What is Meditation? : หน้า 81/200

WHAT IS MEDITATION? The mind can be compared to an ocean, and momentary mental events such as happiness, irritation, fantasies, and boredom can be compared to the waves that rise and fall on the ocean’s surface. Just as the waves can subside to reveal the stillness of the ocean’s depths, so too is it possible to calm the turbulence of our mind to reveal its natural clarity. The ability to do this lies within the mind itself and the key to the mind is meditation. Meditation is a means of mental development and cultivation. It is through meditation that our mind is trained, refined, and perfected. Meditation can be practiced by a lay person for the benefit of a happy life, as well as by a monastic for the attainment of liberation. Meditation is universal. It is not only for Buddhists, but for people of all faiths. At its core, meditation is about touching the spiritual essence, or the seed of enlightenment, that exists within us all. This spiritual essence is not something that we create through meditation; it is already there, deep within, behind all the barriers, patiently waiting for us to recognize it. One does not have to be religious or even interested in religion to find value in it. Becoming more aware of your “self” and realizing your spiritual nature is something that transcends religion. Anyone who has explored meditation knows that it is simply a path that leads to a new, more expansive way of seeing the world around us.