There is a quotation that states:
"If you cannot find Peace, serenity and qietness of Soul where you are right now - then where else do you expect to find it?"
Whilst I would agree that a calm atmosphere and a suitable ambience are ideal pre-requisites for meditation, it's difficult in everyday life, in the ordinary scheme of things, to generate such an ideal...
Let me see if I can help... I know it's long, but read on....
Meditation is very challenging. It can sometimes take courage to overcome the obstacles we encounter during such quiet, introspective times.
But the challenges you meet during meditation are products of your own mind, and as such, are, believe it or not, eventually yours to control.
It is also worth bearing in mind that the primary function of meditation is not to heal you, or make you better. Although indubitably, they will. No, your main primary focus and desire should be to reach a meditative plane of calm and mental void.
That's not to say you must try to stop thinking. Not at all - what's a Mind for, after all....?
You primary goal is to attain a release from the constrictive, negative and punishing constant, relentless, aimless thinking - that actually torments us all, in one way or another.
And know that with Courage, Patience, persistance and perseverance, meditation can - and will - transform you.
meditation isn't a practise that need be confined to a specific quiet place, in a specific atmosphere, on your own or with people....
For my part, I have found that even at work, if I sit back in my chair for 10 seconds, and bring my focus and attention onto my breathing and just "Being Here and Now in the Present Moment" - it can make a subtle difference.....
On another plane, there are many who believe that in order to meditate, you should do so in a quiet, calm atmosphere, maybe with some soothing appropriate music playing in the background, and the delicate aroma of pleasing incense to calm the senses....And ideally, yes, this would be the most wonderful atmosphere in which to meditate.
But the real and occasionally harsh reality is, that 99% of the time, this ideal environment is simply not available. And it actually takes effort to obtain it...maybe driving for an hour through prime-time traffic to get to your chosen centre..., buying all this stuff, and the cushion or stool, too...and what's the best music to use....? And should i also get a timer....? Or warning the rest of the family you'll be unavailable for a while.... And if you're a busy mum of young kids, you can pretty much forget that one for a start!
Sometimes, the most productive "way" to meditate is to start Exactly Where You Are.
If you're driving somewhere, do you find your mind wandering, and you're thinking about anything else but what you're doing...? A pedestrian who looks funny, or what the weather's doing, or what we need to buy from the supermarket - once we get there and find a darn parking space! "And what the heck is that guy doing on that bike! Why don't cyclists respect traffic lights? And honey, I wouldn't wear that blouse with that skirt - oh, big colour mistake, babe... Hey, litter-bug! Lady, why don't you teach your kid what a wastebin looks like? Oh man, shoot! I need to add white wine to the list....and what time did my partner say he'd be home? if he comes in late again and dinner's ruined, I'll go mad....Jeez, I must do some ironing when I get home.....he needs a clean shirt for tomorrow...Oh, and, I need fabric softener too...."
See? We've even forgotten we're in a car....
Sit back.
Relax.
Breathe normally, and smile softly to yourself.
Let it all go.
Have your hands safely on the wheel, and just Be with Yourself, right Now.
See everything, but don't let any running commentary invade your mind.
A blue car goes past.
Note the blue car going past, without thinking,
"A blue car is going past."
Watch the lights, and wait for the green, without thinking,
"Ok, I'm waiting for the green...."
if your mind starts to be invaded with thoughts, just smile softly to yourself, and come back to your Centre.
It's normal, don't worry.
Just let it go, and do without thinking.
Check your mirror - white truck behind you.
Just notice it, that's all.
Indicate left, without thinking, "indicate Left."
Turn the wheel smoothly, serenly, and safely.
Drive.
Go.
Stay.
Smile.
Be.
If you are meditating, and it's noisy, then make the noise part of your meditation.
What noise is it?
Is it a combination of sounds?
is it made by a machine, or a person?
Does it fluctuate?
If there are many sounds, try to separate them and listen to each sound in turn....
if it's traffic, notice the different cars..
If it's birds, note the different songs....
if it's children, note the different voices....
if it's at work, note the different components....
But without commentary.
Fix on each one, individually, and bring it out against the others.
Don't think about it.
Just do it.
But don't think all this....
Discern it all, without commentary.
let your Hearing work it out for you.
Stay where you are.
Breathe.
Smile.
Detach.
Disengage.
Be.
Now isn't that nice...?
EDIT NOTE:
The above is a composite of posts I placed elsewhere, to assist someone through their meditation. Others contributed too, but i have no right to copy nor plagiarise their words...
But I hope the above helps in some way.
Last edited by Alexandra; 08/29/07 08:06 AM.