The Essence of Meditation: Awareness and Connection
Meditation is a vast and ancient discourse with millions of different techniques and applications. When you become immersed in trying to learn how to meditate, at times, the sheer depth can be overwhelming, intimidating, and even confusing.
This is ironic because the practice itself is intended to be accessible and simple. So, in attempts to return the discourse to the original nature of the practice, I have been searching for that which is true to meditation in all forms. Why has meditation lasted for so many years and been so valuable to so many lives? The two words or concepts that I can’t seem to get away from are “awareness” and “connection.” Awareness is what meditation teaches you, and the connection is what it offers.
Awareness
You must give it your attention first and foremost if you want to connect with something.
If you want to connect with another being, offer them your attention.
If you want to connect to your body, offer it your attention.
If you want to connect to the present moment, offer it your attention.
If you want to connect to the world and the universe give it your undevided attention.
This is the answer; this is the action that years of meditation have offered me again and again.
Before meditation, I didn’t treat my awareness as a tool, and it wandered, unfocused, or obsessive; it made me numb to my existence. Sometimes, I still fall into that habit; I am only human. But when I practice, I feel awake, aware. With this refined attention, I feel alive.
But the attention that meditation teaches is of a particular kind. It is focused but not sharp. It is calm, soft, and subtle. Like an excellent active listener, it does not have expectations. Like a kind friend, it does not judge what it sees. Only this sort of attention will offer you the connection you need to change your life.
Connection
What exactly is “connection”? Why is connection so important to meditation? Why and how will it change your life?
“Connection” and my intended use of the word is that of intelligent and universal compassion. It is a deep understanding that all things are one. There is meaning in the love and compassion we bring to the experience of the present moment.
This idea stopped me from making my life superficial. The meaning of my life isn’t how well I did at work, and it isn’t my last accolade. It isn’t the fulfillment of a societal role or what people think of me. Instead, I find the meaning of my life by trusting that I am a part of a bigger picture. I don’t need to see the bigger picture or claim that I know the grand design in things to feel that connection. With this one idea, I can have faith without being religious. I can find peace without fighting. I have purpose and meaning without having to justify it. I AM, and that is enough.
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Sharon Cleere
Meditation Guide, Healing Hypnotist, and Author of “Namaste, Rainbow!”
sharon@meditationcorporation.com
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