The Wise Guidance and Teachings of Meditation
Meditation is the awareness of the soul. By becoming aware of the soul, we can bring light to our darkness and connect with our inner self in a way that cultivates relationship, compassion, presence, and love. Through this connection with our inner self, we can send compassion to our outer self, family, loved ones, community, country, and the rest of the beings that inhabit this beautiful planet we call home. Presence and awareness are aspects of being mindful. Through the practice of mindfulness meditation, we can learn to become more aware of the stories we tell ourselves. As a result, we can begin to make more positive and peaceful choices, engaging out of acts of love and less from the ego. Change and transformation happen when we are engaged in the present moment, holding gratitude in our hearts and minds, and recognizing that we are not separate but part of the oneness of everything.
Meditation practices date back thousands of years when China’s earliest written records are from 5000 BC. The ancient communities across all cultures used some form of meditation and understood the full strengths of the practice. Today, many recognize the relaxing and powerful health benefits that come with engaging in a deep connection with oneself. From studying the wise guidance of Edgar Cayce, and Thich Nhat Hanh, amongst many other spiritual teachers, we can understand meditation on a deeper level. Each individual brings their wisdom and insight into meditation. There are similarities as well as differences in the approach of each facet of perception and practice. What makes the practice of meditation so beautiful is how many sides of the diamond there are, and at the same time, the intention is connection and remembering our true self. Through their teachings, I have gained insights into using meditation in various ways to cultivate inner peace and connect with my own source of wisdom.
“There is nothing to chase after. We can go back to ourselves, enjoy our breathing, our smiling, ourselves, and our beautiful environment”. - Thich Nhat Hanh
Thich Nhat Hanh’s wisdom is infectious. I highly recommend reading his book Peace Is Every Step with a beginner’s mind. We can learn how to take a step back from what is “thought” to be meditation and understand that we can practice mindfulness while walking, breathing, washing dishes, and eating. With Hahn’s teachings, we can add new tools to our everyday. With this wisdom, we can begin to feel more mindful and aware by listening, seeing, and feeling our every action, gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to be mindful and how to participate actively. Connecting deeply to Thich Nhat Hanh’s words, “There is nothing to chase after. We can go back to ourselves, enjoy our breathing, our smiling, ourselves, and our beautiful environment”. There is such simplicity to his teachings that makes life feel essential. When we find ourselves caught in the everyday hustle and bustle, the instant gratification, and the overwhelm of technology. With his words, we can find ourselves coming back to our center, returning to our inner self.
