EFFECTIVE
MEDITATION

Effective Meditation

By George A. Boyd ©2001

When people ask you, "why do you meditate?" What do you say?

Do you tell them? "I do it to relieve stress and relax after a strenuous day." "I do it to help clear and focus my mind, so I can concentrate better." "I do it to get centered and grounded." "I do it to help gain a sense of direction and guidance for my life." "I do it to draw closer to God." "I do it to better understand the scriptures of my faith."

Each of these answers is legitimate. People meditate for many reasons.

But it is important to understand the underlying purposes of meditation: what are you ultimately trying to achieve by practicing the techniques of meditation you are using? Considering the seven purposes of meditation may help clarify this question.

The Seven Purposes of Meditation

Reformative - to correct inappropriate and harmful behavior, change erroneous beliefs, and alter negative patterns of thinking.

Contemplative - to understand the meaning of ideas, symbols, metaphors, parables, and Zen koans. To listen to your Soul's wisdom and to gain guidance and direction for your life.

Creative - to anchor suggestions in the Subconscious and Superconscious mind to manifest desired outcomes and realize cherished dreams.

Devotional - to establish communion between your spirit and the Divine, through prayer and worship, and meditation upon the Nadamic currents of light and sound.

Noetic - to contemplate your spiritual essence to gain intuitive insight and realization, culminating in the experience of Enlightenment and Gnosis.

Developmental - to transform the potentials of your spiritual essence to undergo the process of Initiation, culminating in the experience of spiritual Mastery.

Attunement - to radiate the pure energies of the Spirit to others through attunement. Expressing the Spirit as Light Immersion, inspired discourse, writing, teaching, and guiding others in meditation. Channeling the Divine Light to assist others in their unfoldment and ascension to Mastery. [This is the expression of spiritual ministry by disciples and initiates, and their students through which they channel the Light.]

Meditation should not be an experience of drifting off into relaxing, dreamlike trance, in which you passively view colors and surreal imagery. Rather have a purposeful intention for each meditation to accomplish a specific objective. Here are some examples of applying these seven purposes to your meditations:

Reformative - Inquire: What might I do to correct this behavior? How can I correct this character flaw? Why do I continue to practice this bad habit? Do process meditation: explore where the pattern originated.

Contemplative - Inquire: What does this scripture mean? What does the Sphinx symbolize? What is my service or mission in this life?

Creative - Affirm or utilize self-hypnosis: I will exercise daily. I will eat a healthy diet. I will bring more serenity into my life.

Devotional - Pray and dialogue with God, and do spiritual meditation: Pray to the Divine. Express your love and gratitude to God. Ask for grace and guidance. Practice Nada Yoga.

Noetic - Focus your attention upon: your spirit… your attentional principle… your Soul… Observe: the nodal points you have opened on the Path… the nodal point in which your Soul resides…

Developmental - Practice a transformational method: bija mantra or Kriya Yoga. Witness the results of this transformation by the Raja Yoga method of direct projection. Become aware of the vehicles of your Superconscious mind by practicing Kundalini Yoga. Balance your inner development by utilizing the principle of Guru Kripa Yoga, aligning spirit, Soul, and the vehicles of your Superconscious mind to the corresponding nodal point.

Attunement - Commune with your inner Master teacher: ask for the Light. Minister the Light to others. Teach and guide others according to your ability and understanding. Share your Soul's gifts and genius with the world.

You make your every day actions count. When you go out shopping, you come back with what you decided to buy. When you go out jogging, you go to the place you said you would and return. Why should meditation be any different?

Make your meditations count, too. Dissolve some of your karma with each meditation. Open some new insights. Make some progress on the spiritual path. Uproot a bad habit. Make a breakthrough. Go further and deeper than you have ever gone before.

In this way, meditation will become like a work you do to accomplish your goals. Only, this work is inside of you. It is personal reformation and growth, it is spiritual transformation and empowerment. Do this inner work in addition to your outer work, and you will find an invaluable treasure: one that will bring fulfillment and joy beyond measure.

A Toolbox for Inner Work

If you don't have the tools, you can't do the job. If you don't know how to do this inner work, you can learn these techniques. Many of them are taught in the Mudrashram® Master Course in Meditation. Here are some of the techniques you'll learn for each of these purposes:

If you don't learn these methods with us, learn them. Apply them. Reap the results of blessings in your life and in the lives of others. Make meditation a crucible of dynamic and effective change that improves your life in countless ways.