Meditation for Thursday 28th August 2025
Meditation begins with sitting, that’s pretty obvious although I have heard about traditions where people stand. But for the vast majority it is a sitting exercise.
As Westerners most of us sit in a chair though there are some and we have had a few over the years at our Thursday night group that sit in the lotus or half-lotus position.
No matter what way you prefer to sit for meditation the intention is always to create a stable and balanced position that can be held for periods of quiet.
As meditation becomes integrated into our lives, we find that it becomes natural to adopt the ‘meditative mind’ wherever we are and our preferred way of sitting becomes a matter of choice.
For those who use the breath for aiding concentration it is often suggested that on the inhalation we count the odd numbers, i.e. 1,3,5,7,9,1 and so on. On exhalation, count the even numbers, i.e. 2,4,6,8,10,2 and so on. It’s not a method I use but I do know that many people find it useful for assisting concentration. After a little while you find the counting fades away and you are breathing in and our without counting.
Whether the subject of our meditation practice is the breath, with or without counting, a symbol such as a candle, a picture (mandala) or blank wall; a phrase (mantra) or an idea, our intention is always to return to it over and over again.
Although the mind wanders, the target serves to keep us focused. Experienced meditators know that this process is not easy, but it is our way of learning to stay on target. It requires patience and perseverance. It fosters the development of mental awareness and leads to self-control.
“Every meditation is like a seed planted in the mind. In time it will bring forth its own fruit.” (Naomi Ozanife)
Nothing particular may be apparent on the surface after we meditate but something imperceptible has taken place.
Meditation
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