1. The first step is relaxation or surrendering of the body and mind so that the mind is not cluttered with various unrelated and disturbing thoughts.

2. The second is concentration on a limited area of mental focus so as to begin to be able to control and direct the mind towards the chosen "object" of concentration. Thus, if I have chosen to concentrate on Christ, the concept of love or the energy in my heart center, my mind will not wonder from that point of focus to various other unrelated thoughts concerning my daily life, needs, desires, the future and the past.

3. The third stage is the eventual transcendence of the mind, thoughts and all identification with the body and personality. We then enter into a state of super-mental union with divine consciousness.

These three aspects, RELAXATION, CONCENTRATION and TRANSCENDENCE constitute the basis of most meditation techniques.

 

Meditation could be considered any process or abstinence of process, which brings the mind into a state of contact with the inner self, so that a sense of inner peace and fulfillment ensue.

Ordinarily, our minds are constantly preoccupied with feelings, ideas, thoughts, sounds, sights, tastes and sensual experiences. We are focused on working, talking, thinking, analyzing, watching, worrying, solving, studying, dreaming and so on. We are like ships being tossed around by the waves of circumstances, external inputs and our subconscious programming.

One moment we are happy, elated over a success, a new purchase or an affirming exchange with a loved one. In the next moment sadness flows through us - we are tired, depressed with life, bored with work, confined by our family, devastated by the heat, frustrated with ourselves, angry at others, or bitter about the hardships which life has put upon us. Life is an incessant flow of moods, thoughts and perceptions.

Now the object of your consciousness is what you are reading. And in-between the lines it moves to the life experiences, which are stimulated by the associations brought forth by these words. Then the past memories become your object of consciousness.

Meditation is a process in which we let go of these disturbances and allow ourselves to sink into ourselves and experience the center of our being, where there is a constant sense of peace and feelings of security and love for ourselves and all others.

This becomes a source of energy, security, self-worth, freedom, strength and peace with which we can deal with our daily lives. We have so much to gain by dedicating 20 minutes at least once but better twice daily for this contact.

We will obtain greater clarity, health, harmony, happiness, intuition, understanding, creativity and problem solving ability.

The meditative process climaxes in the transcendence of the ego and the mind itself, ending in a state of contact with higher levels of awareness or, eventually, pure consciousness without an object of perception.