When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a candle in a windless place.
-the Bhagavad Gita-
-the Bhagavad Gita-
Renee on Meditation and Mindfulness
The word 'meditation', as encountered in common speech, is used in a variety of ways. This, understandably, can lead to some confusion. My point in providing a brief definition here is not to make a claim concerning the proper use of the term, but simply to clarify what I shall generally mean when I use it. In this sense, meditation, at its most basic, is just relaxing and resting the mind. There is nothing unusual or exotic about this; it is something that the mind does naturally, just as stretching is something that the body does naturally. However, just as we can become more effective at stretching our body by practicing an art devoted to that goal, like yoga, so too can we become more effective in meditation through deliberate and guided practice. Our goal in meditation is a relaxed, open, and "spacious" state of mind. Thoughts will still arise most of the time, and that is okay, but we do not give free reign to them, as we do when we are daydreaming, nor do we deliberately work with them, as we do in contemplation.
Mindfulness, at its most basic, is simply being aware, and then choosing healthy habit patterns of thought, speech, and action. When people practice with me they will notice I infuse ethics into mindfulness, for mindfulness without compassion has little energy.
Steve on Meditation and Mindfulness
There are many definitions of meditation, and many different ways to practice it. It is often understood to be a time specifically set aside for quiet and stillness: a time to "be" rather than a time for "doing" or "accomplishing". The word is often associated with intense focus, allowing anything other than one's intended focus to drop away. This idea of "intensity" can be confusing when set against the idea of stillness, quiet and release. When I refer to "focus" in the context of meditation, it should not be confused with hard work and effort, but rather the practice of letting all of the other things fall away.
There are religious contemplative practices known as "meditation". "Meditation" and "prayer" are two terms often used in conjunction, implying that they can be related, but different.
Mindfulness is the English word used to translate a Pali word that could just as easily be translated "heartfulness". Many English speakers use the word "mindfulness" to refer to careful and deliberate thought. I am using the word a little differently here at YWM. Mindfulness is paying attention to your experience in the present moment, with curiosity and kindness, and while withholding judgement or decision for the time being.
We meditate when we are setting aside the effort to accomplish something; time to just be.
We can work to accomplish something while paying attention to what we are doing and experiencing in the present moment, with curiosity and kindness. This is to do something mindfully.
Practicing meditation can help you to live ones life in a much more fully mindful way.
Practicing mindful living can support your times of meditation.
Read more about YWM at About.
There are many definitions of meditation, and many different ways to practice it. It is often understood to be a time specifically set aside for quiet and stillness: a time to "be" rather than a time for "doing" or "accomplishing". The word is often associated with intense focus, allowing anything other than one's intended focus to drop away. This idea of "intensity" can be confusing when set against the idea of stillness, quiet and release. When I refer to "focus" in the context of meditation, it should not be confused with hard work and effort, but rather the practice of letting all of the other things fall away.
There are religious contemplative practices known as "meditation". "Meditation" and "prayer" are two terms often used in conjunction, implying that they can be related, but different.
Mindfulness is the English word used to translate a Pali word that could just as easily be translated "heartfulness". Many English speakers use the word "mindfulness" to refer to careful and deliberate thought. I am using the word a little differently here at YWM. Mindfulness is paying attention to your experience in the present moment, with curiosity and kindness, and while withholding judgement or decision for the time being.
We meditate when we are setting aside the effort to accomplish something; time to just be.
We can work to accomplish something while paying attention to what we are doing and experiencing in the present moment, with curiosity and kindness. This is to do something mindfully.
Practicing meditation can help you to live ones life in a much more fully mindful way.
Practicing mindful living can support your times of meditation.
Read more about YWM at About.