Meditation

What it (is|is not)
The definition of Meditation according to dictionary.com is:
 * med·i·ta·tion nound
 * The act or process of meditating.
 * A devotional exercise of or leading to contemplation.
 * A contemplative discourse, usually on a religious or philosophical subject.

Meditation according to etymonline.com is
 * meditation:
 * circa 1225, "discourse on a subject," from L. meditationem (nom. meditatio), from meditatus, pp. of meditari "to meditate, to think over, consider," from PIE base *med- "to measure, limit, consider, advise" (cf. Gk. medesthai "think about," medon "ruler," L. modus "measure, manner," modestus "moderate," modernus "modern," mederi "to heal," medicus "physician," Skt. midiur "I judge, estimate," Welsh meddwl "mind, thinking," Goth. miton, O.E. metan "to measure"). Meaning "act of meditating, continuous calm thought upon some subject" is from 1390.

So we see

Difficulties
Some difficulties one might experience while trying meditation:
 * Your mind wanders
 * Your body is complaining (lower back pain, itchy eyebrows, etc..etc..)
 * When you try to focus on being still you become too oriented in trying to focus.
 * You want something, anything but this! Watch tv, fly around the room, slam your head on your closet door.
 * "Doubt" - "This is stupid why am i doing this. I'm wasting time here"

"The mind commands the body and the body listens, The mind commands the mind and meets resistance"

A problem seems to be a lack of control over the mind. We seem to be a 'cerebral' society. Living in our heads so much of the time. As much as we live in the mind, we have sometimes very little say in what 'moves' us to think, react, and do. Constant cues from the external environment influence reflex thoughts, emotions and decisions. They can become 'runaway trains'.

Example: Advertising that is targeted to stimulate our "reptilian mind" with SEXUAL cues or FEAR triggers etc.. transforming us into consumers. Another example: getting so angry at something that it effects you for the rest of the day, you can't shake the rage and frustration.

As children, in our most receptive phase of growth, very little are exposed to ways to cope and deal with such important life experiences (rage, relaxation, fear, VerbalAbuse etc..). IMO just as every child can tie his/her shoelace, so should they know how to breath and calm their mind.

Benefits
There are techniques that work to occupy the mind. Slowly you will learn how after some time of practice that once the mind is occupied there is less 'noise', 'doubts', 'distractions'. You'll develop an ability to feel and relax muscles you didn't know you were engaging out of instinct (jaw, eyelids, shoulders, fingers) which drain you of energy and inhibit relaxation for your organism. Also you will slowly restore and deepen your breathing - which is KEY to relaxation - and becoming aware how you breath.

Note:Breath is a good way to guage the mood of a person you are talking with, especially if they are unpredictable and inclined to violence.

Techniques

 * 1) Meditation/Techniques

In the news

 * 1) Meditation/Feeds - Latest news with 'meditation' in it (constantly changing)
 * 2) Meditation/In the news Specific and noted articles added here (static)

To be constructed
Meditation | Hesychasm
 * 1) Proposal for a s23 meditation group to convene at a synchronized GMT hour for a weekly joint remote meditation
 * 2) How often are you alone with yourself? barring internet aswell, can you stand the feeling of just watching yourself and simply being?
 * 3) Mundane, buisness-as-usual coffee&donuts-consciouness reality

Related:
 * How to meditate primer
 * Meditation Flicks (flash format)
 * primer
 * Ananda site Extensive!
 * Noetic Institute Paper
 * Medition links
 * Breath
 * Posture
 * VerbalAbuse
 * Chakras
 * Kunda/Yoga (Links to Academic studies of Meditation)

Commentary: Ever feel like there is "more" but you haven't been taught how to experience "more" ?