Meditation is a practice of inner exploration that helps calm the mind, stabilize the body, and discover the stillness at the core of our existence. It can be simply defined as a way of quieting the mind and being fully present in the moment, allowing the body and mind to connect and come into harmony.
Imagine life as a wheel — constantly turning, moving, and shifting. What drives the wheel? The axis — the still point around which everything revolves. Meditation is the art of seeking that axis within yourself. The axis represents stillness, balance, and peace — the foundation from which the wheel of life spins.
In meditation, your body and mind work like the wheel and the axis. Your body is like the wheel, constantly moving through life, while your mind is like the axis, remaining still and stable. Through deep meditation, you reverse this: your mind becomes the wheel, and your breath becomes the axis — the steady center that guides your journey.
As you meditate deeper, the breath becomes the wheel, and stillness becomes the axis, leading you to a state of pure peace — a place where there is nothingness or the void, the pure state of the universe.
Your life, much like the waves in a pond, is constantly shifting and reacting to the world around you. The stone you drop in the pond is like your birth — it creates waves that never cease. But to find true peace, you must go beyond the waves and seek the axis. The waves are a part of the journey, but to find inner peace, you need to swim to the stillness at the center, the place where the waters are calm.
Steps to Meditation: A Simple Practice for Beginners
Step 1: Choose the Right Time and Place
Best Time: Early mornings (6–9 AM) or evenings (4–7 PM) are ideal because these are naturally quieter times in the day.
Best Place: Find a peaceful, natural environment. Being near water (like a lake, river, or sea) or mountains can help create a serene atmosphere. If you can’t be outside, create a peaceful space indoors with soft lighting and calm surroundings.
Step 2: Settle into a Comfortable Position
Sit Comfortably: Sit down in a cross-legged position on the ground, or in a comfortable chair with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
Hands Together: Place your hands gently on your lap or together in front of your chest, palms touching to bring balance to the body.
Close Your Eyes: Gently close your eyes to reduce distractions and bring your focus inward.
Step 3: Connect with Your Surroundings
Feel the Flow: Begin by observing the sensations in your body and the sounds around you. Let the environment slowly fade as you bring your focus inward.
Awareness of Body: Gradually shift your awareness inside your body, paying attention to how you feel — the subtle movement of energy or tension.
Step 4: Focus on Your Breath
Breathe Naturally: Start by simply observing your breath. It comes and goes, without any effort. Just notice the natural flow of air entering and exiting your body.
Body as a Balloon: Imagine your body as a balloon. With every inhale, your body expands slightly, and with every exhale, it contracts. Focus on the gentle rise and fall.
Step 5: Shift Focus to the Breath as the Axis
Axis of Breath: Now, shift your focus from your body to your breath. Imagine the air you breathe is the axis that gives life and balance to your body. As you inhale and exhale, the breath becomes the stable force, the still point.
Feel the Stillness: As you concentrate on your breath, you may start to feel a sense of stillness and calmness filling you. You are not just in your body anymore — you are becoming something greater. You may even feel a sense of being eternal, connected to everything around you.
Step 6: Deepen the Practice
Let Go of Distractions: If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the breath. Allow your thoughts to come and go without attachment. Trust that the stillness is always there, even when your mind seems restless.
Let the Breath Become the Wheel: The more you meditate, the more the breath becomes the central force, and the mind fades into stillness. Continue focusing on the breath, feeling it expand and contract like a wheel, while the axis of stillness remains unshaken.
Step 7: Sink Deeper into Peace
Access the Void: As you continue your practice, you may begin to feel a sense of pure peace, the void, or nothingness. This is the space where the universe begins and ends, where time and form dissolve, and only pure existence remains.
Allow the Peace to Fill You: In this state, feel that your body and mind are no longer separate. You are part of everything — connected to the universe and all its rhythms.
Final Thought: Meditation is a Journey
Meditation is not about escaping life; it’s about understanding it deeply. By seeking the axis of stillness within yourself, you tap into the core of your being — the eternal peace that underlies all things. As you meditate, you will begin to experience the quiet center where the waves of life cannot disturb you. It is from this place of stillness that you can approach life with clarity, peace, and strength.
Remember:
The axis is your core of stillness — the unshakable foundation of life.
The wheel is your ever-moving body and mind.
Meditation is the practice of finding balance between the two, where peace and movement coexist.
Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find that the axis is always there, guiding you towards the quiet, peaceful state that exists beyond the waves of life.
