Enter the Stillness

Scores of books have been written on the subject, but coming up with a clear, concise definition is quite another matter all together. Some call it prayer's partner. In the quiet, in the stillness, the moment presents itself. When the outside world fades into nothingness, and the inside heart space becomes the reigning kingdom, thoughts like tiny boats on a glistening sunlit river drift by.

This is meditation, at least one description of it. Meditate alone wrapped in a blanket, meditate in a group sitting in a comfortable chair, meditate with a guide or a guru, read a book on it, take a class on it, load an app on it, listen to meditative music during it, use a mantra, light a candle, find your own meditation path.

Unity is well known as a philosophy, a way of life, with churches/centers the world over, one right here in Westlake, that practices meditation as part of every Sunday Service. I queried a few friends for their definition of meditation.

Terri replied that "meditation is the practice of making oneself available to experience the present moment in the deepest, quietest place within yourself. In that very deep, quiet interior space one lets go of consciousness of the outer world (thoughts) and has consciousness of a vastness within that is unimaginable from the realm of thought and activity."

For Michele, "Meditation is being in the moment, letting go of what you have to do for a period of time to get centered and just breathe." No assembling of shopping lists during meditation, you focus on the importance of the awareness of your own breath, and let the list be created at yet another time.

Bruce, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, was taught meditation by a Native American Elder. He learned meditation is an intentional focus of allowing. The practice occurs in the present, and affirms sacred connectedness to everything within the universe. This alignment of self concurrently aligns him with the sacred energy of unconditional love which infinitely permeates all that is.

Pam feels it's a quiet time to reflect or pray, or with eyes closed listen to music.

Unity Spiritual Center of Westlake offers two weekly meditations on Wednesdays, noon to 12:30 p.m., and Sundays, 7:30-8:30 a.m. For information, call 440-835-0400 or email unityinfo@unityspiritualcenter.com. Unity's free app, uPray, allows you to meditate and refresh for 3 minutes and away you go.