MEDITATION

‘Don’t just do something, sit there’!

Of the almost 200 sutras in the ancient yoga text of Patanjali,

1.2 and 1.3 are considered the most important:

1.2 'Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha '

Yoga is the stilling (of the modifications) of the mind

1.3 Tadā Draṣṭuḥ Svarūpe'Vasthānam'

Then (when the mind is stilled) the seer abides in their true nature

Our true nature is blissful. But we must quiet the mind in order to experience this truth. Patanjali knows this is no easy feat! Thus devotes the following 194 sutras to help the seeker with the task; because it's worth it.

When our mind is stilled our nervous system calms down. Those restless thoughts like waves on the ocean finally recede. And like a plumb line our awareness delves effortlessly into the quiet smoothness of our own vast

oceanic world below. In this deep stillness we discover our Being as expansive. We open up to the light of Consciousness like the sun's rays illuminate the water's depth to the ocean floor. We discover inner Joy and the fullness and potential of our own Existence.

Often it is the incessant churning of the mind that causes our worst aches & pains, both physically and mentally. Fortunately these particular yoga and tai chi practices make it easy to tap into inner stillness.

Even if enlightenment is not top on your list, reducing anxiety, stress and pain might be. Meditation helps undercut the foundational causes for many such ailments. It's truly worth every moment devoted to this practice.

Ultimately meditation can be the key to unlocking all that you are looking for. We discover our true

nature as peaceful, eternal, and ultimately transcendent. The transcendent state is when we no longer even chase happiness but abide in and experience Consciousness-Itself as Bliss-Itself.