When I first encountered meditation at age 15, I was under the misconception that it was primarily a mystical pursuit aimed at gaining superhuman powers. This idea was heavily influenced by shows like “Kung Fu” with David Carradine and the myriad of martial arts films from my childhood, where masters would tap into mythical powers with a moment of meditation, leading to supernatural feats. At that young age, meditation represented a promise of power, not relaxation or peaceful contemplation.
Years later, my naive views matured, and I began to see meditation less as a path to fantastical martial prowess or financial success and more as a practical tool for achieving mental relaxation. It took me 30 years to realize that the true benefit of meditation is, in fact, the unglamorous yet profound gift of mental tranquility.
The exaggerated movie scenes of monks and martial artists using meditation to defeat villains in dramatic fashion are complete fiction. While such fantasies might initially draw some to meditation, the reality of the practice is far more mundane yet incredibly beneficial.
The aim of my wiritng is not to teach you how to perform the Master One-Inch Punch or harness the power of the elements to defeat adversaries. Instead, if such fantasies inspire you to begin meditating, use them. However, be prepared for a shift in perspective as you progress in your practice.
Meditation should be approached as a form of therapy and an intellectual exercise in controlling the flow of thoughts through our minds. This grounding in reality helps us address emotional blockages directly, rather than inadvertently perpetuating them through repression.
We begin by learning to observe the thoughts that arise, consciously choosing to focus on those that serve us while gently setting aside those that do not. This process includes developing techniques to manage our reactions to events that typically trigger anxiety or provoke uncompassionate responses. The overarching goal of self-improvement through meditation is to minimize these reactions, gradually aligning more with reality and less with fantasy.
By engaging intellectually with meditation, you can explore and become more aware of your personal philosophies, especially identifying and rectifying flawed philosophies that contribute to character defects. Recognizing these mental patterns provides us the chance to learn how to alter them effectively. This intellectual groundwork not only enhances the meditation experience but also ensures it contributes profoundly to personal growth and emotional clarity.
As we progress in our meditation practice, we find that the state of consciousness and thought patterns we develop remain with us in other activities in our daily lives. On occasion, external events may momentarily distract us and push us back into a more primal, reactive state of mind. But as we mature in our practice, these instances become brief, and we develop the instinct to return to a state of relaxed awareness.
Major events such as the loss of a loved one, wars, natural disasters, or relationship conflicts are situations in which experiencing a spike of adrenaline and being in a more instinctive "reptile brain" mode might be appropriate. For example, in a car accident, the "reptile brain" may be necessary to quickly respond and assist others without hesitation.
Another example of when it's crucial to experience anxiety is when you lose your job and are gripped by the fear of financial insecurity. This anxiety can serve as a motivating force, propelling you to take necessary steps to address the situation. However, during extended periods of stress, it's essential to maintain calm through slow and steady breath cycles to prevent slipping into “panic mode.”