Stilling the Mind

Meditation is a process for resting and stilling the mind - inwardly focused and attentive. Meditation helps to let go of mental distractions, thoughts and sensations by replacing them with inner awareness and attention. Yoga philosophy uses the analogy of a lake or an ocean for the fluctuations of the mind. When there are no disturbances in the weather, the waves are calm and the water remains clear. In the same way, when your mental processes subside, your mind becomes still and lucid. Visualization meditations assist in stilling the chatter of the mind.

Meditation Practice:

To begin your meditation, sit in a relaxed and steady position. The head and neck stay centred over the shoulders and body; the back is straight and the spine aligned. Close your eyes. Allow your facial muscles to relax and your breath to settle into a slow, natural rhythm. Begin to visualize your mind as a lake. Imagine that a silver bead has been dropped into the lake shining amid the water from the lakebed. If you try too hard to see the bead, your thoughts will stir up the water and you will be unable to see it. Slow down the flow of your breath keeping it smooth. The faster you breathe, the more thoughts and distractions churn up your mind. As your breath slows down, your mind becomes calmer and the murky water gives way to clarity. Gradually, allow the image of the silver bead to fade and experience the stillness in the lake of your mind. Aspire to sustain this inner silence as you move through your daily life.