Fáilte go dtí Tara Celebrations - gathering to celebrate our lives and all life on earth

At a recent meditation we were reminded of Ekhart Tolle's duck story - When two ducks get into a fight, it never lasts long – they soon separate and fly off in opposite directions. Each duck then flap its wings vigorously several times. This releases the surplus energy that built up in him during the fight. After they flap their wings, they fly on peacefully as if nothing had ever happened.

The Meditation Experience

Physics informs us everything is composed of energetic particles, and these are continually interacting. This means that we and the energy around us is flowing and exchanging continually – the eastern traditions call it chi.

Some people sense these energies and changes more strongly than others. When we walk into a room or meet other people we interact with the energy of the room or person – there may be a feeling of homeliness and comfort or sometimes a feeling of disturbance, of something not 'right'. We are endlessly picking up information about a place and whatever is in the space whether we consciously realise this or not.

Setting the meditation space

Those that arrive first on the evening or the person 'leading' the evening set the ambience of the room with candles, lower the lights and often place a central candle or items that have pleasant associations for us. Whilst doing this we have an attitude of blessing the room and those that will be present. We set the intention that everything occurring during the evening is for the highest good of all.

Centering yourself on arrival

To be in balance with the room and all those in meditation with you, you can use this short exercise of centering: Close your eyes, take three deep breaths and relax. Feel your whole body in a restful state then imagine a central light somewhere in your body, it doesn't matter where – maybe your head, your heart area or around your navel.

Having established this place of light within you, you now place your attention above your head and 'see' a beautiful warm sun shining brightly. From this a golden thread of light emerges and links, through the top of your head, to the light within you. Next you imagine this light leaving your body through the soles of your feet and going deep into the earth, to the core. Be aware of the linking of yourself between the outer sun, your inner light and the centre of the earth.

Having set up your connections now imagine you are sitting in a bubble of white, blue or gold light, and that this extends about two feet from your body. Imagine expanding and contracting this light until you feel a state of comfort. You can also imagine changing it from being stationary to spinning around you. Once you have done this exercise a few times it becomes almost automatic.

Brain and Body Activity During Meditation

It is now accepted that your brain waves alter during meditation and hence bodily energy fields change and you become more open to sensing energies. In the Alpha state we are in a relaxed state of light meditation. During meditation we move between that and the Theta state.  During this type of brain activity we may experience day dreaming, creativity, meditation, paranormal phenomena, ESP or shamanic journeys.

Relaxation is a passive state, achieved by a warm bath, reclining in a chair or watching TV. Meditation is an active process. It is different to relaxation, although the two are linked. In meditation we start by concentrating on something, maybe a visualisation story, an object, music, a beautiful sunset, any activity that occupies our brains and allows us to slow down thoughts. We intentionally quieten our busy brains. We are contacting within ourselves a place that is peaceful, rejuvenating and meaningful.

There are physiological effects of meditation including reduced blood pressure and decreased metabolic rate. You will hear people's tummies rumbling. You may find you need to swallow more. As you meditate your awareness grows and you may begin to notice aches and pains in your body, or changes in temperature. When quietening your mind it becomes calmer and more aware of these day to day feelings. As you sit you will find they go away of their own accord. Sometimes they are caused by an awkward sitting position and sometimes they are just normal adjustments in your body.

Closing the meditation

With this understanding that we have been in an altered state of being, it is obvious that a meditation should be ended calmly and slowly, as different people have different experiences and we need to make sure by the end of the evening that all are back in their Beta state. It is good to bring the experience of the meditation into your consciousness of everyday life but not to be 'up in the air' with it. We do this by 'grounding'. Often we have become so accustomed to the Theta brainwave pattern that we do not recognise within ourselves that we are not in a Beta state.

We thus send a message to the brain and body that we need to be able to react and respond to the world of everyday life by doing something physical. We may ring a bell, physically touch the floor, rub our hands together and tap over your body to awaken your muscles and circulation. This is an important part of the meditation experience.

It is also a good idea to re-affirm your place on the earth by imagining yourself in the bubble of white, blue or gold light. We finish the meditation and healing evening with a drink which supports the grounding process.