The Right Way To Meditate - East Meets West : Science vs Spirituality
The Right Way To Meditate
Even as I write the ‘right way to meditate’ (try saying that fast!), I feel uncomfortable.Because here’s the truth. I really don’t believe there is a right way to meditate (or to be honest, a lot of things, in this life – but more on those others things later ;).
In recent years, meditation and mindfulness has become so prominent within the huge wellness industry.
Medical professionals are now acknowledging the ‘benefits of meditation’ and prescribing ‘mindfulness’ courses on the NHS. Research from Brown University has shown that 'mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) can lower the risk of both distress in chronic pain, whilst individuals practising mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) were less likely to relapse back into depression.
As a person who has grown up with learning about the more spiritual forms of 'dhyana', I’ve been exposed to family members and individuals in the state of meditation.
What has been really interesting for me is to have grown up with the mindset that there is no real right way to do anything, in particular get into that 'mystical state' of meditation.
It’s only when I see apps and articles that promise to teach ‘the right way’ it really gets to me.
So here, I wanted to explore my take:
The East Meets West stance on ‘the right way to meditate’.
The Meaning of Meditation
In this modern world, when we use the word meditation, we think of the stereotypical Hindu sage or Buddhist monk.
But really, all we’re meaning or trying to explain is in Sanskrit what we would call:
Dhyana : the state of meditativeness – where one feels no distance between the thing one is focusing one’s energy upon.
‘There is a oneness, as if you’ve merged with the thing itself’ e.g. If focusing on light – it is the state in which you cannot tell where you stop and the light begins; it feels as though you’ve merged with it.*
[*Reference:How to Meditate, Jyotish Novak. Chapter 13, ‘Patanjali’s Eightfold Path’]
Is the right way to meditate to sit in silence?
It might be.
But it also doesn’t have to be.
This is what I love about debunking the myths surrounding meditation.
I hear and see a lot of people recoil in horror at the thought of sitting in silence for 10-15 minutes.
Immediately it’s: I don't have time to meditate**
(**I wrote a whole other post on that don't worry!)
I can’t sit for that long. I get bored. I fall asleep. That’s not just not for me. I don’t like being alone with my thoughts. I get distracted.
Believe me, there are times when I don’t want to do that either!
People have this impression that there’s only one way.
The beauty of dhyana is to see what works for you.
Why?
Well let’s explain with a bit of science.
What Happens During ‘meditation’ or dhyana?
Studies have shown that during meditation our brain waves move from a higher frequency to a lower frequency.
Typically, when we’re going about our everyday lives, our brain waves are oscillating as beta waves.
Beta Waves: (13-30Hz)
What happens in this state:
our conscious mind all day; analysing, thinking, working
When do I get into this state:
majority of the day! when you're working/awake
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For reference, I’ve included some other brain wave states!
Alpha Brain Wave state (9-13 Hz)
What happens in this state:
When do I get into this state:
when doing a mindfulness meditation eg. when using the HeadSpace App/after a particularly relaxing activity
Theta Brain Wave states (4-8Hz) –
What happens in this state:
access to our subconscious minds; gateway to learning & memory
What does it feel like:
deep meditation/sleep
Delta Brain Wave States (0.5-3Hz) –
What happens in this state:
state that stimulates healing and regeneration
(why deep restorative sleep is so important)
When do I get into this state:
in deepest meditation & dreamless sleep
What Gets You Into A State of Meditation?
It might be the more traditional breathing techniques
Or it might be completely different.
And that’s okay.
Unless you’re the type to have a few electrodes handy to measure your brain’s electrical activity, you, I and the Average Joe on the street may not be able to monitor our brain wave states or even heart-brain coherence daily.
But for now make a mental note of this.
There is no real way to meditate.
It might be cooking, it might be reading. It might be calligraphy or knitting.
It might be listening to or playing music. It may be practicing a form of yoga.
Whatever thing it is that allows you access to a lower brain wave frequency state by immersing yourself in one thing completely and that relaxes your body and your heart-rate, where you may become ‘one’ with it?
That’s the state of dhyana &
that’s the right way to meditate, for you.
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If you’d like me to do a post on the different brain wave states, then let me know.
If you liked this post, you may also like:
'I don't have enough time to meditate!'
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Until the next time,
Namaste, from Ananya
Xo