What is Meditation?

Meditation is simply the "retraining of attention." The School of Positive Transformation says "meditation refers to a family of techniques which have in common a conscious attempt to focus attention in a non-analytical way and an attempt not to dwell on discursive, ruminating thought."

Meditation can be understood as the process of redirecting and refining our focus. According to the teachings of the School of Positive Transformation, it encompasses a variety of techniques united by a conscious effort to direct attention without analysis and avoid dwelling on wandering thoughts.

Contrary to the common misconception of meditation as a singular activity, meditation comprises a diverse range of techniques. Additionally, any moment has the potential to be a meditative experience if we bring our complete attention to it, irrespective of the activity at hand.

The fundamental commonality among these diverse meditation techniques lies in the deliberate choice to let go of distractions and fully concentrate on the present moment. This conscious decision propels us into a meditative state. The essence of meditation involves a dual focus: directing our attention and fostering a non-analytical relationship with the focal point.

Maintaining a non-analytical relationship means refraining from judgment, analysis, or excessive thought. For instance, if we focus on the blue sky and simply observe its beauty while breathing in the fresh air, we are fully immersed in the experience. Any intrusion of analytical thoughts, such as contemplating future plans or passing judgments, disrupts the meditative state.

The key to meditation lies in training our attention to remain fixed on a focal point without reacting to it. This process of retraining our attention allows us the freedom to choose where our focus lies at any given moment, enabling us to be fully present and calm. In essence, meditation is the intentional reprogramming of our attention for the purpose of achieving mindfulness and tranquility.