Brindala -- Los Angeles -- J.S. Jayaram, M.D. -- Success and Peace from Holistic Living
Menu -- Writing

Article CVI: Meditation and Life

"Do you think that you can clear your mind by sitting constantly in silent meditation? This makes your mind narrow, not clear. Integral awareness is fluid and adaptable, present in all places and at all times. That is true meditation... The Tao is clear and simple, and it doesn't avoid the world." Lao Tzu (c.604-531 B.C.), Chinese philosopher & mystic, founder of Taoism, from The Hua Hu Ching (52)

Meditation is a powerful method to lead one closer to enlightenment. Meditation can benefit anyone who practices it. Often meditation is perceived as the dedicated time one spends to implement breathing, relaxation, and focusing techniques. Yet ultimately, meditation implies a presence and a state, which are not limited to the dedicated time for meditation. Meditation involves experiencing that which is beyond the body and mind -- the Divine. Meditation is a path leading to greater realization of the Divine within.

One discovers a window to peace and bliss in meditation, but that window need not be closed once the formal meditation is complete. Meditation offers an easier way to taste the peace and bliss of the Divine, and one may aspire to maintain that state of peace even after one rises from formal meditation. The peace of meditation can be experienced throughout the day in any activity. One may aspire to find the same peace of meditation in every action of the day and in every interaction with others.

Meditation is a single method to approach enlightenment among many others, and it may be more appropriate for certain individuals dependent on particular combinations of tendencies (vasana), qualities (guna), and impressions from past action (samskara). Other methods like prayer, devotion, and selfless action may be more appropriate for other individuals. Whatever the method, one may aspire to maintain the benefits from the method outside of only one context in the temple or in the seat of meditation. By aspiring to maintain the connection with the Divine and expand the experience to all of one's activities, one will gradually achieve greater realization and ascend along the path to enlightenment -- ultimate peace and bliss of the Divine.

East-West Counseling & Meditation -- Modern Psychiatry Integration -- Himalayan Philosophy -- Penn & Stanford Medicine
Home About Treatment Appointment Payment Writing FAQ Contact