Hanne Csanyi - Divination and Meditation as Paths to Enlightenment

Meditation Traps

We are being told from numerous directions that we should all be meditating on a regular basis. The medical professions have proven the benefits of spending some time pursuing this as it reduces blood pressure and eases stress. Others believe it is the only way that we as human beings will evolve into a more compassionate and loving society. And others into super humans…and so on.

They never tell you about the traps that are held by this practice. When one first begins to pursue the endeavor of meditation, the benefits of reduced stress are immediate as are the feelings of well being. It is very easy to become a meditation junkie - yes this can become an addiction. One begins to want to spend more and more time in this worry free space that lets one escape the mundane or real world. This is not very different from the alcohol, marijuana or heroine addict, except that this one does not harm you but allows you to grow toward your highest potential.The more time you spend doing this, the more you do not have to face your problems. After an initial period of time, being the junkie comes to an end. Most people find meditating once or twice a week to be sufficient to maintain the feelings of reduced stress and well being.

As you progress in the process of meditation you will find that this false sense of serenity fades and you are forced to face those issues you are not dealing with even more intensely than before. Meditation is a process of growth and how can you grow if you cannot face what you are living this life to do.

Some people experience wonderful visions during meditation right from the start, and then when the mind and the body is wanting to seek other realms of experience, the meditator become disappointed that nothing seems to happen. One should always enter the state of meditation with no expectations, only then can the process be fully appreciated, if not comprehended. There are times when there are visions and other times when there are sensory perceptions of bodily functions, such as the heart beat, movement of blood through veins and others. There are times when nothing seems to be happening, but one still comes out of the meditation feeling calm with a heightened sense of energy. Tiredness has disappeared and you feel as though you can go on for hours or even days. The trap is expecting things to happen. There is always something happening when you meditate, but quite often these are happening at other levels of consciousness not always within our awareness.

Another trap with visions is that they make some people think they are special or more evolved (ie. the influence of ego) which is both true and untrue. Visions can relate to many things. They can be symbols of issues you need to address in some form in the life you are living and are only visions of nothing that is real. They can also be glimpses into past lives that in some way affect this life and again are issues you are trying to heal within yourself. Whether you experience yourself as a peasant or a king it does not matter. It is what you do with the given information that is relevant. Some people even experience past lives where they recognize those individuals that are in their lives today. It is important to understand that seeing these past times is only for you to heal self, not to heal those around you. They too, are on their own path to healing and awareness, but it is their choice when they want to embrace this. A note to remember those who are very evolved also display a humbleness for they are more aware of who they are and who you are and the greater purpose we all fill.

There is a natural tendency to discontinue meditation just before a breakthrough occurs in growth. After going through a period of time where you seem drawn into meditation every day and sometimes several times during a day, you will find yourself no longer wanting or unable to find the time to move into meditation. After having pursued the practice of meditation for such an intense period of time, the body (the physical being) needs to integrate all it has perceived into itself. It is not unusual to be in this state of non meditation for several months before you feel the need to meditate regularly again. Do not guilt trip yourself for not meditating during these times, a trap too many find themselves in.

When pursuing meditation as a regular practice, remember to find a space, and a time which is convenient for you as well as those who are around you. Another trap is engaging in the practice with little thought of how your actions affect those around you. If you have a spouse and/or family that you live with, do not commit to meditation at times that should be your times together. That is a good way of telling your spouse and family they are not important to you, this is not the intent. Do not let meditation conflict with your daily work schedules either, becoming enlightened will not feed, clothe or shelter your physical being. Many mothers find that the only time they have alone is when they are bathing. So why not take an extra few minutes during that time to move into meditation. You accomplish a spiritual cleansing at the same time that you have physical cleansing. How rejuvenating.

Meditation is a practice which allows us to heal on many levels. To pursue it only helps one grow and embrace our world more wholly and our understanding and compassion develops to levels well beyond our own expectations.

Through meditation and divination one can open up awareness to other realms of existence within and without of oneself – a journey which may ultimately lead one to enlightenment.