=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Secret #1: The True Purpose of Meditation =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-Many people feel a sense of fascination when confronted with
possibility of mystic visions, psychic intuition and heightened mental functioning. While meditators often report these sorts of improvements, these experiences should not be primary reason for practice. The purpose of meditation is to bring us back to ourselves.
As we become healthier, happier and realize greater self-awareness, other benefits of meditation begin to follow naturally -- improved mental functioning, greater intuition as well as greater access to unconscious resources and abilities.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Secret #2: Distraction Does Not Equal Failure =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Meditation is not work in sense that you have to "force" yourself to concentrate completely for long periods of time. If we consciously try to prevent thinking, it's going to have a negative impact on meditation.
Instead, whenever we become lost in thought or confusion, we simply acknowledge those thoughts and then gently return attention to object of meditation. We do this as many times as distraction or thought occurs. Eventually, mind becomes calmer and discursive thought begins to slow.
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Secret #3: Insight Alone Is Not Enough =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Insight alone will not transform our lives. Meditation is likely to help us by giving us larger perspectives and increasing clarity of thought. But although our sense of inner guidance might become stronger, unless we ACT on that guidance, we will never manifest changes we truly want in our lives.
