WHY EMBODIED MEDITATIONS?
Meditation Techniques versus the State of Meditation
There is an important distinction to be made between a meditation technique and the state of meditation. Techniques are not the state. They simply prepare the ground for meditation to happen. While techniques can be useful in pointing the way, in themselves they are not meditation. Rather, meditation or mindfulness is ultimately a state of being in which we are capable of both action and stillness, work and play, and able to be fully present to each moment of life as it comes.
A relaxed and alert state of consciousness brings us to simply witnessing, or watching: watching the body and its movements and even watching the mind, which is more difficult because thoughts are more subtle and continuously coming and going. Finally, we develop the capacity to watch how emotions come and go - moments of transparency, moments when nothing stirs in you and everything is still. This can become a part of daily life and not something separate to be practiced at certain times.
Active Meditation versus Passive Meditation
Active meditation techniques use unorthodox, non-traditional methods such as high-energy body movements, dance, emotional release, and rapid chaotic breathing; whereas passive meditation techniques involve more silent sitting methods, listening, or as in Zazen, simply doing nothing.
Why is Active Meditation Important?
Passive meditation techniques can be difficult when we lead such busy lives and accumulate stress in the body and mind. This is why active meditations are needed. Meditations starting with the body helps us become aware of what we can observe in the thoughts and sensations of the body-mind complex. They first release the tensions and stress of the body and mind. Then, it is easier to relax into an experience of still and watchfulness, awareness. They can help us cope better with hectic, stressful lifestyles so that relaxation is more easily experienced. They are revolutionary and can be essentially described as the art of living.
Meditation as a Tool
If you want to live a more fulfilled life, first you will want to know your potential, who you really are. Meditation is the route to that knowing. It is the mythology of the science of awareness. The beauty of this inner science is that it enables whoever wants to explore and to experience within, to do so alone. This eliminates dependence on an outer authority, the need to be affiliated with any organization, and the obligation to accept a certain ideology. Once you understand the steps, you walk the walk in your own, individual way.
In the meditation methods Art of Flow offers, everyone can find a technique that supports their growth process and deepen the connection with oneself and life. In this way, meditation is incredible self-empowerment, because we are the one providing the space for ourselves to open into more:
Awareness
Relaxation
A non-judgmental attitude to ourselves and others
What happens in our personal meditation is independent from any outer influence. It is about us and our connection to ourselves. All our energy goes inside - an incredible empowerment for our own strength, into being here and now.
Meditative Therapy
Meditative Therapy is not just a method to solve personal problems, but also prepares and leads a person towards meditation. Therapy can be defined as a way to create a state of well-being within the body and mind, while meditation leads to a state that is beyond the mind. Peace, harmony and personal fulfillment are never fully possible within the dimension of mind because mind by its nature is a problem-creating mechanism. If you solve one problem, it will inevitably create another. If you find the answer to one question, many more questions arise.
That is why some mystics have likened the mind to a tree that is being pruned or trimmed: you cut off one branch and in response, the tree grows many branches in its place. The real solution is to step outside the dimension of mind and enter the dimension of No Mind in which silence, peace ,and bliss are experienced naturally. Meditation techniques are ways to arrive at such a state.