Meditation

THE first time I learnt about meditation was about 15 years ago from a book I took from Njube Library, I immediately realised that most of us do practise this art, but we are only not aware that we do it.

Before we go far, let me provide a definition from the Free Online Dictionary: Meditation is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, movement, and visualisation in order to increase awareness of the present moment, promote relaxation, and enhance spiritual and personal growth.

The most basic activity for us is just taking a walk. It can be just walking without going anywhere special, or carrying a hoe on your shoulder and walking to a far off field.

It can also be carrying a scud container and walking to a bottle store that is 30 minutes away, and bypassing all the other’s that are within that distance as the target here would be this act of walking and thinking.

The trick is to walk until the sensation of walking gives you a good feeling that can elevate your soul into some kind of spiritual plane that once again re-affirms to you your self-worth and that life is a divine gift.

We used to laugh that most of us in the township never take a walk just for the walk’s sake, but we walk because we are always going somewhere or looking for this and that.

But then of course there are those in the township who when they see you taking a walk, will quip: “Very soon she/he is going to go crazy,” and this means that the best thing for you to do is to just sit down in the house and do nothing.

There are also some who when they see you walking by will say: “Very soon he is going to steal something.”

There are also other meditation activities that are done in the township, but whose participants might not be aware it is meditation.

Some mothers or women or sisters like to wake up early in the morning at sunrise to sweep the yard. This is something they do consistently, a habit they have developed over time, and especially during the sunny months.

Some of us might wonder why they torture themselves like that, for, is not early morning a good time to be sleeping?

Some will say it is a demand of tradition, that it is a show of respect for the woman for her husband and household.

We cannot run away from the cultural influences, but let us not forget that sunrise is one of the most beautiful times of the day, and being alone at that time and doing some work around your home, especially like a mother sweeping her beloved yard, can produce the effects of meditation, as her mind can roam on other matters affecting the family.

I am not a psychologist, just take this as street psychology.

Another meditation activity is to find a very quiet place near you where you can sit by yourself and just let your thoughts calm down.

If you are in the township the best place is none other than a bush nearest you.

But you must make sure that this place in the bush is safe where no mugger can creep up behind you thinking that you have something valuable that they can rob you of.

Or where there is no kaka around.

But then another challenge about finding a nice place in the bush to meditate is that you cannot just do it anywhere, you have to find one that is inspiring, often with a beautiful view.

The best people with a good eye for inspiring places in the bush are those who hold their church services there.

If you are really serious about meditation, you can ask amaPostori, those who hold their church services in the bush, where the best places there can be found. Or you can use their places when they are not having their services.

I had a favourite place in the bush behind Emakhandeni, but it was “owned” by some amaPostori people, but I always made sure I went there when they were not using it and have to myself some quality writing and meditation time.

My only challenge when I went into the bush with my books was to use a roundabout route so that my neighbours, and especially some of my friends, would not see what I was up to, because once one of them laughed at me and said, “kanti uzamani?”

So, don’t be shy about it, research on meditation and give it a try one day, for, as we say, one never knows.

Next time see you in your nearest bush, park or favourite walk track!