Beauty Parlor For the Soul – Meditation

Most often, when the word 'meditation' is mentioned, the image that comes to mind is that of a person, with his or her eyes shut, trying to block distractions and looking for an inner bliss that has no definition or form. Where and what exactly is being sought is a mystery, and most often remains one. However, meditation is the simplest mode you can slip into; without having to shut your eyes and sit in a particular posture, at a particular time and in a particular place. The misconception is largely due to images marketed to further the interests of those capitalizing on the art.

Meditation is nothing but concentration. It happens easily when you apply yourself whole heartedly to a task. You don't have to make a deliberate attempt to focus. Meditation can be made an everyday affair, adding quality to every moment of interaction and tasks attempted. It involves a concentrated effort, without any forced imposition upon the senses or the environment in which you work. If a student is able to study well even in a noisy environment, it is meditation. If you are able to enjoy the train ride back home after work, without pondering over the next day's work or the boss' reaction to your presentation that morning, it is meditation.

You are genetically crafted to meditate. It is not an art that can only be learned by signing into some extravagant work shop or commune. Not that they don't help. They do. Within an environment that is created to lead you into the meditation mode with the help of external stimulants like music and lighting, behind jarred doors. These stimulants are available outside too. What stops you from generating the same at home? There are a number of these centers that boast of great natural settings. However, if you check them out, the natural surroundings are created within an enclosure. It is not as if they teach you to meditate amidst the sounds and activities of daily life that you will ultimately return to. The natural confines come with walls and gates. I remember overhearing a conversation with an enlightened soul at a corneal transplant camp that changed the way I thought. A follower asked the master if she could stay on at the hermitage because she was able to forget home and find solace and peace while performing duties in the master's presence. The master simply said, "Don't crave to make the hermitage your home, instead make your home a hermitage!" So profound, and so true.

If you are reading, then do complete justice to the written content, the author's efforts and the leisure time you have on hand. Similarly, if you are analyzing the stock market, then do just that, without getting distracted. If this kind of an approach is maintained, not only do we keep improvising on the tasks we handle, but we also sharpen our intellect and optimize the resources at hand. Meditation is nothing but a completeness in whatever you do.

The young master was famed throughout the land for the depth and level of meditation he was able to achieve. He had never succumbed to any distractions. And, he always maintained that there was never a moment without meditation. The king of the land heard about this young fellow and finding him too young to be called 'master', he decided to test him. Kings have strange ways you know, and the subjects are made guinea pigs! Well, the master also had strange ways you know, his actions always sprung from a deeper understanding. He accepted the king's invitation.

The king arranged the invitation to coincide with annual festivities. A pathway was created through the most decorated streets in the kingdom, with the most talented dancers, musicians, jugglers, craftsmen, acrobats, and magicians lining the walk. These were, of course, positioned to distract the young man as he attempted the task that the king would 'command' him to accept. The master arrived amidst the festivities. No airs; youthful, simple, and yet so serene. There was music and the aroma of great food all around. He was greeted by the king and made comfortable. After answering the spiritual queries of some ministers, the king asked him to tour the capital. However, the condition was that he had to balance a glass of water on his forehead! If a single drop fell, he would have to abide by any punitive action the king would then enforce.

Agreeing, the young man set off. The guards led him along the preplanned route. Women danced suggestively around him, showered him with flower petals and sang beautiful tunes. The magicians were a feast for the eyes. They made things appear and disappear out of thin air and kept removing scarves and flowers and coins from the young man's person. The musicians played fine, melodious tunes around the master, while the guards did nothing but clear just enough room for him to walk through. He returned after an hour as amused with the king's condition as the king was astonished at the fact that the glass of water was intact...no spillage and no stop for rest!

The king accepted defeat. Humbled, he asked the young master to sit down and share his wisdom. He asked him to be truthful about whether or not the women who danced about him had any effect on his movement or the task...whether or not the famed magicians inspired awe at the display of their art and whether or not his gait was affected whenever the drums took on a new beat. The master seemed oblivious to all of them. He said, "I had a task to perform, and I did just that. How could I dilute the task with another? Had I not been given the challenge, I would have enjoyed the pleasurable sights".

It is in distraction from what what we have on hand that we slip out of meditation mode. Agreed that our lifestyles today are very hectic and demand that we multi-task. Nevertheless, as humans we can only do one thing at a time. Surely you can't be at the grocery store and negotiate an important business deal at the same time. And, even if you attempt to do so, the result is bound to be devoid of quality and focus. Meditation in such a scenario would ideally relate to enjoy buying the groceries by checking out price options, different companies on the racks, quality of the products, ingredients for that Shepherd's Pie that you have to put together and billing mentally while the attendant does so on the computing machine. Just enjoy the experience in totality and then move on to the next.

"I had a task to perform, and I did just that".

Meditation is nothing but concentrating on the present moment. You could be at the florist, at a presentation, at a fair, at home and in the kitchen, researching online, driving the car, swimming or skiing in Switzerland. Just be there and a part of the experience in totality. And if sitting with your eyes shut is what you want to experiment with, go ahead do just that. There is no denying that time alone and deep within is very rejuvenating. Nevertheless, know that this can be done anytime and anywhere. Focussing on the present moment is meditation! Every moment is a workshop in meditation.

The blemishes of ignorant indulgence can effectively removed with the balm of meditation.