In order to realize awareness meditation, you need to go through the three stages of meditation. The 3 stages are:
1. Normal mind,
2. Concentration, and
3. Awareness Meditation.
1. Normal Mind: First Stage of Meditation
During normal mind stage, the mind is inundated with thoughts. This is not an optimum problem-solving state.
The mind has little real command over anything when in normal state because of the continuous thought process.
The body follows the mind’s thoughts; thoughts control the body. If mind is out of control, so is the body.
For instance, envision playing baseball. While your mind is engaged in the plays, your body follows suit. Yet, as soon as you see, for example, a car accident, your awareness turns to the automobile accident and you stop playing the game.
Naturally you understand, in your normal state of mind, your emotions, as well as your physical being are at stake.
Generally, stresses build up over time in the normal state from the constant thought process. You soon find yourself unable to concentrate on anything, and over time you can have trouble balancing all that you have to do in your everyday life. You end up losing equilibrium and are out of harmony.
That’s why normal thinking can cause you harm, both physical and emotional in the long-run.
2. Concentration: Second Stage of Meditation
The concentration stage is midway from continuous thought patterns to meditation; it’s a portal stage, if you will.
Concentration is not meditation; but being able to concentrate is great for facilitating and developing awareness mediation.
Concentration is not as effortless you might imagine; but it is readily attainable with some practice and help – yoga, herbs, beads, candles, and counting breaths are some meditation tools that work.
Concentration is merely focusing on one thing; whether one thought or one object, or one feeling. The point is staying focused.
It is natural that you will fall back into the normal stage from concentration. Get back on the proverbial horse and focus again on your chosen object. This concentration practice leads to awareness meditation.
The fact is you are succeeding at concentration when you become aware of regressing into the normal state. Your awareness of your thoughts is part of the second stage of mediation.
As you practice concentration, you will increase your ability to focus. As your concentration improves, you will develop mastery over your emotional state, resulting in much improved wellbeing in the long run
3. Awareness Meditation: Third Stage of Meditation
Awareness meditation is the stage where you do not fall back into normal mind. You effortlessly remain focused on the object of your focus.
The effortless awareness meditation not only is a state without anxiety or fear, it opens the mind and consciousness for serenity, relaxation, problem solving, creativity, and inspiration.
Even if you are a newbie meditator, think back and you’ll most likely realize you’ve entered awareness meditation states before. Recall a time when you were completely engaged, but not thinking. It was effortless flow. This is awareness meditation.
The key is to live more and more of your life in awareness meditation. It’s not tricky or some realm attainable by only a few. With practice going through the stages of meditation, anyone can enjoy awareness meditation.
Don’t fall for meditation dogma
Don’t get too wrapped up in any dogmatic instructions or methods. You don’t need to sit in any fancy way or go through rituals. Lie down or relax in your favorite chair or go for a walk. It’s the concentrating, observing, and then becoming aware that is important.