Understanding Meditation and Its Benefits : หน้า 103/115

MEDITATION "When I'm in peace, everyone is in peace, the world will be in peace." Human beings consist of both body and mind. The mind is a form of energy which controls and sends sequels to the brain, enabling us to think, speak and act in either good or bad fashion. A good clear mind gives rise to good thoughts, good speech and good conduct. On the contrary, bad thoughts, false speech and bad deeds are all created by inferior quality of mind. I. WHAT IS MEDITATION? Meditation is a means of mental development. It is through meditation that our mind is trained, refined and perfected. In its natural state--when the mind is completely still and void of all thoughts--a mind is pure and perfect, free of any mental contaminants known as "defilements". But the mind is always restless and never still. It jumps quickly from one thought to another. A mind that is restless is like stirred water sullied by impurities, losing its clear-seeing quality. Meditation is a process that calms and stabilizes the mind so that it is no longer disturbed by outside influences. Once the mind becomes completely still, all impurities settle, and the mind returns to its original state of perfection. This is the state where the mind functions at full potential, possessing insight and higher form of wisdom. It is well accepted that the calm state of mind, which can be attained during meditation, can relieve stress and help sharpen concentration and memory and so increase one's efficiency.