Meditation and Its Benefits

 

Meditation and Its Benefits

In the previous chapter, we explored how meditation can help free our bodies from ailments and improve overall well-being. Let’s continue practicing these techniques. Meditation offers two essential elements: the first is attaining a meditative state by bringing the mind to a state of emptiness, and the second is awakening the Kundalini energy. This Kundalini awakening depends on the individual's mental state—your proximity to Kundalini energy increases as your mind immerses deeper into meditation. However, before advancing further, it is crucial to first bring the mind to a state of emptiness. Without this foundation, further progress is not possible. We learned how to guide the mind into this state in the previous chapter, so let's briefly review.

To enter a meditative state, the mind must be stable and calm. Everyday thoughts must be set aside for a while. You need to instruct your mind, learn to control it, and set boundaries for it. This requires sitting in a peaceful and secluded place where daily thoughts can be minimized. If thoughts arise, allow them without resistance, but learn the practice of gently bringing your focus back. Continue the effort—thoughts are a natural phenomenon, and suppressing them is difficult, but the goal is to gradually discipline the mind, leading it toward stability.

Sit comfortably against a wall, keeping your spine straight. You may use a cushion for support. Focus on your breath, observing the rhythm of inhalation and exhalation. Try to synchronize your mind with your breath—let your thoughts follow its inward and outward movement. The more you align your mind with the rhythm of your breath, the easier it becomes to regulate thoughts. Since thoughts are intertwined with the mind, controlling them requires stabilizing the mind first. In this practice, the breath acts as the anchor that gradually brings the mind to a state of emptiness.

Once breath control is achieved, the mind naturally follows suit. This is because breath is essential for life, and the mind is closely linked to the body's survival mechanisms. Thus, regulating breath aids in controlling the mind. Pranayama is an essential practice to attain this control. The first method of Pranayama, as discussed in earlier chapters, involves inhaling deeply while counting from 1 to 15 (or up to 20 if possible), allowing the breath to reach the brain, holding it for 8 to 10 seconds, and then releasing it swiftly. This exercise may cause a sensation of heaviness in the head, which is simply the mind becoming more grounded. This heaviness should then be guided toward the navel center and further to the Muladhara (root chakra) region, where it can settle. Through this technique, the mind stabilizes and experiences tranquility.

Next, this stabilized mind can be directed toward areas of physical pain. This focus helps in relaxing the affected nerves and muscles through contraction and expansion, reducing pain gradually. It may not happen instantly, but with consistent practice, benefits can be experienced. For example, spinal pain can be alleviated using this method—many have reported positive outcomes. Practicing Pranayama for 10-15 minutes, once or twice daily, helps in reducing discomfort in the spine. The breath and the painful area must be brought into harmony, and this synchronization can be achieved through regular practice.

The deeper your concentration during meditation, the more benefits you will experience.