Basics of Meditation: What is Meditation?

Meditation has become very popular in recent years, and many people include it in their daily routine. But there are just as many people who wonder about what meditation is. And some have an idea about it but just don't know where to start. Whether you are looking to learn meditation for beginners, in search for guided meditations or interested in learning a 5-minute or 10-minute meditation for a quick relaxation session, let’s begin by explaining what meditation is.  

First of all, when we truly meditate, we experience different states of consciousness. It's akin to moving on to a completely different realm. So much so that what meditation is cannot be explained in a couple of minutes. I am someone who has devoted herself to this. I have been meditating for over 20 years. And it goes without saying that meditation is not a quick stroll in the park but a long, long journey. We tap into very different mental layers during this journey and experience completely different states. Therefore, it is essential to work with a teacher who will guide you on your meditation journey. Having a teacher who will answer your questions at each new level you reach and whom you can talk to about your experiences is not only useful but also necessary. This way, you can make sure you're meditating correctly and realize the main purpose of meditation. 

1. What is meditation not?  

Before moving on to what meditation is, let me first say what it is not because there is a lot of misconception about this. In order to have a proper meditation experience, it is necessary to overcome these misunderstandings first. Meditation is not a method for relaxing, for making ourselves feel better and more positive. But people who meditate regularly are naturally peaceful, as they are at peace with all levels of their humanity. They harbor no darkness because they do not pursue the light. They don't know unhappiness because they do not pursue happiness. They do not attribute meaning to certain things in life and succeed in remaining neutral, so they can view life objectively. Therefore, meditation brings us to a much more balanced mood.  

2. What is the difference between meditation and mindfulness practices?  

When learning what meditation is, it is also extremely important to distinguish it from similar practices. Meditation and mindfulness are often confused with each other. The main difference is that meditation is not done under someone's guidance. The practices carried out under someone's guidance are mindfulness and awareness work that help us deepen. On the other hand, meditation involves a state where we are alone with ourselves and turn to our inner world. 

3. What is meditation?  

Now that we have pointed out what meditation is not, let's take a short look at what it is. 

 ● At the most fundamental level, meditation is a journey where we face ourselves.  

Meditation brings suppressed emotions to the surface and helps us comfortably handle the concerns and anxieties related to these emotions. When we get into the habit of meditating regularly, we learn to face ourselves. We master the art of understanding our own feelings and thoughts and get to know our beliefs and values. These new abilities help us become spiritually strong individuals.  

● Meditation is about freeing the mind.  

All-day long, we often struggle with thoughts that pass through our minds. Meditation makes it possible to liberate the mind and calm down all the noise, allowing thoughts to flow without focusing on them. Being in the moment and enhancing awareness are elemental in meditation. By learning to stay at our center, we learn to relieve the intensity of our emotions and thoughts. 

● Meditation is about giving up the effort.  

In its most classical form, meditation is about stopping "doing." It is about putting aside that part of us that constantly tries and runs and does all day and experiencing a simpler and calmer state instead. This simplicity and absence of effort improve our ability to let life be. As a result, we gain the strength we need to embrace life and allow what needs to happen. 

● Meditation is about connecting with our essence. 

I've already pointed out that an effortless state of being is the basis of meditation. The more we can let go of the effort, the more we connect with the truth, our essence, and our own being. We manage to overcome ourself, which often denies the flow of life and tries to swim upstream. Instead, we reach a more authentic state of being. Our true spiritual strength emerges and develops from this state of effortlessness.  

● Meditation is about expanding our being.   

When practiced correctly, meditation expands and deepens us. It magnifies our state of being. As we remain in a meditative state, our consciousness expands while we experience a state of effortlessness and cross a threshold.  

● Meditation is about learning to control our mind. 

With proper meditation practice, we master how to manage our mind. We learn to transparently face our thought patterns, belief systems, and value judgments that shape our subjective life experiences. When we face our inner world, we gain the strength we need to gain control of it. And thus, meditation opens up space for dismantling the mental patterns that hinder us and building useful ones in their place.  

I hope you find these useful. As always, please do send us your questions and comments about meditation and I will do my best to answer these in the upcoming days.