| Though a common saying suggests the main | | | | listen to the piece from the very beginning to the |
| resources with which we conduct our lives is time | | | | last trailing sounds. If your mind wanders to some |
| and money, there is another resource that is | | | | task or some thought, just bring it back to the |
| more primary than either of these - namely, | | | | sounds. Listen without assigning meaning. Just |
| Attention. | | | | allow it to be heard. This meditation is defined by |
| Focus is the only real tool a person has. The | | | | the boundaries of the sounds and the time the |
| perception of the world is entirely encompassed | | | | piece lasts. |
| by the mind. Life can be defined in the interaction | | | | Today, improvisation of music has become my |
| and connection between world and mind, but the | | | | meditation. It is a type of free association, though |
| only method by which an individual can observe | | | | it is a free association in the medium of notes |
| the internal and external is through the lens of | | | | rather than words. It is a focus upon the |
| consciousness. When focused, this lens is in the | | | | emotional connection between the unconscious, |
| state of Attention. | | | | conscious, and sound; it is a focus upon the |
| Whether reminiscing upon the past, considering | | | | beginning, middle, and end of an entity; and it is an |
| the future, or living in the present; whether | | | | understanding of communication between self and |
| spending time in work or play; whether enjoying a | | | | others. |
| book or time with a loved one, the main resource | | | | The decision of object may be a reflection of any |
| is that of Attention. | | | | number of aspects of a person. Some objects |
| Meditation Is the Exercise and Cultivation of | | | | may be enjoyable and some may not be. If a |
| Attention. | | | | certain object of focus is found to give |
| A person's focus can be spent in several ways. | | | | unfavorable feelings, consider discontinuing that |
| One can divide focus between several objects as | | | | practice and trying another. |
| one does when "multi-tasking." A person can also | | | | Breathing as an Example of another Meditation |
| decide to pay attention to a single task. | | | | There are many types of meditation and each |
| At one extreme, a person can completely diffuse | | | | can have a larger impact than may be noted on |
| her thoughts with barely any attention spent | | | | first glance. For example, a breathing meditation |
| towards any single thing. This can be a trance-like | | | | can be quite powerful. Learning to focus on |
| state of mind just above sleeping. At the other | | | | something as "boring" as the breath can make a |
| end of the spectrum, she can focus strongly upon | | | | person realize that it is not boring at all and that, |
| something well-defined, as with meditation. | | | | in fact, focusing on its centrality to our being can |
| When a person has learned how to focus well, | | | | have a large impact on a person's perceptions and |
| that individual can then grow a more favorable | | | | actions. |
| world around herself. One can almost consider | | | | Breathing is a function ascribed to the part of our |
| attention as a type of growth agent for the | | | | brain called the "brain stem," which also works to |
| world surrounding the self. | | | | regulate our heartbeat and circulatory system. |
| Focusing on money matters, for example, can | | | | We share this aspect of brain with just about |
| create optimal conditions for money growth. | | | | every other centralized nervous system creature |
| Though the world's economic weather and soil | | | | on the planet. |
| may or may not always be favorable, at least | | | | Yet, this ancient aspect of mind somehow allows |
| the nutrition and care is provided by the person | | | | an element of conscious control. Focusing on the |
| involved. | | | | breath can have the impact of realizing that there |
| Without the ability to focus, one risks becoming | | | | is more conscious control over the breath than |
| lost in the torrents of the world. There is no | | | | one originally thought. As examples, one can hold |
| anchor; there is no direction. Such a lifestyle is a | | | | his breath for a short period of time, a person's |
| viable choice, but I would think it a better choice if | | | | posture can radically change the amount of air he |
| it were consciously made. Gaining the capacity to | | | | can draw, one can breathe slowly or quickly on |
| attain a solid state of Attention would allow for | | | | purpose, and one can change his rhythm of |
| that consideration. | | | | breathing. |
| The Practice of Meditation | | | | Focusing upon the breath without the intent of |
| Meditation, among other things, is the art of | | | | modifying it and only watching, feeling, and |
| learning and moving with the natural contours and | | | | experiencing it as it naturally exists becomes not |
| currents of one's own mind. Learning the mind's | | | | only a meditation on breathing but also a |
| movements can present the conditions favorable | | | | meditation upon the interface of something |
| towards Attention. | | | | conscious and something unconscious. One learns |
| Its practice is simple - define an object and focus | | | | how conscious thoughts can affect the normally |
| upon it. When you notice the mind has wandered, | | | | unconscious. |
| gently and kindly bring it back. For most intents | | | | This practice, done routinely for several minutes |
| and purposes, these above two sentences define | | | | daily over the course of years can abstract to |
| meditation. | | | | other aspects of daily life and interaction. It is not |
| The rest, in all its variations, is really just the | | | | just the realization that is important here, it is the |
| practice of defining the object. Some variables to | | | | practice itself that has the profound effects. |
| consider would be: | | | | Analogously, though I may have consciously |
| * Time (how long to meditate) - 5 seconds, 5 | | | | recognized that allowing music to flow instead of |
| minutes, as long as a particular task takes ... | | | | tightening with anxiety brings about a more |
| * Space (physical objects) - a leaf, a box, a sheet | | | | enjoyable piece, actually creating music by these |
| of paper, ... | | | | means can only be done through practice. The |
| * Concepts - art, music, language, ... | | | | situation is similar to only knowing how to lift a |
| * Emotions - love, joy, sadness, ... | | | | 100-pound object versus having practiced |
| * Activities - breathing, creating art, an exercise, ... | | | | weight-lifting and prepared prior. |
| Once the object is defined, the meditation is set - | | | | In this way, a focused attention can provide |
| focus upon the object and when the mind | | | | growth prior unrealized. Meditation is a simple act |
| wanders outside of the boundaries initially lined, | | | | though it requires dedication. In allowing and helping |
| gently bring the mind back to the task. | | | | one to navigate life, it can be as important as a |
| As a specific example, take a piece of music you | | | | physical exercise. Meditation is a flexing of mind as |
| enjoy. Find somewhere quiet where you feel you | | | | Attention is a state of health. |
| would not be interrupted. Close your eyes and | | | | |