On Meditation
Manveer Bhoi
[Digitized and reproduced with permission, 4/6/91]

In order to maintain some form of eq uilibrium in life, it is
essential to create some sort of outlet -- either mental,
physical, or preferably both. I can fully attest to the fact that
ultimately the mental aspect of an individual affectZ  M
physical side as well, which is why I have chosen "meditation" as
a topic to examine. I feel that meditation is the ideal way to
harmonize both the body and the mind in order to breathe in that
essence of inner peace.

The first, and indeed most basic, step in learning how to me
ditate is selecting the most appropriate setting. This generally
means that the best surroundings are those that are filled with
tranquility and serenity. Most individuals choose to be in a
large empty room with white walls and ceilings, because this type
of physical void eliminates any kind of unnecessary distractions
that could inhibit the whole meditation session. Another
necessary device to enhance this process would be to make sure
that the room being utilized is also free of any distra cting
sounds. A good suggestion would be to put the telephone off the
hook and also find a time when no one else is in the house.

To actually execute this process, the first step is to lie down,
either on the floor or on a bed. Once in this position, one can
now start to initiate the basic stage of relaxation; which acts
as the backbone for this whole process. In order to achieve this
important tranquil state of mind, one must start counting very
slowly from one hundred down to zero, either out aloud or in
one's mind. As a matter of personal preference, one may play some
light New Age music, especially designed for exercises such as
these.

The next stage is to form an image in one's mind of a peaceful
serene scene. This image could be a day at the beach, or it could
be a beautiful landscape out in the country. Essentially, an
image that might work for one individual may not work for
another. Once this image has been selected, it is necessary to
focus one's whole attention on this make-believe scene in order
to develop a deep state of concentration and relaxation. This
stage is further enhanced via the essence of time; one must focus
on this scene for a good five minutes or so. Once this has been
done, the individual should feel a great sense of calm and
peacefulness -- the mission has been accomplished.

Learning how to meditate is something that is extremely
beneficial, both physically and also for one's peace of mind. It
is an exercise that can be easily acquired through patience and
time. It is certainly something worth considering when developing
an organized format into one's daily, or even weekly, life.
Learning how to meditate truly is time well spent and mental
energy well expent.

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