What is meditation? Is it the same as prayer? Is it a religious practice? Is meditation for kids and adults? These are questions asked by those curious about meditation.
Meditation is a process of going deeply into the inner self, charging through the layers of mind to find the clear and peaceful place within. Meditation practices are not an end in themselves, they are a means of recovering and finding inner peace, and carrying it into daily interactions.
Prayer can be used to set the tone for meditation, but is part of and not the whole of meditation.
Meditation is not religious as it can be practiced without any religious affiliation or inclination; rather it is a spiritual practice leading to communion with the soul supporting us all.
Simple breathing meditation and guided meditation can be practiced by children as a means of stress release, and learning how to gain control of emotions gone wild. As a child becomes a teen, more formal practices can begin by adding contemplation on virtues, and a period for listening to the inner silence.
A meditation session can begin with a prayer request or prayer for peace or affirmation of an uplifting trait. This can be followed with a period of inner listening, which means allowing creative and useful thoughts to flow up from the deeper reaches of our quieted mind.
A period of mantra practice, eventually listening to the Holy Vibration leads to communion with our soul. It is this uplifting communion that purifies our mind and makes us fit instruments for receiving the highest information for ourselves; what we need to achieve the ultimate grace of unconditional love.
The photo demonstrates the way to hold your mala for mantra repetition in meditation. Move forward one bead per mantra repetition.
After the period of stillness and taking in new insights, an appreciation for the love we feel in our life can be offered; this sets us on a positive path when leaving quiet time.
To finish a meditation session, take a deep breath and slowly release it. Then carry new insights and peace into the world.
To recap
Meditation is not prayer, but it may contain prayers, it is not a religious practice, it is a spiritual practice.
Meditation practice is not the goal but the means to a goal.
It is like the time spent practicing the piano till you make music with your life.
Fill your empty moments practicing meditation and you’re sure to reap spiritual benefits to use in the world: joy, peace, harmony.
Article by Susan Helene Kramer; photo credit of mantra with mala meditation by Stan Schaap
For offline reading
Gentle Yoga and Meditation – for All AdultsGentle yoga poses and meditations for adults of all ages, plus a dose of yoga philosophy and virtues. All poses illustrated. 107 pages . Table of contents at this link.
Meditation for all KidsSitting, walking, dance and group circle meditations, along with positive affirmations, verses and benefits of meditation for kids of all ages and abilities in a 100 page book with illustrations.
