Importance of Meditation

That is, if we are to know what inner peace is...

The idea of meditation may have many schools of thought associated to it, but primarily, meditation is the art and practice of looking inward.

What does this mean and why is it significant?

We must understand that our mind is quite literally the filter through which we experience life; therefore, the quality of our mind determines the quality of our life.

For example, if one is completely depressed, they may claim that "life sucks." Contrarily, if one is joyous, they may gladly exclaim, "Life is great!"

Though these are both emotional states, our mind is the mechanism through which we experience emotions.

You may say, "but it's our nervous system that allows us to experience emotions."

True, in part, yes. But the nervous system can exist on its own– meaning the physical component exists regardless if there is "life" in the body or not.

The mind has the ability to alter the nervous system.

We can prove this to ourselves by using the mind to think of a pleasant setting versus thinking of a situation that stresses us out.

As we see, one use of the mind provides/allows a sense of calm while another causes tension.

Though a simple example, this is positive proof that our mind has the ability to alter our nervous system. (Not to mention the countless studies that have been done on meditation and its ability to alter it.)

This also gives us proof that we are affected both inwardly and outwardly.

What I mean by this is that a situation outside ourselves (say, being chased by a tiger) can cause an immediate response to our body and nervous system.

But as we just indicated, a situation within ourselves (say, contemplating an unresolved argument) also triggers a response within our body and nervous system.

The significance of this is vast; for the body and nervous system responds to "real" and "unreal" situations.

The challenge with this is to determine what is "real."

If in the moment of, let's say a nightmare, that you are being chased and you wake up to your body sweating with an increased heart rate, was that not real?

For in the moment, your consciousness was experiencing it as reality.

The same is true for faulty perception. Let us say during a walk in the woods you see a branch on the ground out the corner of your eye but believe it to be a snake.

Your body and nervous system responds as if it were actually a snake.

So in the moment before realizing it's actually a branch, you are experiencing the "reality" of a snake.

We can see how this can apply to every area and situation of our life.

Depending on how our mind is processing/operating information depends on how we experience reality/life.

This leads us to the importance of meditation. Since we can see that our reality is experienced and altered from inward, it would be wise to become aware of the contents of our mind at any given time.

Have we not already experienced the importance of this?

If needing to have a serious or heartfelt conversation yet our mind is in a state of chaos, we recognize, "This is not a good time."

Yet how often do we go about our day without the recognition that our mind isn't fit for the task at hand?

Think of the benefit of being aware of the very filter that is going to alter every activity we pursue.

But the benefit doesn't stop at awarness.

Awareness may be the starting point, but awareness leads to empowerment.

As one becomes aware of their foolish ways, it sparks something within them to create change– In fact, the awareness must be present for any conscious/deliberate change to take place.

As we learn to observe the movements and contents of our mind, we become familiar with it, recognize the patterns, and have the ability to alter it by understanding how it operates.

So the practice of meditation is not solely for the moments we are practicing, but for the moments outside of our practice; the moments in which we are interacting with the world.

Because as we learn to alter the filter, we naturally alter our behaviors, our interactions with others, our contributions.

As we learn that the mind is the foundational piece for our existence here on Earth, we slowly recognize that nothing outside of ourselves has any true power over us.

And if it does, it's only because we've given it the power.

For there is nothing that has access to the depths of your mind save that which you allow.

Now this may sound off-putting, but it is only theoretical until you put it into play in your own life– and explore the depths of your own mind.

For in that exploration we can begin to see thoughts, ideas, beliefs that we would have never dared to put in there ourselves.

This is the key, the foundation to our freedom.

For in recognizing that we have complete dominion over our mind (though a process of reclamation), we provide ourselves the freedom to choose that which serves us (and humanity) the best.

We free ourselves from limiting ideas that have been behind the scenes keeping us from living in a way that brings us great joy and satisfaction.

And it may be added here that deep, heartfelt satisfaction is what we're all striving for... and the only way to attain this is to get in touch with the depth of you... which is within.