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Meditation in Frederick, Part 2Meditation: Can We Go A Little Deeper? Part
2 of 3 in Meditation Series By Ryan Diener, L.Ac., Dipl. CH, MSOM, Holistic Health Associates
In
the first section of this 3 part series on meditation we spoke about
the benefits, potential pitfalls, and expectations of starting a
meditation practice. Now let’s look a little more deeply into what I
mean by meditation. There are 2 basic types of meditation known
as meditation “with seed” or meditation “without seed.” This part of
the series focuses on the difference between these two types.
Meditation with seed features a subject with a goal. For example, focusing on breath to limit external influences and provide a reference point, saying a mantra to create a repetitive phrase which allows one to stay focused or imagining a scene related to nature or a religious figure using the imagination to create a picture of one’s devotion to focus on. The common theme throughout these examples is focus. In meditation we are much less interested in the experience of ultimate bliss and peace as most people assume is the goal, and much more about the PRACTICE of focusing the mind which slows down the rapid pace in which life is speeding by. We learn to concentrate on a subject at hand, we learn to slow down and steady the mind. It is through the practice of meditation “with seed” that we learn unwavering focus. Most students of meditation are taught meditation “with seed” and never go any further. This is for 2 reasons primarily. First, most people who teach meditation have never reached a point where they could focus on the central figure long enough to begin to drop even that thought and so therefore don’t teach any other way. Second, most people don’t stick with meditation long enough to experience meditation “without seed.” Meditation without seed involves dropping the reference point (breath, mantra, image), letting everything go, and maintaining an alert awareness. Drifting and falling asleep are not the goals of any serious meditation practice. Alert awareness during meditation leads to a realization of who we are at the deepest possible level. Look
for part 3 of the series in our winter ’08 newsletter
on development through meditation and how it helps us grow as
individuals.
Ryan
Diener is an acupuncturist and herbalist who became cofounder and
Director of Holistic Health Associates in downtown Frederick. Ryan
enjoys teaching, counseling and working with his patients to improve
their mental and physical wellbeing, and engaging them to live up to
their highest potentials. He may be contacted at Acupuncture
Frederick MD or (301) 6201414.
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