There are lots of different traditions and terms that designate a form of meditation; Transcendental Meditation, Mindfulness, Vipassana, Shamatha, Zen etc. It is often thought that meditation aims to achieve relaxation but this is only partly true, more rest is mainly a consequence. Meditation is a way to unit to achieve, aka the meaning of Yoga.
Meditation and consciousness development
When talking about consciousness development, meditation is a ‘state of consciousness’. A state of consciousness in this sense transcends the traditions that give us methods to arrive at this state of being to come. Over the years, therefore, I have mostly taught not specific traditions, but rather methods to reach a meditative state of consciousness. In it, a number of characteristics can be distinguished;
Creative power
Every human being has a certain capacity for imagination, in active meditation we focus mainly on this. Also called being or standing ‘in your power’. Creativity, imagination and vision are usually results of this active form of meditation.
Peace and quiet
Known to many who meditate; a receptive state of ‘being’ where we try to quiet our thoughts. In the process, we get in touch with our subconscious mind. This passive form of meditation often shows us first how busy our thoughts are before experiencing peace.
Edwin & meditation
My first exposure to meditation was through Buddhism in 1993. Soon after, I also started filling my spiritual hunger with Krishnamurti's books. For me, this was all about one thing: self-realisation.
After many years of study, retreats and extraordinary mystical experiences, I realise all the more how much I do not yet know. There is no end goal, there is only a path. You walk on it and amaze yourself, time after time!
Your breathing as a compass
Essential to all forms of meditation is breathing. When you are tense or stressed, you breathe faster than when you are sleeping, for instance. So breathing indicates our state of mind but is therefore also a steering tool to calm down. Pranayama yoga is a form of breathing practice. I base my knowledge and experience on Kriya Yoga and the well-known Ujjayi breathing.
Affirmations: a positive attitude
If you have ever travelled to South-East Asia, you probably recognise those beautiful proverbs or mantras. A mantra is a means to keep your thoughts in check and to focus on the meditation in which you often express your respect for a spiritual teacher or master. A similar way is the use of affirmations, well known to people who have read The Secret. An affirmation is a positive observation;
- so not: “I would like to be happier“,
- but: “I am happy“
There are many types of affirmations and I am happy to share with you a very effective and easy way to introduce affirmations into your meditation.
