taught. This is fortunate, because I know of simple methods that if practiced for more than 5 - 10 minutes a day could quickly result in serious and permanent psychological damage worse than any drugs or physical or emotional abuse. There are dangers associated with meditation, and anyone who tells you otherwise is not giving you good advice.

If you want to spend a relaxing evening of silence or chanting with warm and friendly people, there are plenty of good meditation groups around. I often point serious people in the direction of Buddhist schools, especially Vipassana which seems to be trendy at the moment. An authentic Buddhist group will not charge much (if anything) for their teachings, and if you are in a vulnerable emotional state you should be in good company and should be looked after.

The number of groups, cults and institutions to avoid is too numerous to list.

What types of meditation are there?

Classical teachings list a number of basic categories of yoga, each suiting certain individuals:

Karma - the way of action. Mother Theresa was an example of an individual practicing Karma Yoga. Such people may spend 20 years sitting on the top of a pole in contemplation, or may carry out unselfish work without any time for meditation at all. Doctors and nurses working selflessly in service of others are following this path. Walking meditation suits these people, and the single pointed concentration exhibited by endurance athletes running marathons also suits people with this mentality.
Bhakti - the way of devotion. This is the typical religious path of prayer, meditation and devotion to master or God. Chanting and mantra meditation are commonly practices, often for hours on end.
Jnana - the way of knowlege. Any form of study, whether it be on religious or scientific subjects, all lead to the same goal. That is why the highest form of university education is called a Doctor of Philosophy. For people of this mentality I feel that Mantra meditation may not be appropriate. These people are used to highly focusing their mind, and in meditation they need silent contemplation or meditation on the breath.
Raja - the royal path is a combination of the above, or following Patanjali's 8-fold path. It is often said that this path is more suitable for people in the western world (for example, it is hard these days to sit on top of a pole for 20 years, and the number of places available in monasteries or ashrams is very small). In Patanjali's teachings the work begins with light Hatha Yoga (posture), breathing meditation (pranayam), which then leads to concentration (mantra meditation), "real" meditation and samadhi.

You may also come across terms such as:

Japa - mantra meditation. Refer section on Mantras.

Yantra meditation - contemplation of sacred symbols. I don't know many people who do this, but it works for some.

Most people associate meditation with mantra meditation - repetition of sacred word or words either aloud (chanting) or silently. This works for some people, but I believe this to be the minority. Few people walking in off the street are capable of concentrating on a sacred word or phrase for more than a few minutes, and in most cases it isn't what they need or are seeking. It is remarkably hard work. If you are tired you'll quickly fall asleep and if you are seeking peace of mind then filling it up with sounds isn't going to help.

My personal advice for someone seeking meditation but unclear of what they want or why they are doing it, is one of two methods:

Candle meditation - sit quietly in a dime room and stare at a lighted candle for about 30 seconds (unblinking). Close your eyes and concentrate on the image of the flame for 30 seconds or more. As it fades, open your eyes and repeat. 5 to 10 minutes of this is all that is required.
Breathing meditation - go to a Hatha Yoga teacher and learn basic pranayam. Don't get caught up in the many fancy techniques of left and right nostril breathing. Just simple, slow, in-hale, pause, ex-hale. Known by names such as Buddho, Hamsa, Ujjayi Pranayam, etc. There are many variations on the basic theme. Practise for 30 - 60 minutes a day, and you may learn how to breathe properly.

What is "real" meditation?

In Patanjali's yoga sutras, practice of Pranayam leads to sense withdrawal (Pratyahara) which allows the student to begin concentration free from distraction (Dharana). Once the student is able to concentrate for long periods of time they are able to begin meditation proper (Dhyana), which is concentration on "God" - whatever the student sees, feels or understands as the concept of God, Absolute, Nothingness as male, female or nothing. The understanding of "God" is very personal to each student and may not be the familiar form taught through their religion or the master or saint of their Yoga school. It doesn't matter who or what, but there must be a deep inner connection and if it isn't felt by the student then there won't be any real meditation.

Meditation and Hormones

Many meditation methods first seek directly or indirectly to increase the secretion of serotonin from the Pituitary gland in the brain. The increase in production can be accompanied by the meditator seeing flashes or light or coloured chakra wheels in the minds eye. With deeper meditation, the serotonin is used by the Pineal gland to make melatonin. With the activation of the pineal visions are seen inside the minds eye - whether these are hallucinations or communication with one's higher self, angels or beings from other planets I leave it up to the reader to ascertain for themselves. See here for more on hormones.

Summary

In terms of my Framework, I view meditation as active practice to discover or uncover the subconscious. It is one of the very few practices that acts to direct awareness inside ones head and attempt to learn more about the workings of the inner brain. I believe that prolonged meditation practice can forge neural channels between the inner and outer brain - and as these channels open up awareness this progresses towards the state known as "enlightenment" or "self-realisation" (realising your self, your inner workings). This can be proved in your own life. You don't have to take my words or the words of anyone else on faith. However, I do caution that meditation takes a while to "work". By my Framework model, the creation of new neural pathways in the brain takes a while - years, not days. However, if you have been practising meditation techniques for a couple of years and you don't notice any changes in your life then it isn't working for you and you should do something different (and if someone is charging you lots of money for the priviledge then realise that you've been had and move on with your life).