The majority of Earth’s inhabitants have grown up in a social system based on violence and war. Our economic system, in its current neoliberal form, seeks unrestrained growth, maximum exploitation, and maximization of immediate profits. In particular, Western culture, which has dominated the world stage for almost five centuries, is deeply rooted in violence and characterized by a culture of revenge. With long outdated social systems in crisis and collapse, it is no surprise that this crisis is manifesting itself in a massive increase in all forms of violence, not to mention countless wars.
People long for peace and non-violence, but at the same time they feel helpless and helpless. Today’s governments wield so much power that they dwarf individuals. But ultimately it is people and their actions that shape history.
What can you do? At this turning point in human history, overcoming violence is the most urgent need. Society shapes us, but we also shape society through our actions and passivity. Of course, the world often has a greater influence on the individual than vice versa, but it always interacts. My search for peace must begin with myself and be directed toward the world. Violence in myself and the world must be disarmed. Meditation can help with this, but I would like to emphasize that this is not an individualistic and consumerist proposition, but an inward path that leads outward. How to have neighborly love and lead to social and collective action.
Given the challenges we face in overcoming violence in ourselves and in the world, the question arises of how we can take concrete action. Meditation offers us a path to this transformation, not only on an individual level but also on a societal level. However, to walk this path effectively, it is important to understand the variety of meditation forms that exist and how to make the most of their potential. The rest of this article revisits this theme by exploring different meditation practices and how they can transform us internally and be effective externally. In particular, we examine the motivations behind meditation practices, which are key factors in determining how deep and authentic our quest for peace and nonviolence is.
introspective meditation
This is a particularly powerful method, but one that is rarely used. We talk about introspective meditation, where we reflect on ourselves, what causes us pain, what we live for, who we are, where we are going, what is in our lives. I talk about it as an act of thinking about what is driving me, why this or that. I am suffering.
We take too little advantage of this form of activity, or more precisely, this capacity of consciousness. If we could learn to think and reflect on ourselves, we would all be better. Various forms of meditation have proven to be very useful and valuable tools that can lead us from a world full of contradictions and confusion to a world of happiness and joy. This type of meditation requires learning, especially learning to be honest with yourself, and also requires a certain amount of courage to question yourself. It is important to learn how to distinguish between harmful and positive thoughts. Harmful thoughts such as guilt and inferiority complexes need to be identified, released, and processed.
Once you overcome it, you will be able to think and act more powerfully and with integrity.
Meditation must be nourished by inner desire.
Another support for reflection is getting in touch with good emotions. When we reflect and consciously tap into good emotions, the process becomes more effective and the insights we gain more positive and integrative.
This applies to all three types of meditation. People tend to think that learning difficult techniques is important. But that’s not enough.
The effectiveness of a technique is determined by the extent to which it can activate emotional and mental experiences. There is a fundamental difference between performing a technique according to a textbook and meditating with complete devotion and love. When you give your full love to the meditation process, you mobilize even more of your inner power and something profound happens. This mobilization of emotional and spiritual experience, the engagement of the mind, is essential and a real challenge for all the techniques discussed. A purely mechanical application of this technique has no significant effect.
Years of practice are not enough. Actions must have real meaning and be driven by deep inner desires. Only if you have a desire that comes from your heart, such as a desire for reconciliation, will you be able to approach guided meditation on the subject with the right attitude.
Reconciliation is not achieved by applying techniques, but by activating the mind. Techniques are necessary, but true reconciliation cannot occur without emotional involvement. Technique alone is not effective. This also applies to yoga practices, spiritual meditation techniques, and concentration exercises to create mental calm. It is the heart that brings about change. When you reflect on yourself, eliminate toxicity, and activate the good, you can find greatness within yourself.
Why meditate?
The ultimate question is, why do we meditate? What are you looking for, what do you need? Maybe you have a lot of stress in your life and are looking for peace, so you turn to meditation. That’s a very reasonable approach. But you can also go further. If you are looking for meaningful, spiritual or mystical experiences to enlighten your life, meditation offers a way to go deeper into these dimensions. Meditation is more than just a stress management tool. Meditation can open the door to deep insight and a more complete awareness of yourself and the world around you.
These deep experiences can be achieved in one of several ways. You can also come to this understanding by reflecting daily on the meaning of life, your existence, and your direction. This exploration, this desire for different kinds of experiences, and this sincere interest can lead to very meaningful experiences. It’s about discovering a deeper connection to your inner self and the universe, gaining insights far beyond your everyday understanding.
There are many superstitions and confusions about meditation. you may ask yourself. How can you tell if meditation is really good for you? There are some clear signs to answer this question.
First, meditation is supposed to improve your mental clarity and contribute to your well-being. Gaining clarity means becoming more self-aware. You become more aware of yourself and certain aspects of your being that may have remained hidden, both positive and negative.
You should also feel better. It is important to feel good in everyday life. Increased happiness is reflected in the way we treat others and ourselves. This sense of happiness manifests itself in interpersonal relationships. Meditation will not achieve its purpose unless we begin to treat ourselves as well as others with more kindness, understanding, and compassion.
It’s about developing consistency by aligning what you feel, think, and do. The goal is to treat yourself and those around you better. If so, congratulations! Your meditation practice is working.
This meditation technique explanation is inspired by Juan Espinosa’s video Meditation and the types that exist.
