Meditation is often misunderstood by those who do not practice it. Very
often, I hear meditation referred to as, “altered states of
consciousness.” That sounds more like intoxicants, rather than bringing
clarity to a cluttered mind.
Without going too deep into what meditation is, or is not, let’s focus
on one of the many things a daily meditation practice can do for you.
Meditation is commonly seen in many Yoga classes, but it has been
practiced by a variety of cultures, including Roman Catholic priests,
as well as
Japanese Samurai, who practiced a form of Zen meditation. I mention
this so you can see the full spectrum of meditation and its many facets.
There are many varieties and types of meditation, but the easiest form
to learn is, “breath awareness meditation.” Compared to many other
meditation techniques, this will enable anyone to experience the
benefits of meditation in much less time.
At this point, let’s consider that meditation and Yoga teachers often
compare the mind to a monkey. Many thoughts are running through your
brain, at the same time, and it is hard to control all of your impulses
- let alone, sit still and meditate. So why go through all this trouble?
Meditation has many rewards, and we will now consider one of extreme
value. Through daily practice of meditation, you will release the
unlimited potential of your mind. The ability to change, or alter the
universe, starts as a single thought within your mind.
One human decided to harness the power of fire, and did he/she foresee
the global warming effect? How could he/she imagine where we are now?
This is just one of many thousands of examples of Karma - the law of
cause and effect. Therefore, one seemingly small change, of any kind,
will have a ripple effect on the universe.
Some of the seeds to change the universe, rests locked up in your mind,
but you have the ability to shape the future by any small changes that
you make.
Let’s say you have a friend, family member, or associate, who cares for
you deeply, but, up to now, you have always taken it for granted. Can
you imagine what would happen if you take the time to groom that
relationship?
The answer is you would have a loyal ally and all you had to show was kindness or appreciation.
You have the ability to alter your own personality and affect the world
around you. Hopefully, your personality will always continue to change
for the better; if so, this will alter everyone around you for the best.
Paul Jerard, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training
at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a
certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of
martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching
credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall
of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children,
adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote:
Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be
considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
