Frequently asked questions

 

 

  • What is meditation?

Meditation is relaxation. Relaxation creates the needed balance with the tension in your life. Because we are so conditioned to tension, we do not know the true state of relaxation. Deep relaxation, meditation, is a spiritual space. It is a stop in time. It is much more than "kicking back".

In meditation, in a truly relaxed state, you learn who you are, and who you are not. You learn that life is about learning, that all are lessons. This is where I come in, to assist you in sorting out the truth. This is often needed, because of our conditioning to an insane world. I teach meditation methods, designed to free you from energies that keep you stuck in old negative patterns. In meditation you learn that you are one, that you are love, that your power is in being, that you are free.

The word meditation can be used three ways. It commonly means contemplation or insightful thinking. This the usual dictionary definition. To those who meditate, meditation refers to a method. There are methods to relax, to heal, and to discover the realities of silence, beyond our chattering mind. J. Krishnamurti, Osho, and other great teachers or masters, have used the word meditation to denote the consciousness of the transcendental reality itself, what the Zen people call no-mind.

Meditation practice eventually leads us to meditative consciousness. This inner state of awareness is not easily described, as it is beyond thought. It is being. Being of our true self, in a timeless present moment. This is a world apart from our normal ego, knowledge based, and programmed life. Meditation is superconsciousness, free, unbounded, undefined, and unencumbered by our conditioning. It is where change and transformation occurs. Where healing happens. Where joy, creativity, and love originate. It is a silent nothingness, that is wonderfully alive and vibrant.

Meditation consciousness would be our natural state of awareness, were we not living according to a consciousness conditioned to misery. We find meditation, not by willing it, actively seeking it, or doing something, but by letting go of that which is in the way of its natural occurrence. Meditation methods assist us in observing our truth, saying amen or yes to what we find, and letting go or surrendering what is false.

Sometimes this wonderful state of meditation is discovered accidentally, by just relaxing in a beautiful natural setting. Many people have glimpsed this reality for only a moment. Some have felt the meditative consciousness from just being close to someone who is centered in it. These tastes are helpful because they provide a sense that the transcendental reality of meditation is real. Yet, it seems for most this consciousness will always be denied or considered a myth.

Meditation is often tried as a last resort, after all medication and other therapies have failed. Many come to meditation as a turning point, to find a way past a crisis, heal stress or an illness, or transform a life of misery. Meditation works, but medication remains the popular choice because meditation is not a fast, cheap, and easy fix. It is an inquiry into one's being. It is asking hard questions and soul searching. One eventually arrives at bliss, but not before some rude awakenings. A good sense of humor and plenty of heart, however, are all that is needed. My work is to inspire, encourage and guide you to rediscover your true nature. Meditative consciousness adds quality to life. And it is the true healing of mind, body, and spirit.

 

 

  • What if I tried meditation and it didn't work for me?

Millions of people have tried to meditate and quit, disappointed by failing to achieve some promised result. This is a normal and predictable outcome when trying an inappropriate method, or meditating without proper guidance or understanding.

As we begin to meditate, we first become more aware of our thoughts. We find more thinking, not less. We find more confusion, not less. We find more desires, not less. If we believed our thinking was going to immediately stop in meditation, our disappointment might cause us to quit.

Meditation heals many illnesses by increasing awareness of the body. As we begin to meditate, feelings in the body become more apparent. I teach meditations designed to facilitate our moving through feelings that otherwise may feel too intense and without end. These meditations encourage cathartic releases of emotions and repressed energy (feelings held in from the past). These meditations are immensely healing to mind, body, and spirit.

In meditation, we move deeper into ourselves. Yet, because this is an unexplored and uncharted sea, we may feel unsure and unsafe. I offer encouragement to continue through these times. The conditioned mind set will always create doubt and advise against meditation. Meditation is like a sea voyage, it is not always smooth sailing, yet the destination is assuredly a paradise.

Some people quit meditating - because it works! Why? Because should you change, really change, who would you be? You must be willing to not know yourself. In meditation, you gradually become aware of who you are and who you are not. You may learn the truth that you are lovable, blessed, and free. If you wish to remain attached to your life being a misery, meditation may not be for you.

 

  • Are there many meditation methods?

There are hundreds of meditation techniques. In my meditation counseling work I often introduce and recommend new methods, especially to those having difficulties. Often, this is all that is needed.

I love the meditations from Osho, a profound mystic and master. Many of these are movement meditations and are done to music. They are available on CD and audio tape. These techniques are wonderful and powerful!

 

  • Are Chi Gung and Tantra also meditations?

Chi Gung is the essence of all the martial arts, yet it is not a martial art, but meditation. Chi Gung has been my meditation practice for years, since it has helped heal an injury to my neck and back. I was treated by orthopedic specialists, chiropractors, and all the rest, but no treatment helped me, except Chi Gung. And like all meditations, it is extremely simple and easy to do. I do Chan Mi Gung, a secret Buddhist method, that involves movements of the spine.

Tantra is meditation in sexual union. I don't consider Tantra to be a technique, but as meditative awareness during love making. As you meditate, meditation becomes integrated in you, you find yourself more meditative in many activities, including sex. When you can relax during sexual union, the whole dynamic transforms. What was only tension and release becomes heartfully loving, orgasmic, timeless, and incredibly fulfilling.

 

  • What does counseling have to do with meditation?

