Every day, I walk into public places and private homes and see burning candles, observe iconic artwork, or occasionally smell the pungent odor of burning incense. Most Westerners would rarely associate these common articles as part of an Eastern religion, yet it amazes me how m
uch resistance mainstream society applies towards the practice of simple meditation.
Like lighting a candle inside your home, meditation has less to do with religion and more to do with functional aestheticism. I cannot think of any one practice that provides such a strong foundation upon which to improve activities and interests that is so commonly neglected (and shunned) in our culture.
At its most basic form, meditation is an exercise that strengthens our ability to focus our mind and develops the endurance to maintain our focus over a period of time. If you have read my articles on Missing Pieces, you can understand that our ability to exercise mindfulness is directly dependent upon our ability to maintain mental focus.
We understand the value of performing exercise to keep the body supple and strong, and we must also understand that basic forms of focused meditation strengthen our ability to perceive reality more clearly while making our minds more flexible. Many historical documents actually show that the basic practice of focused meditation first existed outside of religion and was later adopted by monks to help enhance their ability to practice their spiritual beliefs. I encourage everyone to open their minds and understand that to discipline the mind, we must adopt a practice that trains the mind to focus.
My studies are centered upon understanding why a majority of human beings fail to reach their full potential. I believe that an undisciplined mind is at the root of most every human problem and our ability to focus our mind (and act) is at the root of most every solution. Finding a form of mental practice that fits into your lifestyle and religious beliefs is as easy as finding a form of physical exercise that suits your needs. We must develop both our minds and bodies so we can increase our potential for living effectively. When we learn how to live more effectively as human beings, then we increase our ability to dedicate ourselves to a higher purpose of living.