Life evolves in fascinating ways and every once in a while we may ponder how to best bring balance to our busy lives, especially when there are extensive demands on our time – and when it all seems meaningful and fun to do!
In my experience, meditation (or a time for contemplation) is one of the valuable resources we have at hand. I use the term loosely to indicate a voluntary retreat that permits us to center ourselves in a reordering to fulfill our potential. A fellow philosopher I admire said it is necessary to maintain a balance between the requirements of the external life and the simple calm that resides within the being, in solitude or in company.
I enjoy spending a few minutes in silence or listening to my favorite music every morning. People have used various reasons to practice meditation through time. In some traditions meditation is used as a method of praying. In other traditions it is used as a method to discover self-knowledge of ourselves. In modern psychology, meditation is used more and more as a therapeutic practice. It is easy to do. It is as natural for humans as it is to eat, sleep, drink or breathe!
A general axiom to keep in mind is that methods may differ but the goal is the same. Meditation is simply the discipline to look inward. When we manage to relax and suspend our attention to the distractions and complexities of the outer world and focus within, we open the potential to know ourselves deeper, contributing to act in a way that better reflects our higher ideals.
Some of the many benefits of meditation include an expansion of self-esteem and the ability to align with our authentic feelings and desires. It can also potentially foster creativity, a development of empathy and a sense of well-being.
An interviewer asked me during a radio show, “Mayte, what is the best method to meditate?”
Any method we have developed which touches the fiber of our being or is more successful in giving us an experience of reality is the best for the individual. We can add a great principle as a test. If our approach to meditation has served to bring us closer to life, giving us a deeper understanding or empathy in our daily relationships, we have discovered true meditation. This practice is conducive to an expansion of ourselves, in compassion and understanding of others.
By Mayte Picco-Kline