Meditation is a movement of consciousness into our deeper selves. This is a world unto itself that we are not conditioned to, or are generally aware of. It is at first a dark world. The way is not clear to follow, and beginners often give up. With anything new there are apprehensions and difficulties. And with meditation there is a rare challenge, because our normal thinking is against meditation. This sounds strange, yet it is true. This is because we are conditioned to be against change, even though we may know we need it. Our mind wants us secure, not venturing into the unknown, and particularly not seeking anything beyond itself. Our mind wants us surviving, and is attached to what has worked thus far. But is mere survival enough? Life must be lived, and awareness of who we truly are is invaluable to be really alive.

It is immensely helpful to have a guide. I assist you where you get stuck, lost, or frightened. I have traveled this road for twenty years and I know the pitfalls, the shortcuts, and how easily your mind can play tricks on you. The rewards, however, are spectacular and worth any trouble along the journey. Besides, what choice do you have? We are discussing you finding yourself, and nothing less.

 

  • Is meditation religion?

Meditation is not religion, but meditation ultimately leads to religiousness. We normally think of religion as belief, morality, ideology, ritual, and tradition. As we venture deeply into meditation, we go beyond thinking and beliefs to experience a spiritual reality hiding inside us. This religiousness either replaces the religion we were brought up with, or gives us fresh eyes to see its' benediction.

 

  • Is meditation better in a group?

For many, meditation groups are helpful. I have led these groups for years. Yet, for others, meditation done in private is best. It is good to trust yourself and how you feel, and sometimes one must risk and try new things. Meditation is essentially a practice of exploration and experimentation. It is venturing into ones self, learning to trust oneself, and in so doing to be able to trust life.

Meditation is wonderful and yet it is surprising how easily we forget about it, or only talk about it. Notice in meditation, how your mind will seduce you out of your meditation, by reminding you of anything mundane. Because of this trick of the mind, commitment to a group, or a discipline is beneficial.

 

  • How does meditation reduce stress?

Meditation is the antidote to stress. In meditation, we realize the cause of our tension and stress. Once this has been understood, relaxation naturally follows.

There are many methods to this relaxation. One of the best is called Dynamic Meditation. Surprisingly, it uses tension as a vehicle to relaxation. It is a cathartic meditation, in which one lets all kinds of repressed emotions go by expressing them. This is a totally rejuvenating process because as the feelings are emoted, the energy that was necessary to hold them in becomes available! I have taught these meditations to individuals, in groups, and to corporate clients.

Are you an insomniac? I sell a tape that I created which really helps. It is very different from other tapes and it works in two ways. On the tape, I instruct you not to try to fall asleep, but to try and stay awake to understand what I am saying. The tape is about meditation and explains much about the process. What can happen is that you easily fall asleep, even though you are trying to remain awake! This works because your conditioned mindset will put you to sleep, rather than allow you to hear what I have to say about meditation. The second way this tape works is also different. By listening to the tape and gaining insight into meditation, you can then practice some techniques that will allow you to relax and sleep. So, either way you can sleep. By the way, I offer a 100% money back guarantee that you will like it.

 

  • How is meditation healing?

Meditation heals many diseases. This is understandable because many diseases are dis-eases, caused by tension and stress. And meditation is the antidote for tension and stress.

We have been brought up and conditioned to repress our feelings. For example, most men were taught never to cry, and many women were brought up not to show or be angry. There is much more to this, of course, but my point is that repressed feelings such as these are held inside ourselves. These repressed feelings are energy, they are held in tension, by other energies, and cause much dis-ease. I teach meditations designed to free ourselves of these inner repressed tensions. Healing changes then happen effortlessly and naturally.

 

  • Can meditation improve communicating and relating?

Definitely! Meditation is a method to become more aware. Aware of feelings, sensibilities, intuition, thoughts, and behaviors. The more aware of how we are, the more we naturally grow, transform, change, and evolve. As we mature in awareness, we become more accepting and responsible. The more aware we are of ourselves, the more aware we are of others. This furthers all communication.

Meditation fosters relating as it is a function of being aware and being present.The essence of communication is a connection of mutual acceptance in the present moment. Meditation brings us more and more into this present moment. This is when all communication actually happens.

 

  • What do you mean by meditation is being of one mind?

In meditation, we observe. This observation is like a light into the darkness of our mind. And, we can change anything that we totally see about ourselves.

We see that we are seldom of one mind. We observe that our thought process is often confused, ambivalent, dualistic, and reactionary. By observing that we are not of one mind, we soon find the way to be of one mind. Meditation eventually brings us to being. Being is a state of one mind, or oneness, a reality beyond divisive thought.

 

  • Who are you and should I trust you?

My name is Arthur D. Saftlas. I have been a meditator for 25 years and a counselor for fifteen years. I consider myself an expert on the subject of meditation for what may sound like an odd reason. I was such a no-sayer and know-it-all, that my own awakening was an incredibly slow and difficult process. My own stubbornness and resistance has taught me well how to help others through their difficulties on the path to themselves.

I never ask anyone to trust me, believe me, or believe anything at all. When you are open, any truth you hear will be self evident. You will not have to believe what you hear, because you will know that what you hear is true. Truth always resonates inside us, it is a most wonderful part of life's design. My advice is simply that we remain open and available to perceive, explore, and experiment.

Openness and trust go hand in hand. In meditation, we venture deeper and deeper into mystery. We do not find more knowledge and hard facts, we find peace, love, and other treasures buried inside us. This is a mystery of true wonder, that can never be found by a doubting mind.

 

 

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