Transformation Tools: Meditation
Introduction
Meditation is a critical skill for all occult and contemplative studies. In fact, it’s the one skill that is universal across all paths and disciplines. Meditation develops the ability to train and focus one’s mind on one and only one object or idea or intent, including the ability to empty oneself of all objects of focus. Yet for the new initiate, this can be an elusive to develop, especially if one finds oneself thrown into an experienced team of meditators and the skill is already assumed.
Some people are fortunate enough to have been raised around meditators or contemplatives. Too few of us have grown up without grandparents who teach us the sublime joy of quietly watching clouds, details of a flower, or ants. Modern commercialized life has the opposite messages: Inaction is boredom; Radio, TV, computers, telephone keep us connected, up-to-date, stimulated, and entertained; the solitary individual is suspect. Silence actually makes some people nervous and uncomfortable. It’s not surprising that many find meditation difficult, but that’s why it’s called a discipline. There is a Vedic analogy that the body is a chariot; the emotions are the horses pulling the chariot; the mind is the charioteer; and the soul is the king riding in the chariot. If the body is not kept in good health, the chariot goes nowhere. If the horses (emotions) run wild and the mind cannot control them, the chariot comes to ruin. When the chariot is well maintained and the horses are under control, then the charioteer (mind) can hear the desires of the king (soul) and progress along the desired path. This is what meditation is all about –to tune the mind to hear the desires of the soul.
There are a number of techniques that can help the beginning meditator. Most of these involve tools to help occupy the various “voices” in the mind with the same goal. As you progress, some of these techniques either become unconscious and automatic, or they become burdensome and are discarded like safety wheels on a bicycle. It is a highly personal development. The techniques discussed here will focus on meditation, not scrying, divination, or other shamanic visualizations. These are often confused by the beginner because the outward appearance is very similar. Meditation is the centering and focusing of the mind on to a singular point. Scrying and visualizations are the opening of the mind to powers outside as well as within. The discipline brought through meditation is a necessary skill to facilitate and discern these visualization arts.
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