Meditation

The untrained mind replays events in the past and fast forwards to the future while flitting restlessly on objects in the present moment. Karma is created in each moment as an "I" is attached to each of these mind moments and the karmic seeds for future suffering are planted.

Meditation trains the meditator to become aware of mind moments as they arise and pass away. During mindfulness practice, emotions, sensations, mental formations, intentionality and consciousness are noted as they arise and pass away. The belief that there is a permanent self experiencing all of these states obscures the true nature of mind which is bliss and emptiness. Lama Yeshe once said, "When your mind is narrow, small things easily agitate you. Make your mind an ocean." When we focus in on ourselves, the world becomes very small and self-centered. We create limiting factors and any small thing can become a big problem in our minds. We fall into the 'I'm O.K. you're not O.K. syndrome' in transactions with others. We define ourselves by our bodies, our status and our possessions. And, we set ourselves up for failure when we believe that we cannot do something. Our behavioral patterns and the way in which we experience the world are shaped by the belief systems that we create about who and what we are. When we let go of neurotic clinging to ourselves as something to be cherished above all, then the mind is ready to expand into an ocean-like awareness where there is no self and no other than self.

Meditation is being scientifically examined and studied to learn more about how and why it heals. It is known that when people who are depressed begin to meditate, their depression begins to lift. Continued meditation brings about positive results as they begin to see the causes and root of their depression. Meditation provides a powerful means to recognize and remove barriers to happiness: a happiness that is not attached to causes or conditions, such as the happiness that people believe themselves to have when they gain something that they want. Pure happiness is not diluted or adulterated by cause and effect, fame and disgrace, gain and loss, pleasure or pain. Pure happiness is liberation of mind. Liberation becomes possible when one gives up the belief of self and other than self.

Meditation has been shown to help with pain management. If, when one is feeling pain, all attention and concentration is focused on the sensation of pain, then the pain increases. The increase in pain brings about the emotions of fear and anger. In turn, these emotions increase the pain. It is a cycle that feeds on itself. Through meditation on the breath, it is possible to disassociate from the pain. The pain is noted as a sensation. Emotions that arise are noted as emotions. The mind is no longer attaching to the pain and the pain is diminished and managed in this way.

Mindfulness while exercising brings the activity of body and mind together. Running in a conventional state of mind can create more agitation if one is stewing over the day's events or planning for the future. There is a sense of wanting to hurry up with the workout to get onto the next activity. The mind is narrowed by thoughts. The physical activity of running mindfully is a wonderful way to release aggression and to remove depression. If one has a mantra, given by one's meditation teacher, the mantra can be recited in the mind while exercising. If the mind wanders from the mantra, the meditator notes the wandering and continues with the mantra. Exercising mindfully brings together the benefits of exercise and meditation. Barriers to one's meditation practice, such as anger and aggression, can be cleared swiftly through physical exercise.

Meditation practice begins with a simple daily 20 minute sit. This sit prepares the mind to be aware and to concentrate. As concentration and awareness grow, energy arises. After years and lifetimes of being dulled, the mind starts being sharpened like a fine sword. This sword is the sword of the wisdom mind which is able to swiftly cut through the mental formations, emotions, sensations, intentionality, and consciousness. As the wisdom mind cuts away the delusion of self and other than self and the coming into being which occurs in each obscured mind moment, faith arises: faith in the inherently pure nature of mind.

For a period of time, the meditation sits are distinctly separate from not sitting because it is difficult for the untrained mind to continue meditating after the sit. The mind automatically leaps back to the wandering that it is accustomed to. With time, perseverance and patience, the mind is able to be mindful more and more. Mindfulness of awaking in the morning, touching one's feet to the floor, walking; mindfulness of washing dishes, cleaning, folding laundry; mindfulness of speaking; mindfulness of driving; mindfulness of loving all beings. Each mind moment is awareness.

Awareness and mindfulness become especially important during periods of stress and change in life. Sickness, divorce, death and financial worries can disrupt the untrained mind. The experience of pain triggers an attempt to escape to objects of pleasure. Desire for some objects and aversion to others keeps the wheel of samsara in constant motion. Leonard Cohen described this aptly when he wrote: "You are locked into your suffering And your pleasures are the seal." When we are able to experience equanimity to what gives us pleasure, we are closer to liberation from suffering.

A skilled meditator takes adversity as the path. Adversity is an opportunity to practice generosity, discipline, patience, diligence, meditation and, finally, the attainment of transcendent wisdom. Adverse conditions provide the means for us to cut free from the "I" prison we have fabricated. A meditator, skilled in applying mindfulness to every moment, does not sink the roots of the belief of an "I" experiencing these moments: "The winds of karma cannot shake the tree that was never planted."

At the heart of meditation practice is loving kindness, especially towards one's enemies. Being patient and kind to those whom we have aversion to or those with whom we have an adverse relationship creates causes for future happiness for both our enemies and ourselves. It is easy to love one's child or a friend. Being able to open one's heart to those whom we dislike is the path to transcendental love. Love is often contaminated by gain and loss, pleasure and pain, praise and blame, fame and disgrace. We favor people who give us what we want and dislike those who bring us difficulties. Pure love is not reliant on conditions. The more we practice loving the difficult people in life, the more open our hearts become. When the heart is open, enlightenment is possible. Enlightenment is the beginning of being truly able to benefit all beings.

We are of one nature.
Mindfulness opens our minds to the direct experience of that awakening.