The Meditative state
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The meditative state means continuous awareness of the actions and interactions which are going on in the body, mind, senses and feelings.
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An effortless sound, repeated with the natural regular rhythm of breathing, can have the same soothing, liberating effect.
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You can use your sense of touch in a lulling, soothing way to induce a state of meditation at times of stress.
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Sit with your eyes closed, and be aware of the colour that comes into your mind.
The meditative state
The meditative state means continuous awareness of the actions and interactions which are going on in the body, mind, senses and feelings. A meditative state goes beyond a structured meditative practice. By practice we are able to stop the activity of thought and experience a state of no thought. But when we come out of the practice we are again confronted with the experience of conflict, stress etc. To deal with them we must develop a meditative attitude in the performance of action, a meditative lifestyle.
Actions are physical, mental or emotional. Meditative attitude means finding that inner stability and strength where actions and reactions are witnessed. That is the concept of drastha (the seer) Dhrasta is seeing the process of life in the physical, mental and psychic realms, to be in a constant state of observation and awareness. When we reach this stage then our journey into spiritual life has truly begun. Where and how do we begin?
A sample sadhana
Mouna - observe silence from 6.00 p.m. to 6.00 am. Total silence. Continue your normal activities but maintain silence, awareness, observation. When walking be aware of walking, when thinking be aware of what you are thinking. You should be alert in total silence.
Surrender to the process of breathing. Feelings arise, thoughts arise. Your mind may "plan", may "judge", may "reject", may "condemn". Be aware, of these but do not get caught in the content of your thoughts. For these arise and shall also pass, as waves rise and fall, and you are the ocean calm and silent beneath. Conscious breathing makes the body and mind one. It calms both. It brings you to an awareness of the present moment, the only moment which is truly real. Anxiety comes from memories of the past and thoughts of the future. With conscious breathing you will learn to live in the moment.
Gaining the meditative state
Sound
An effortless sound, repeated with the natural regular rhythm of breathing, can have the same soothing, liberating effect as the constant natural sound of running water, rustling leaves or a beating heart. The single sound, or mantra as it is known, is used to blot out the "chatter" of intrusive thoughts, allowing the mind to find deep repose. Speaking or chanting a mantra as a flowing stream of endless sound is a very old method of heightening a person's awareness by concentrating the senses. The simple gentle sound "om", or "aum", is sometimes known as the first mantra, which is literally an instrument of thought. The curving Sanskrit (the ancient language of Hindus in India) symbol for this primordial word represents the various states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep and the transcendental state. However; the actual sound need not be a special word or incantation; something simple and meaningful will be as effective. The sound of the word "calm" spoken or thought with each exhalation can be very effective, especially while imagining tension leaving your body. Any word that appeals to you will do.
Citations
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Source: The meditative state, Forms of mediation, Spiritual Age India.com,
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Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/muttly/384883395/
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