Dear Friends,
Meditation is a science and an art. It’s not blanking the mind, or thinking things over. Meditation is not something that can be packaged in one perfect way for all people, yet there is a direction to the practice.
Please ask any questions you may have about meditation, inner communion, or receiving the answers to your prayers in the comments section below.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. I’ll just do my best to answer what I feel inspired about and when appropriate I may refer you to some resources.
I look forward to hearing from you!
August 20, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Are meditation and inner communion different?
August 21, 2009 at 10:42 am
No. True meditation is inner-communion, they are the same.
“Meditation techniques” are only tools one uses to achieve this state. (it’s not a black and white, or overnight thing. A daily practice and much inner work are almost invariably needed. Progress is often by small steps, but over a little time one can look back and see his relationship with God growing deeper)
Western saints who deeply loved God (St Teresa of Avila, and St Francis for example) have achieved the highest states of one-ness with God without the techniques of eastern meditation. They did it by pure devotion. But it is believed in the east that they suffered much along the way because of the churches ignorance about mediation science and that this actually slowed their progress.
Teresa of Avila wrote of her experience and described states of inner-communion that are recognized by meditators as deep states of union, yet she didn’t understand them, and even her superiors questioned her sanity. She was almost destroyed by the church because of this misinterpretation of her relationship with God. But she knew Him.
August 21, 2009 at 10:13 am
Hi! When I am in meditation, should i first of all disconect myself from all the ideas or feelings that are keeping me attached to the world, to the society? How should I do this?
August 21, 2009 at 10:59 am
Dear Valentin,
Start from where you are. Instead of trying to disconnect yourself from the thoughts or feelings you have, try to redirect your focus onto your breath.
Many meditation techniques ask you to focus on the breath. If you practice this way (see article 2 in the meditation section at the upper left of this page) you’ll develop better concentration. As this improves you’ll find that you can “forget” those other thoughts at least for a time. And even if they persist, just don’t put energy into them.
Think of traveling a long way on a road toward your destination. Do you have to read every single sign, or venture down every turn-off? Teach the mind to stay on the breath, allow the thoughts that come to pass you by without reacting to them, and learn to release control of the breath while still observing every nuance of it.
Also awaken the natural love of your heart through devotion or gratitude to something higher than your own ideas. Or, choose to meditate with an attitude of Joy. Don’t wait for it to come, you must do your part too.
Thanks for your question. Posting it here will help others. Let me know how it goes if you wish.