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There was a time when I didn’t feel meditation was beneficial to my Being. I devoted five days a week to my Ashtanga Yoga practice in my tiny New York City apartment, and led to the assumption there wasn’t much to gain from being in a meditative state.

When I finally took the time to sit in stillness however, I found other factors which proved otherwise.

One of my best friends is a true advocate of meditation, and when I watched her in that place of “nothingness” over a decade ago I became fascinated with the practice. I eagerly wanted to enter into my own path of enlightenment, but with my beginner’s mind became cynical of its benefits.

Through years of discipline however, I have found my own place in meditation; not a form of reaction or non-reaction, but a glimpse of joy within a chaotic mind.

I had nothing to gain or lose, for all that I desired had already appeared in meditation.

“When an ordinary man attains knowledge, he is a sage; when a sage attains understanding, he is an ordinary man.” ~ Anonymous

Of course, there are experiences in my heightened awareness which led me to a better understanding of Self and others, and here are some of them:

A greater sense of calmness.

The hectic, mindless banter in one’s everyday life becomes easier to flow with—practically frictionless. Professional life no longer causes anxiety and fear. Whatever the stressor, such as deadlines, budgets or agendas are accomplished with less effort and fall into place. Moments of clarity which were rare are now more apparent; where one’s inner monologue goes completely silent.

Insight.

Circumstances perceived as problems can now be viewed as positive challenges, and solutions suggest themselves rapidly. One can diagnose problems with an inner knowing and not rely on others for the answers which are always found within.

Compassion.

Through meditation there comes a greater understanding and compassion for others, and one does not feel the weight of anger as frequently as before. In communication one can see from a broader perspective what they are projecting, without being egotistical in one’s words or deeds, as if transparent.

When one’s meditative practice deepens there is no limit to the wisdom that can be attained, but more importantly is how one can be a better instrument of healing the world.

What have I lost?

When Buddha was asked, “What have you gained from meditation?”, he replied, “It is not what I have gained that is important but rather what I have diminished, namely, greed, hatred, and delusion.”

I must admit that I am not quite there, but I can honestly say that I am happily on my way.

What awareness have you found in your meditative practice? Please share your comments below.