How Does Meditation Work?

How Does Meditation Work?

In meditation, our goal is to gather up all of our resources and focus them towards the activation of a higher level of potential within ourselves. The practice of meditation is meant to move us to ever-higher levels of consciousness.

There is an eternal stream of Life, flowing through everything that exists. It transforms into everything imaginable, and yet it's underlying essence remains unchanged. This is the source of all life, growth, healing, and transformation. It is this stream which carries us to the heights of meditation.

Unfortunately, many people get too caught up in effort during meditation. We often try to make something happen: we make an effort to receive, we visualize intensely, and we pray with all of our might.

We believe there is something that we must DO in order to connect more deeply with the source of life within us.

We think that conditions must be met, requirements must be fulfilled, and everything needs to be done correctly or else it won't work.

Thankfully, meditation is actually a great deal easier than most people realize.

The truth is that our connection is always at 100%, we just are not consciously aware of it. Since we are not aware of the universal forces that are available to us, we might even believe that they do not exist. Until we learn to see ourselves as blessed beings, one with the stream of life, we will remain in a state of limitation. Ultimately, it is only our thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that prevent us from claiming our true identity. 

Let's consider the way that a sponge behaves:

If you put the sponge in water, it soaks it up according to its maximum capacity.

If you squeeze the sponge, all of the water will flow out. 

If you continue squeezing while the sponge is submerged, it remains empty. 

Even though it is surrounded by water, it cannot fill itself until you release your grip. 

It does not take any effort to fill the sponge, it takes effort to keep it in a state of emptiness.

When the effort is released the sponge is filled automatically. 

The sponge does not need to pray or visualize or believe in the generosity of the water; as long as no tension is applied, it remains in a state of fullness.

To meditate deeply we only need to realize that we are exactly like the sponge: we exist in the midst of a great cosmic ocean, and we are holding ourselves in a state of emptiness with our physical, mental, and emotional tension. Our tension is the only thing preventing us from reaching a state of perfect communication and receptivity with our highest potential.

To the exact degree that we release our tension, we are filled by the stream of Life.

We don't need to visualize the water, pray to it, or even believe that it is there. When we release negative energy in the form of thoughts, feelings, or beliefs, positive energy flows in and takes its place. That is just the way that it is. 

When you know that the ocean is there and you understand your relationship with it, it becomes much easier to see yourself as a part of Life, and you can more easily receive its blessing. 

But this is not necessary.

As long as you acknowledge that there is tension within you, and that releasing your tension, in any amount, causes you to feel better, then you have consciously recognized the role that you play in the entire process of meditation. 

Release Tension

Feel Better

That's really all there is to it.

So let's just keep it simple. 

Cheers!