Ruminations on Life Articles / United States Date: Feb 16, 2008 - 02:00 PM |
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Dr. Wayne Dyer is the author of "Your Erroneous Self," "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life," Wisdom of the Ages" and numerour other self-help books and tapes. I've read several his works, listened to his tapes, and recognize him as a person who has a lot to offer to individuals who want to understand (and, perchance to improve) their lives. In one of his works I perused, I honestly can't recall which one, Dr. Dyer mentions his relationship with Harvard-educated Dr. Deepak Chopra, a speaker, author and self-helf guru much like himself. Interstingly enough, in one particular instance Dyer called Ch0pra on the phone and apparently asked him for some advice. Chopra's answer to Dyer's request? Dyer, slightly exasperated, states that Chopra gives him the same suggestion he always gives when querried on some important manner..."meditate." And this segues me toward the topic I want to focus on, that will undoubtedly lead me to ruminating on various other areas...meditation. A few years ago, I happened to notice that many of the newer methods and procedures leading to wellness after an illness or injury advocated some form of meditation. It seems quieting the mind, making oneself calm and entering the meditative state is fast becoming mainstream. But, note I used the term becoming mainstream. This carful choice of words means that it's been around for a while. In fact, if I recall correctly, Dr. Chopra in his books mentions that the concept of meditation finds its roots in the country of India, home of his ancestors. However, as I'm about to relate, one doesn't necessarily need deep metaphysical research, a personal guide wearing a tie-dyed shirt sitting cross-legged on a hand-woven mat and honey suckle scented candle to stare into to clear the mind. You see, meditation only requires one to clear the mind of extraneous thoughts, thereby creating a clear path on which to concentrateon a single, solitary thought, idea or concept. How does one do that? Let me share with you my method of meditation. Conceptually, I clear my mind by going to a quiet place. This could be a room where I can be alone, a peaceful park bench, or perhaps even my bed. But, be mindful that the latter choice could result in one falling asleep as you enter a really restful state of mind. Once I'm in my quiet place, I then close my eyes & concentrate on something in my environment such as a color or an object I can visualize (an apple, a penny, etc.). Other thoughts & ideas at first try to enter my mind, pushing aside my efforts at relaxation. For instance, that phone call I need to make, the car part I forgot to purchase at Wal-Mart last weekend or follow-up at work I need to get done by tomorrow morning. But, I gently push the errant thoughts aside and go back to that color or object I first started out visualizing a few moments ago. And, slowly but surely, I enter that state of relaxation that I seek to achieve. Tension, problems and concerns melt away. In their place is a tranquil state of mind that welcomes relection on some deep problem or situation that may be causing problems in your life. I use this method myself and have found astounding, creative insight into problems I really don't think I otherwise would have uncovered in my "normal" state of mind. But there's one thing I've left out of my meditation technique, and that's the physical location I use to perform my relaxation procedure. Wonder where I do it? At a church at about 6:15 a.m. weekday mornings, give or take a few minutes. It's a Roman Catholic church, as per my heritage. At that time of morning, there usually no one in the part of the church where I sit.Off to one side, there's a chapel where daily Mass is offered, beginning at 6:30 or 6:35 a.m. or so. As relayed up above, I start to enter my mediative state around 6:15, and by the time Mass begins I'm nice & relaxed. Hearing the voice of the priest & congregation, I then slowly Readers of this site might recall that we moved from a suburban area to a very rural area, where deer, wild turkeys and a fox or two are our neighbors. I travel about an hour to work and when I arrive at my work destination each work day morning I make a detour of about 20 yards or so and pull up in from of The Church of the Immaculate Conception. Needless to say, the church isn't too crowded at that time of the morning. A few folks walk past the pew I regularly sit in, on their way to morning Mass that's held in a side chapel at about 6:30 a.m. But basically, I'm alone. My religious heritage is of the Roman Catholic persuasion. That, of course, explains my interest in attending the chuch previously mentioned. The third to the last pew on the right side of the church is my favorite area. I sit there because it's dark, which for me is more conducive to my meditative efforts.
To be continued... |
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