Meditation - Sri Chinmoy Centre

I never have that much to say about meditation. My classes tend to be a bit shorter than other people, who find it easy to talk for a long time. The main essence of meditation is try and stop the mind and to stop the thoughts. One of the first exercises I do is to ask people to merely observe their thoughts as if they were an impartial observer. This is an important first step in letting go of our thoughts. When people try this exercise they become aware of how busy and over productive the mind is. There seems to be a never ending stream of thoughts. Most of these thoughts are not particularly elevating. Often we replay events of the day or worry about the future. We have to convince ourselves that if we stop thinking for a period of time we will not lose anything. – In fact we will gain a lot.

The next exercise that is very useful is to concentrate on our breathing. Our state of breathing has a big impact on our state of mind. If we breathe hurriedly our thoughts are more likely to be agitated. If we allow our breathing to be very calm, gentle and regular it helps to quiten the mind. It is a very simple exercise but also quite effective. More complex yoga systems go into breathing in great detail, recommending very strict regulation. However it is not necessary to worry about mastering complex breathing exercises. Meditation doesn’t require this to be successful.

In our meditation classes we offer meditation based on the guidance of Sri Chinmoy. Sri Chinmoy started meditating at a very early age and as a youth spent many hours in meditation attaining a state of self-realisation. Through his own practise he feels that the most fruitful place to meditate is to use the heart. “The spiritual heart” is a part of ourselves which we can become aware of when we meditate. The essence of meditating in the heart is that when we are centered in our heart centre it becomes much easier to distance ourselves from our mind and thoughts. Our mind is by nature used to thinking, criticising and judging. To meditate in the mind is hard work. It is like trying to train a monkey to sit still. However by contrast the nature of the heart is oneness and identification. The heart can identify with a sense of expansion. It is not limited but can connect with our own higher self. - Our inner self which is far beyond the domain of the mind.

This is the basic essence of our meditation. There are other techniques and things to consider, but if we can learn to meditate in the heart and stop our thoughts then we will begin to have very productive meditation and begin to feel a real sense of inner peace and happiness.

Sometimes people ask me if I get nervous giving meditation classes. I think I was a little nervous at first but I’m used to it now. In fact I do quite enjoy giving classes. They focus my own meditation. By teaching over people, it really helps to be aware of the essentials of meditation, which can sometimes be forgotten. I also enjoy meeting different people who share an interest in meditation and spirituality.