It teaches one to tune out all the noises of the mind and outer world, so that only a pure state of awareness exists. Untouched by emotion or belief. It is closer to what you actually are, rather than what you think that you are. x
Dnt have much experience with it. But find it to be the best way to maintain a healthy balance between physical and mental emotions. Good question btw.
Why the fuck are you asking us, Prax? "Just ask the axis, he knows everything" For real. Sit and meditate. Ask yourself. You should be making some progress by now, no? P R A N A Y A M A
Deep sleep is no mind. Meditation is the strengthening/purification of an activated, or manifest, mind. That's the simple answer, I'll explain more if there is interest/not understanding.
Meditation can positively change the tenor of the mind so that one can act from a better perspective thus producing better karmic conditions.
That doesn't answer my question, my dear guru. I didn't ask what positive results can be derived from meditation. I asked for a cross-comparison between meditation and sleep.
You might want to study the frequencies the brain emits depending on what mode it is in (alpha, beta, etc) for you are trying to compare two entirely different states of being.
Sleep (dreamless sleep) is a state of no mind. In that state there's only God/self, so the idea of a body is put into a sort of state of suspended animation, during which the imagined wear/tear are not present (though in Reality there is no body, so it's sort of impossible to explain it since it's paradoxical.) But that's only the body. The mind's latent tendencies (karma) are not addressed in that state. Sleep is like covering a fire with a cardboard box. You may not see the fire or smoke for a little while, but eventually it comes back just the same as before. While dreams are caused by the inaction of past karma (the same as waking state reality), unless reflected on, they don't help resolve it. Meditation does not necessarily provide for better "karmic conditions," whatever that means. The goal of meditation is to go beyond karma, not produce positive karma. What meditation does that sleep does not: 1) Strengthens the mind's capacity to focus. benefit A- Because there is (intended to be) a state of only present moment awareness, past actions (karma) are not influencing you. So you are letting the fog clear in a sense, if only for just a moment. benefit B- Because the mind is (intended to be) in a state of singular focus, the ego consciousness of one's body ceases, which is experienced as a state of deep relaxation (extremely similar to deep sleep) , during which the body returns to a more pure state, and rejuvenates, restores, etc). 2) Allows a person to begin to know that they are not their thoughts. (This really could be #1) When a person focuses on one thing earnestly, eventually the realization comes that "I have thoughts, but I am not my thoughts." From that realizaiton arises (or can be instilled) the desire to know who one really is. benefit A- The person seeks a higher knowledge of Reality, and thus begins down a spiritual path, which in the long run will only lead to more happiness. 3) As the focal powers get better the mind can focus on subtler and subtler things and the focus becomes clearer and clearer, withdrawing further and further into the subtle bodies (and as the ego weakens, the individual soul's consciousness expands). The unreality of the ego becomes ever clearer, and the experience of bliss comes. benefit A- You begin to see Reality more clearly. Because you see reality more clearly and are in the present moment more, you essentially starting to stop the karmic cycle (Karma-->memory-->desire-->repeat), if only for moments at a time. Most people go through life without knowing what their motivations are, or what they want, hence they repeat everything and learn very slowly. Exe: You buy an ice cream and eat it and notice it tastes good (karma or action). Then the next day you remember that it tastes good (memory) so you want another one (desire). So you go back and get another ice cream cone, even if you're not hungry, to fulfil the desire. benefit B- A person can better make decisions not based on the past, but on what will make them happy and what they really want. I'm sure we all know people who do the same thing over and over again, and choose it, then complain about it. benefit C- A person realizes from the experience of inner bliss that true, lasting happiness comes only from within, and that happiness that comes from without is only a form of bondage. So, you better know how to make yourself happy, and become decreasingly interested in seeking happiness from the outside, freeing yourself. Of course there are other subtle benefits, and the benefits that I showed can be elucidated ad naseum, but that's the jist of it.
Amongst many other benefits, meditation makes you sleep better. Review the science: http://www.meditation-techniques-for-happiness.com/meditation-for-sleep.html
I went to meditationsolution.com and the guided meditation wasn't nearly as good as this free sample I found at www.meditationsample.com
Meditation energizes your awareness bringing both peace and wisdom to a busy mind. It expands your capacity to love and heals broken hearts. Also it dissolves many fears replacing them with lightness and brings freedom from anxiety. Meditation is both the journey and the destination, revealing the secrets of consciousness and the treasures of the soul. It develops the power to be more alert and effective in our interaction with each other and with our precious world. But perhaps the greatest gift that comes with meditation is the glow of inner peace that is both gentle and strong.
