For most of the world's population, there is a constant stream of thoughts running through our minds. It is full of beliefs and opinions, old memories and hopes for the future, and of course, a big list that could probably be titled "Ways in Which My Life is Insufficient". And as you may or may not have realized at this point in your life, a majority of these those are most likely completely useless. More often than not, we are too busy thinking about this, that, and the other to directly engage with the moment that we are currently present to.
This "stream of consciousness" really isn't much of a stream at all. For most, it is a raging river. We may think that we have control over our thoughts (and to some degree, maybe we do), but we usually tend to get so caught up in them that they seem to run our lives. And when we try to direct our thoughts, oftentimes we get swept away in them, not knowing where they will take us. Over time, however, the practice of meditation can slow these thoughts down so they resemble a stream - or better yet, a still pond. When the mind is still, we are completely open and available to the present moment, not judging or resisting anything. This allows us to reconnect with our true Selves, because thoughts no longer get in the way.
So how does one meditate? "Meditation" actually covers a variety of different techniques and styles, many of which are covered here (it's broken down into several posts, make sure to scroll through the first page or two). The type of meditation that I feel most beneficial and conducive to stilling the mind is called zazen. In zazen meditation, which is the primary style used by Zen Buddhists, all a person as to do is simply sit, and do nothing else. That may sound simple - and it is - but any person who has tried it will be sure to tell you that it can be quite difficult at first. In the zazen style, you are supposed to detach from your thoughts, and simply watch them pass through your consciousness without following them or engaging in them. This is easier said than done, however, because it requires a deep level of non-action on your part. It is tempting to "think through" the thoughts, and engage in the thoughts until whatever your mind is fixated on drops, but something else will always pop up in its place. We may also try to push our thoughts away and force them to be quiet, but as with many things in life, what you resist, persists. This is why zazen encourages meditators to simply watch the thoughts float by. The mind is like a puddle - agitate it, and the dirt will muddy the water, turning it opaque. But if you just let the puddle be, the sediment settles down to the bottom, and the water becomes clear. And yes, now you know where this blog's URL and title come from. =]
In meditation, when this stillness is reached, we are able to rest in the silence and recognize ourselves as actually being the silence. This silence - the silence that is there behind your thoughts, the silence that allows your thoughts to flow - is who you actually are. This is thought of as awareness, or consciousness. You are not your mind; you are the awareness that perceives the mind. When you are breathing in meditation, you are not the one breathing. You are the consciousness that is aware of the breathing. This shift in perception is essential to detaching from the ego-mind and its grasp in your life. Once we recognize that we are no longer slave to the voice in our heads, we are able to enjoy life in a freer and more connected way.
Before doing zazen meditation, a simple breathing meditation may be necessary to calm the mind down enough that we are not immediately swept away in our train of thought. This, the most basic of meditations, is probably my favorite, if only for its sheer simplicity: watch your breath. That's all you have to do. You might have to control your breath and slow it down a bit at first, but then simply feel your breath rise and fall - it may help to concentrate on the chest going up or down, or the air going in and out of the base of your nostrils. When you breath in, there will be a split-second of stillness between when you are breathing in and when you breathe out. Direct your attention towards this gap of silence, and do the same thing before you breathe back in after breathing out. As you meditate, let this gap between in- and exhalation get longer and longer. This will help you get a glimpse of the "no-mind" state, in which thoughts cease. However, it is important to remember that as long as you are controlling thoughts, you are acting from ego and attempting to manipulate your experience, and this type of ego-control is exactly what we are trying to detach from. This is why I recommend this type of breathing meditation to initially get relaxed and settle into the meditation practice, though after a few minutes I would advocate switching to zazen meditation, in which you can more directly experience yourself as the empty awareness that you really are.
Namaste,
Justin
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