Master of Meditation is a title given to an avid student once they reach a point of self-realization. In this article I’ll provide my own experience of attaining this Certification with the Yoga Alliance International, and the many years of self inquiry and travel leading up to it. Hopefully you may gain some inspiration for your own journey into self-realization.
Firstly, the meditative state is completely experiential, and more accurately purely existential – through inner exploration, you come closer to a direct connection with existence. This” connection with existence” is realizing the Primal Simplicity in everything, understanding the creations of our mind and not becoming consumed by it, and developing a self-awareness that brings to light our intuition, creativity and joy in everything we do.
At this point of connection our concepts of mental suffering that are so frozen upon our way of living; i.e. dwelling on what is happening in our life, the feeling of never having enough, resentment, jealousy, hatred, etc. simply melt away.
For “The West”, which has never had a formal practice of entering this silent state of reflection and inner exploration, this state of bliss and silence seems foreign, poetic and even at times mystical. Luckily through the intense studies that I’ve been illustrating throughout my articles from Harvard Mind|Body Medical Institute, University of California Berkley and many other top institutions, this state of being is far from subjective.
As a child of 9 my mother started me on my journey of self-inquiry – she told me “Michael, at times dark and frustrating thoughts will enter your mind, and when they do spit them out lightly with only your breath, physically push them out of you and you won’t be taken by them.”
This simple practice, which I practiced almost every day for the next 15 years, unknowingly spearheaded a constant inquiry into mental suffering. Everyday, I observed myself and those around me in constant inquiry.
“Why do I suffer the way I do when nothing physically has happened to me? Why do others suffer the same way? And, how can I eliminate this suffering?”
Throughout my schooling I wrote papers on Sun Tzu, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, studied Eastern Philosophy intensely, and read any text on the inquiry of great minds that I could find.
Being a child to a Polish Christian home, I was lucky in two ways: one that I experienced the concept of Religion in a non-overbearing church and two, that my parents always allowed me to find my own way, my own truth.
I broke away from any formal religion just before entering university realizing that true spirituality doesn’t come from an institution but from deep within myself. This is when a close Japanese friend of mine mentioned endless opportunities to explore meditation abound in Thailand. At 19 years of age, I ventured off that summer and I found the path to the Gate of freedom from Mental Suffering.
The time in Thailand transformed me immensely, from a stage of searching to a stage of finding – Theravada Meditation provided another tool for me, moving from acknowledging the fleeting states of mental suffering to centering myself in the present moment with my breath. Daily I used this meditation and breath visualization in my studies and day to day living, attaining my business degree from Western University, launching a nightlife promotions business, public speaking in every major US state, and launching a business alongside Patch CEO of GoodLife Fitness.
Having the tools to bring myself to the present moment, and acknowledge my thoughts brought me to a state of deeply wanting to learn more so that I can teach others how to attain bliss and happiness in life – so I set off to travel the world for the next 4 years.
In Australia learning the ancient form of Vipassana Meditation and Diamond Way Buddhist philosophy, Hindu-Buddhist philosophy in Indonesia, ancient Buddhist teachings in Laos and finally coming into India.
India took me from a state of finding, to a state of being found. The true realization of what it means to be the silent watcher in any situation, no matter how overwhelming. For over 7 months and 2 visits I explored the teachings of the great philosophers of India, all of which centered on inner exploration.
Vivekananda Illam in Chennai, Tibetan Buddhism in Dharamsala, Yoga and Hindu Meditation in Rishikesh, Ayurveda in Kerala, and Zen in Pune.
Three teachers impacted me most Osho, Sri Aurobindo and Swami Vidyanand.
Swami Vidyanand the President and Founder of India based Yoga Alliance International trained me personally to achieve the Master of Meditation Certification and Certified Yoga Teacher 500 level – he is also the respected Swami (Teacher) for the Sri Aurobindo Trust or Ashram which helps millions around the world. Locked for months in study we explored everything from ancient Egyptian Yantra healings, Tibetan Mantra’s, Breath Control practice to ancient Yogic white Tantra philosophy.
Osho impacted me because of his eloquent modern teachings on Zen, and interpretation of the words of many past Zen Masters – Zen’s primary objective is to show that everyone has the ability at anytime in their lives to achieve self-realization or enlightenment.
I searched for many years to share with you that – there is an underlying commonality in all 140 formal meditations – the connection with your body, breath, mind and a strong dedication to positive ethical values.
In ancient philosophy, it is recommended in our life paths to seek out someone who can help us make the leap out of mental suffering and into a life of compassion, love and bliss. I can tell you that finding these many profound enlightened teachers has shaped my life in ways I can never describe and urge you to do the same.
A Master of Meditation is a guide that knows you will achieve self-realization at any moment.
They are a guide who’s words can be trusted to bring you into a meditative state, and the delicate exploration of life, our body and mind.
The Master of Meditation’s approach is that of a child; in that each experience, each exploration, has a newness within it as if it is being experienced for the first time – Their sole purpose is to provide you with the space to experience this same vitality, clarity and bliss in your modern life.
Wishing you an incredible exploration of life in this 2011!
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