The Complete Guide to Meditation

The What, Why, and How of Mindfulness Meditation

Photo by Katerina Jerabkova on Unsplash

Meditation has been used for thousands of years to help people become aware of what is going on in their minds and bodies. By developing this awareness, we are able to step back and observe the thoughts that go through our minds, the feelings that arise in our bodies and our reactions to events around us. Meditation can help to increase self-awareness and improve our ability to make wise choices.

In meditation we learn to observe, but not judge, our thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and to see how they affect the world around us and our relationships. As we learn to observe ourselves with greater awareness and clarity, we also learn to observe others with greater clarity and we are able to bring more compassion and love into our lives. We become more aware of the impact of our thoughts, feelings and behaviours on ourselves and others and are able to take a step back and recognise patterns that we have repeated.

Meditation is a process of learning to make space for ourselves, letting go of old habits and developing a sense of gentle inner presence. It is an experience of steady and uninterrupted awareness. When you meditate, you learn to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, to observe them more clearly and to become aware of the further thoughts, feelings and behaviours that may arise within you as a result. Meditation is an exercise in developing awareness and compassion for yourself and for others. In this way, meditation also helps to develop our ability to express love and compassion for ourselves, for others and for the world around us.

There are many different techniques that help in the practise of meditation. There is no one way that is “right” or “correct” or the “only” way to do it. Some techniques help you to observe your thoughts or emotions, others help you to better understand your reactions, and still others help you to become aware of the power of the mind and the automatic processes of the mind. There are also meditation techniques where you focus on a particular object, person or place and direct your awareness to that object. Some meditation techniques simply help you to relax and become aware of what is going on inside you. With all these techniques the same thing…