The word meditation comes from the Latin meditare, which means "to turn toward the center in the sense of detaching oneself from the outside world" and "to turn one's attention inward." In Sanskrit, it is called dhyana and is achieved by the techniques of dharana (concentration). In Chinese, dhyana became Ch'anna, a term that was contracted to become Ch'an (Zen in Japanese). In Pali it is jhana. It means "to concentrate the spirit intensely on something.
Meditation is usually defined in the following ways:
a state that is experienced when the mind becomes empty and thoughtless;
a practice of focusing the mind on a single object (for example: on a religious statue, on one's own breath, on a mantra);
a mental opening to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power;
rational analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists)
It is easy to observe our minds continually thinking about the past (memories) and/or the future (expectations).
It is possible to slow down the speed of thoughts and observe a mental silence through meditation.
How to meditate
Sitting in the full or half-lotus posture, on a cushion, so that both knees rest against the floor. The three points of support in this position provide great stability.
Keep your back erect. This is very important. The neck and head should be in alignment with the spine. The posture should be straight but not rigid.
Keep your eyes half-open, focused about two meters in front of you.
Now start to be aware of your breathing and relax all your muscles. Let go of yourself entirely.
If you want to relax the muscles in your face, contracted by worry, fear, and sadness, make a slight smile. When the faint smile appears, all the facial muscles begin to relax. The longer the faint smile is maintained, the better.
At the level of your belly, place your left hand, palm facing upwards, on the palm of your right hand. Release all the muscles in your fingers, arms, and legs. Let go like the water plants that float in the current, while under the surface of the water the riverbed remains motionless. Do not hold on to anything but your breath and your slight smile.
The technique to achieve total rest lies in two things: watching and letting go, watching the breath and letting go. Let go of every muscle in your body. After about fifteen minutes, a deep serenity can be achieved, filling you inwardly with peace and contentment. Stay in this stillness.
The word meditation comes from the Latin meditare, which means "to turn toward the center in the sense of detaching oneself from the outside world" and "to turn one's attention inward." In Sanskrit, it is called dhyana and is achieved by the techniques of dharana (concentration). In Chinese, dhyana became Ch'anna, a term that was contracted to become Ch'an (Zen in Japanese). In Pali it is jhana. It means "to concentrate the spirit intensely on something.
Meditation is usually defined in the following ways:
a state that is experienced when the mind becomes empty and thoughtless;
a practice of focusing the mind on a single object (for example: on a religious statue, on one's own breath, on a mantra);
a mental opening to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power;
rational analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists)
It is easy to observe our minds continually thinking about the past (memories) and/or the future (expectations).
It is possible to slow down the speed of thoughts and observe a mental silence through meditation.
How to meditate
Sitting in the full or half-lotus posture, on a cushion, so that both knees rest against the floor. The three points of support in this position provide great stability.
Keep your back erect. This is very important. The neck and head should be in alignment with the spine. The posture should be straight but not rigid.
Keep your eyes half-open, focused about two meters in front of you.
Now start to be aware of your breathing and relax all your muscles. Let go of yourself entirely.
If you want to relax the muscles in your face, contracted by worry, fear, and sadness, make a slight smile. When the faint smile appears, all the facial muscles begin to relax. The longer the faint smile is maintained, the better.
At the level of your belly, place your left hand, palm facing upwards, on the palm of your right hand. Release all the muscles in your fingers, arms, and legs. Let go like the water plants that float in the current, while under the surface of the water the riverbed remains motionless. Do not hold on to anything but your breath and your slight smile.
The technique to achieve total rest lies in two things: watching and letting go, watching the breath and letting go. Let go of every muscle in your body. After about fifteen minutes, a deep serenity can be achieved, filling you inwardly with peace and contentment. Stay in this stillness.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)The word meditation comes from the Latin meditare, which means "to turn toward the center in the sense of detaching oneself from the outside world" and "to turn one's attention inward." In Sanskrit, it is called dhyana and is achieved by the techniques of dharana (concentration). In Chinese, dhyana became Ch'anna, a term that was contracted to become Ch'an (Zen in Japanese). In Pali it is jhana. It means "to concentrate the spirit intensely on something.
Meditation is usually defined in the following ways:
a state that is experienced when the mind becomes empty and thoughtless;
a practice of focusing the mind on a single object (for example: on a religious statue, on one's own breath, on a mantra);
a mental opening to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power;
rational analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists)
It is easy to observe our minds continually thinking about the past (memories) and/or the future (expectations).
It is possible to slow down the speed of thoughts and observe a mental silence through meditation.
How to meditate
Sitting in the full or half-lotus posture, on a cushion, so that both knees rest against the floor. The three points of support in this position provide great stability.
Keep your back erect. This is very important. The neck and head should be in alignment with the spine. The posture should be straight but not rigid.
Keep your eyes half-open, focused about two meters in front of you.
Now start to be aware of your breathing and relax all your muscles. Let go of yourself entirely.
If you want to relax the muscles in your face, contracted by worry, fear, and sadness, make a slight smile. When the faint smile appears, all the facial muscles begin to relax. The longer the faint smile is maintained, the better.
At the level of your belly, place your left hand, palm facing upwards, on the palm of your right hand. Release all the muscles in your fingers, arms, and legs. Let go like the water plants that float in the current, while under the surface of the water the riverbed remains motionless. Do not hold on to anything but your breath and your slight smile.
The technique to achieve total rest lies in two things: watching and letting go, watching the breath and letting go. Let go of every muscle in your body. After about fifteen minutes, a deep serenity can be achieved, filling you inwardly with peace and contentment. Stay in this stillness.
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)