kundalini reiki meditation
There really are differences between the various forms of meditation practice. My students will often ask me about this so, without getting too historical or too spiritual, this article will be my practical and everyday answer. It will be based on my years of teaching and what I have observed in my own classes with my own students.
I teach traditional meditation classes. I also provide training in Kundalini Reiki meditation. The use of different verbs to describe my professional activity is not a slip of the keyboard. That will become our starting point for comparison.
Structure
Traditional meditation unfolds at a glacial pace. It is layer by layer, hour by hour, year by year. It was more than a few decades ago, in Japan, that I began this process. Flickering candles, rapid breathing, chanting and icy waterfalls were all practiced and then eventually left behind. I credit my health and my current life to the years spent on this traditional discipline. Clearly, it has great value, but it is not so easy to achieve in the retail environment.
Traditional meditation can build reliance on the teacher. A student taking a weekly meditation class has six days to drift off course. Returning the following week, the teacher must warm the student up, re-pointed them in the right direction and start them on their way, all over again. Progress can be slow because few of us live inside of a meditation sanctuary. There are so many important daily distractions (family, career, financial responsibilities) that the meditation process becomes diluted. Many students can not dedicate themselves to the long process and they let the benefits of a disciplined mind slip away. Even attending the occasional weekend retreat, is insufficient for maintaining progress.
Kundalini Reiki meditation is a bit more finite. The basic training program that I have developed consists of one session a week, for nine weeks. It is learning by doing. The teacher leads the way, the student follows. For the next six days, the student repeats the exercise, on their own. It is through this daily practice that the student cements their ability to repeatedly find and benefit from their own deeper space. Continued regular involvement with the teacher is not really required. With a five minute daily practice, the benefits are self sustaining.
Communication
Traditional meditation classes tend to be more verbal. Words or phrases can be used to guide the students, provide a point of focus, a bit of motivation and sometimes, even a little entertainment. All of these are useful, because they keep the class practicing the basics, over and over, which it what it is all about.
Training in Kundalini Reiki meditation is non verbal. The teacher guides the therapeutic energy of Kundalini Reiki (KR) into the meditation, allowing the students to smoothly go to their deeper level. After the session, there may be some discussion. I will often describe something that I saw or felt during the meditation and ask if someone else had the same experience . When the hand goes up, it is an eye opening moment for the class. It is also very satisfying.
Direction
Traditional meditation tends to be an inward journey of self exploration and understanding. It involves more mental concentration that can difficult for some students.
Kundalini Reiki meditation is outward looking. The practice is based on opening up to the world and engaging the limitless possibilities around us. It is accessible and attainable to people in all walks of life.
Purpose
Traditional meditation encourages observation, reflection and consideration.
Kundalini Reiki meditation is a powerful therapeutic tool that works to release the emotional and mental constraints that we often carry around, year after year. Free from this dead weight, less stress, clear vision and decisive action are more easily realized.
Similarities
All meditations are beneficial. Any meditation is better than no meditation. Find a teacher, learn from them and move on.
This article was considered, prepared and written by
Lisa Okochi, Director
Mind Body Performance Management