Going Within to Find Peace of Mind

Why meditation?

How is this going to help me find solutions to my problems?

During the day we are constantly subjected to sensory input. Our minds are always in the process of thinking. We have conversations, write reports, read, watch TV, and solve problems, etc., etc. As we do these things we engage in a mental commentary, a sort of inner “The Drama of Me”. Most people aren’t aware of all of the mental thought activity that we are engaged in until we try to quiet the mind during meditation. We are so busy doing, doing, doing that we don’t take the time to really listen to our soul.

What exactly does meditation do?

Let’s look at meditation from a scientific perspective. The EEG, a test that measures brain wave patterns, shows that when doing our normal everyday “thinking activities,” our brain wave patterns are about 20 cycles per second. This is called the “Beta” level. The beta level is associated with concentration, alertness and cognition. It is also associated with anxiety, disharmony and disease. Adults spend most of their time at this level.

Between seven and fourteen cycles is referred to as the alpha range. This is the range where sleep and dreaming begin. Children spend most of their time at this level. Alpha is associated with super learning and the ability to process, store and recall large amounts of information quickly and efficiently. This explains why children pick up a foreign language so easily.

Alpha brain wave activity is an indication that a person is using both brain hemispheres to think with. That is the person is able to think (function) with the creative, intuitive right brain hemisphere as well as the logical, rational and scientific left-brain hemisphere. It’s kind of like dancing on one leg. You can do it but it is much easier with two. When you function with both brain hemispheres you can accomplish far more than when using only one.

Slower still is the theta range. This is best known as the dreaming state. Learning to enter and hold this pattern is associated with creativity. This is the level where you may suddenly have an inspiration, when the “light bulb” goes off and you suddenly have a solution.

Have you ever spent time looking for an important paper?

Because there was so much clutter on your desk, you couldn’t see what you were looking for. When you took a few minutes to clear the clutter, suddenly there it was. It had been staring you in the face all along. It is almost as if you have tunnel vision when in beta. When you are trying to figure out a solution or decide which road to take at the beta level, your choices may seem rather limited.

By slowing your brain waves down through meditation your mind begins to expand.

As you clear your mind of the “clutter” inside you allow room for “possibilities to emerge”. Suddenly ideas you never imagined existed are at the forefront of your being.

So how do you “go within” to find your answers?

If you have never meditated before it would be helpful to work with someone who has trained in various meditation techniques. This is not necessary but would be helpful. There are many books and tapes on the subject, however much like riding a bike or playing golf you can read and study for years but until you get out and practice you will never develop the skill.

As my mother used to say, “Practice makes perfect!”

Though I don’t feel there is such a thing as perfection in meditation, it will certainly get easier with time. Often people tell me they simply cannot get their mind to quiet. Thoughts keep popping into their head.  Shopping lists, what’s for dinner, did I feed the dog and so on and so on seem to defeat the purpose of sitting quietly and going deeply within.

I have found a method, that when used is almost fail proof for quieting the chatter. Everyone I know who has ever tried this method has found it successful for quieting the internal chatter or “monkey mind” as I like to call it. It is so simple! It’s called “practice”.

For thirty consecutive days simply sit and meditate for 15 minutes each day.

You don’t have to sit in a certain position. You may sit in a chair or on the floor, whatever is comfortable for you. You may have background music or silence. You may sit indoors or outdoors.

None of this matters.

What does matter is that you be consistent. Pick a time that you can keep the same schedule every day. Most people I know choose mornings. Evening activities vary and you wouldn’t want to miss a party to meditate. Also, first thing in the morning your brain wave patterns are just emerging from a slower state so it might be easier to go into alpha or theta again.

I begin by sitting in a comfortable and quiet space with no distractions. I take a few deep breaths and in my mind recite a simple prayer.

Dear God, I ask today that my mind become still like a stone mountain. I ask that my body be surrounded and filled with a deep sense of relaxation. Allow my ears to open, hearing the voice of my soul and to know the truth. Allow my eyes to open to the wondrous beauty that lies deep within me and all living things. Bring a sense of peace to my inner being as my feelings and emotions flow through me like a river and fill my heart with an abundance of love energy that I may share with all living things. And so be it.

I find that saying this prayer silently helps to center and ground me. My mind then opens to the infinite possibilities that lie within.  Use this prayer if you like or write one of your own. The words are not important. What is important is that they resonate with your soul.

Kathryn Watson is a Relaxation Coach, Trainer and Speaker. She blends body, mind and spirit into her work with  hypnosis, guided visualization and meditation training.  Visit her website www.relaxforsuccess.com