In yesterday's pen work, I completed the chapter of "Zeng Guofan's Twelve Daily Lessons: Practice and Cherish the Inner Spirit", although it is only 2,000 words, it is like a journey of thousands of miles. If every piece of knowledge and every truth is only circling in our minds, we may think that we have understood its essence, but if we want to translate it into words and teach it to others, we will find that it is not thorough. This is the process by which we think deeply, understand and articulate ourselves. When we are able to articulate a truth clearly, we truly grasp it.
Therefore, I decided to deeply analyze Zeng Guofan's "Twelve Daily Lessons", in order to open up my "two veins of appointment and supervision". Today, we are the second one – meditation.
Meditation is the practice of meditation for four moments every day, regardless of the time of day, to experience inner peace and the return of benevolence. As Zeng Guofan said, sitting upright and concentrating is like the town of Baoding. Meditation is about concentrating the mind on the breath and calming the chaotic mind, rather than letting it run like a wild horse.
Whether it's meditation, meditation or Confucian meditation, the core is to focus on the breath and feel its flow in the body, so as to eliminate distracting thoughts and achieve spiritual purification. When the mind is completely calm, we can feel the birth of masculinity, the return of the heart of benevolence and righteousness, which is the state of sitting and concentrating.
But why is it so difficult for us to meditate? It is often because the mind is full of delusions, such as dreams of getting rich overnight, fantasies of being favored by others, or daydreams that are beyond reality. These thoughts occupy our mind space and make us distracted and unable to focus on reality. Just as I was anxious about not writing well some time ago, and even wanted to give up, it was the distractions in my heart that caused trouble. Realizing this, I began to meditate for at least ten minutes a day, and although it was difficult to meditate at first, I persevered and eventually found inner peace.
The benefits of meditation are many: it helps physical and mental health, improves concentration, promotes moral and spiritual growth, helps us to introspect, and strengthens our physique. In the fast-paced modern life, we especially need to find a balance between body and mind through meditation.
How do I start meditating? First, choose a quiet, well-lit environment and do it at a fixed time each day. Second, adjust your body position, keep your back straight and your head slightly raised. Then, breathe naturally and focus your attention on your breathing. When distracting thoughts arise, gently guide attention back. Be consistent and gradually increase the amount of time you sit. Finally, relax and enjoy the process of meditation.
Meditation is not about achieving a specific goal, but about enjoying the peace and harmony of the present moment. If you have a better meditation experience, please leave a message to share, and let's work together**. In this chaotic world, let's start by meditating and cultivating a strong heart.