Meditation has been known to nearly every society that has ever existed.  Meditation is also practiced as a part of many religions.  What exactly is meditation and why would we want to meditate?  What is the goal of mediation?  The answers to these questions can best be found in looking at several types of meditation.

Some forms of meditation do not have a specific goal in mind.  One such form of meditation without a goal is Zazen.  Zazen is a Zen concept in which meditation is done without any intervening thought process.  In other words, Zazen is meditation done without any thinking.  This is the ultimate expression of experiencing one’s own existence.  Although no goal is associated with Zazen, enlightenment is the reward of Zazen.  This enlightenment is called Nirvana, the ultimate state of awareness and harmony.

Zazen is difficult, yet it is very easy.  Take a few moments and meditate without any thought process.  You will probably find that your mind will drift from topic to topic, perhaps revisiting the events of the day or thinking about what you will do in the next hour.  Realizing that this has occurred, you will again attempt to stop thinking.  In an instant the thought process occurs again.  You undoubtably will get to the point eventually when you are aware that you are not thinking.  At this point you are actually thinking since you are aware that you are not thinking.  This is not Zazen.  When you enter the state of mind of Zazen, you have entered a state of consciousness beyond what can be described with words.   In true Zazen, you are aware of the state and experience it, yet unaware that you have entered it.  Nevertheless, you know that you are there.

Most forms of meditation have a specific goal in mind.  These types of  meditation typically involve direction of a desire into the subconscious mind.  When a desire enters the subconscious mind, it is then presented to the spiritual plane.  The term “as above, so below” is a spiritual concept that states whatever has entered the spiritual plane will eventually manifest in the physical world.   When the desire is implanted into the subconscious mind, the desire will then manifest in the persons life.  In this way, the goal of meditation is accomplished.

Meditation on scriptures, sentences, or verbalized wishes, which is the way most people seem to meditate, is merely a way to overload the conscious mind with a particular thought.  Meditation is this way is of little value, other than causing memorization of the object of meditation.  At times, a deeper meaning may be found, but there are much easier ways to accomplish deeper understanding.  Taking the scripture, sentence, or verbalized wish and transforming it into a form by which it's meaning can enter the subconscious mind will invariably give much better results.

When we meditate in order to obtain a desire, proper instruction is very important.  If we meditate correctly, meditation can be a powerful tool.  If we mediate incorrectly, the opposite of our desire is likely to occur.  When directing a desire into the subconscious mind, visualization is perhaps one of the best ways to do this.  Once principle is that images and visualizations can easily enter the subconscious mind, whereas words do not easily enter.  A second principle is that a negative thought construct does not enter the subconscious mind, in fact, negative thought constructs are converted to the positive.  With the understanding of these two principles, we gain an understanding of how to mediate to obtain a desire.  If we desire to be healthy and having fun, we would then visualize, without the use of words, doing activities consistent with living a healthy lifestyle.  This may include visualizations of relaxation at the beach, taking a hike, or whatever activities consistent with our goal.  If we meditate, however, using the words “I will not be sick,” what we have done is use a negative thought construct, which is seen by the subconscious mind as “I will be sick.”  In addition, by using words, a roadblock has been erected for the thought to enter the subconscious mind.  Proper instruction in meditation is therefore very important if the goal at hand is to be realized.

Meditation can also be used to relax the mind.  The quietness of the environment, and ceasing to think about the events of the day, is relaxing in itself.  Meditation of this type can be done by focusing any thoughts on ideas or images that are relaxing.  Listening to music is also relaxing to the mind, and is an excellent way to direct thoughts away from the noise and clutter that often fills the mind.

One way in which to meditate, without any involved thought, is to focus all attention on music.  Selecting the right type of music is imperative, instrumental music used for relaxation is perhaps the best type for this form of meditation.  This type music is often used during a therapeutic massage session.  Other selections desirable for meditation are music in which the words are in a foreign language, instrumental music, or classical music.  Rock music is simply not conducive to meditation.  A high quality sound reproduction system is best for this purpose, since the reproduced audio is very close to that of a live performance.  In a dimly lit room, sitting in a comfortable position, the attention is simply focused on the music.  Once the music is perceived without any interference from thought processes, the music will sound as if the wall has dropped, the music will sound as if is both much closer and much farther away than the speakers are, and every note of the music will sound crystal clear.  The music sounds as if it takes on a three-dimensional quality.  No words will do justice in describing what this experience is like.

Kundalini meditation is a type of meditation that directs energy into the spiritual body.  During Kundalini meditation, energy enters the root chakra, and is directed through the Du Mai and Ren Mai meridians of the body.  Spiritual energy is directed toward the upper chakras, one chakra at a time.  As the energy is raised to each chakra, energy entering that chakra contributes to the energetic flow, and is also directed up the Du Mai and Ren Mai meridians.  Continued practice of Kundalini meditation leads to a form of enlightenment.

Many types of meditation are known.  At the Synergy Healing Center, weekly meditation classes are offered in group sessions.  From time to time, weekend classes are held in meditation instruction and the application of meditation to daily life.  Weekend sessions often include a variety of other topics.