THE BASICS OF MEDITATION
- Right Time: You are unique in your timing. When we talk about the right time to meditate, we are referring to the time that is right for you. Some people meditate equally well day or night, so any time is good for them. But you may have different needs. Ask yourself these questions—When am I most awake and aware? When am I most at ease? That’s the time you should meditate. If you do not know, choose early morning—4:00, 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. The right time to meditate is when you do not feel pressured. Once you find the right time, be committed to your practice. If your time is 6:00 in the morning, then every day at 6:00 a.m. you should be meditating. This is called “conditioning.” If you do not feel well or you do not want to meditate, just sit there. Do not break the pattern. Do not break the physical habit.
- Right Place: The place you meditate is important. Most North Americans, by world standards are wealthy. They live in homes with more than one room. Make one of these rooms into your meditation room. This room should only be used for meditation and study. Some people like to use their closets, but you have to get rid of your clothes first. If you do not have an extra room, then a corner of a room is acceptable. Set down a rug or a mat and tactfully remind everyone that this is your personal space and it should be respected. Your room must be clean and fresh with no odors other than the scent of incense or flowers. Meditate daily at the same time, in the same place and in the same position. Consistency is the key if you are to produce any depth of meditation.
- Right Food: Do not meditate on a full stomach. Wait between one to three hours after a main meal. Consider your digestive system. It all depends upon how sensitive you are. Some foods produce gas and they simply do not agree with meditation. You do not have to become a vegetarian, however. You definitely can eat meat and be spiritual. If you choose to be a vegetarian, that is helpful, but it must be your choice.
- Right Lifestyle: Most people think that meditation is something that “you go into” and “do” for 20 minutes each morning and evening. That is not the case! The goal of meditation is to bring your meditation out into the world and keep it there. In order for this to happen, you have to meditate again and again each time reaching a more peaceful and serene state. More than anything, meditation is a way of life. There is a direct relationship between your lifestyle and the effectiveness of your meditation. You will not get far in your meditation if you scream all day. You need to develop detachment and unselfishness to be productive. Let others do their own thing. Stop trying to control people. Do not let the world upset you. What does it mean to be upset? Whether you realize it or not it means that you really want everyone to be like you. Think about it. What kind of a world would it be, if there were 2,000,000,000 of you running around? Ridiculous, right? Your value lies in your individuality (not ego). Through meditation you are trying to find and be yourself.
