Awakening Through Technique of ‘Buddhist Meditation Practice’
There is no corner of the universe which is left untouched with the pain of sorrow. Grief is spread into the world like particles in the air. Despite this fact, a ray of hope is still alive in the hearts of people to witness happiness, peace and pleasure at the end of the day.
Many spiritual and mythological texts have been the foundation of successful and happy lives. In this age of suffering, the need for self-contentment and getting rid of pain becomes necessary. It is the need of the hour to find sustainable ways to attain self-control and retain complete peace of mind.
With a plethora of modern tricks of self-control available, there are people who still rely on the ancient ways of attaining peace. Meditation is one of the supreme sources of achieving peace and ultimately strengthening the power of thinking.
What is Meditation?
Meditation is the way of living today's life and a crucial part of everyone's lifestyle. The busy schedule and unhealthy eating system has ruined the lives of many making them prone to many hazardous diseases. Due to this reason, meditation has become the need of the hour for placing everything back for our body and soul at the right place.
It is essential for everyone to meditate everyday for sometime. Meditation is the exercise of mind to make it more active and responsive without doing much effort. Meditation is the cleaning process which involves spending time with our mind and getting rid of all the impurities cluttered there.
Meditation and Buddhism:
Meditation is an old practice of mind which finds its roots in Buddhism religion too. It is basically the training of the mind meant for the betterment of oneself.
As we all know Buddha attained the level of self-renunciation after witnessing the worries, sufferings and grievances of people all around.
He then left his palace and went out in search of eternal peace. Wandering through the lanes and forests of Nepal and India, Buddha spent five crucial years of his life. In an urge to find the true meaning of his questions and a solution to the sufferings of people Buddha began his journey towards becoming an ascetic.
After five years, Buddha awakened through meditation. He then took place under the Bodhi tree and surrendered himself to it. After going through different stages and controlling one's mind Buddha awakened.
Buddhist Meditation practice has evolved as one of the most effective practices for a sustainable peace in today's era. It not only rids a person from a number of hassles and disturbances but also provides immense relaxation.
Buddhist meditation is the practice leading the mind to attain the level of increased concentration going through different stages and finally achieving Nirvana.
Buddhist meditation reflects many similarities with Hindu 'Yoga' with some difference in the style of performing the exercise. The four prominent parts of Buddhist meditation include:
- 1) Equanimity and sati (mindfulness): Attaining the level of neutral emotions and reactions for every kind of situation is the state of mindfulness.
- 2) Samadhi (concentration): Often we all face problems in focusing on one point or concentration. Samadhi is the process of focusing on one single object, thought, or sensation upto the point of complete absorption. When the ultimate point of concentration is achieved the person reaches the level of Samadhi.
- 3) Samatha (tranquility): Samatha is the third stage when a person reaches the level of calmness and is on the mindfulness of breathing. The main focus is on the breathing habit of the body which is done thoughtfully. Person acquires tranquility by breathing in and out carefully.
- 4) Vipassana (insight): Also known as 'insight', Vipassana meditation emerges in bhavana which is during the training of the mind. It is basically the practice when you observe or see your sensations arising and let them pass off without any reactions.
- 5) Abhijna (supramundane powers): Abhijna is the last stage in Buddhist meditation practice which is related to supernormal powers. It is the level which is reached when one acquires the knowledge of higher powers like becoming invisible, walking on water, flying through air, moving through earth and much more.
Benefits of Meditation:
It is extremely beneficial for the efficient utilisation of all our senses resulting in adequate functioning and ultimately achieving the goal of life. Through Buddhist Meditation practice one can rise to the level of self-enlightenment and attain the stage of Nirvana which means blowing out the desirable flames.
Meditation can boost up the focus of one’s mind by making it more stable and efficient to work in one direction.
It also helps in increasing thinking power and capacity of mind by nourishing its memory power.
By relaxing the nerves of mind and giving it immense strength, meditation also makes a person more presentable.
