Meditation Concepts

Basic Concepts of Meditation Though it can be practiced in different ways, a few common threads run through virtually all meditation techniques: Focuses Mind: It is a common misconception that meditation causes the mind to become 'quiet.' In reality, your mind is always thinking.

Although your thoughts might not be as rapid, it is perfectly normal for your mind to be active when you are meditating. The key is to acknowledge this with compassion while bringing the focus back to the breath whenever you can. Meditation is like training a puppy to sit; the mind being the puppy, the breath being the trainer.

Being in the Now: Rather than focusing on the past or future, all meditative practices involve focusing on the present. Being in the now involves experiencing each moment, letting it go, and then experiencing the next. Focusing on the here and now takes practice, as many of us live most of our lives thinking toward the future or ruminating on the past.

Altered State of Consciousness: With time, maintaining a quiet mind and focusing on the present can lead to an altered level of consciousness that isn’t a sleeping state but isn’t quite your average wakeful state either. Meditation increases brain activity in an area of the brain associated with happiness and positive thoughts and emotions, and some evidence shows that regular practice brings prolonged positive changes in these areas.