Meditation

“To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still.”
-Jiddu Krishnamurti

As children we are told to focus or to concentrate, but rarely taught how. Meditation explores and offers tangible directives that teach us to not only focus and concentrate, but how to reliably and repeatedly enter into expanded states of conscious awareness.

Meditation is like a user’s manual for the mind, which guides us to harness and cultivate one of our most precious gifts and powerful tools. The practice often is accompanied by breathing techniques, visualizations, and mantras (sacred sounds or affirmations) that augment our natural energy and awareness.

Meditation is a potent practice that assists in developing self-acceptance, self-awareness, self-reliance, and ultimately self-actualization.

The History of Meditation?

Mediation is a structured, interactive process where an impartial third party assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques. All participants in mediation are encouraged to actively participate in the process. Mediation is a “party-centered” process in that it is focused primarily upon the needs, rights, and interests of the parties. The mediator uses a wide variety of techniques to guide the process in a constructive direction and to help the parties find their optimal solution. A mediator is facilitative in that she/he manages the interaction between parties and facilitates open communication. Mediation is also evaluative in that the mediator analyzes issues and relevant norms (“reality-testing”), while refraining from providing prescriptive advice to the parties (e.g., “You should do…”).

Mediation, as used in law, is a form of alternative dispute resolution resolving disputes between two or more parties with concrete effects. Typically, a third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate a settlement. Disputants may mediate disputes in a variety of domains, such as commercial, legal, diplomatic, workplace, community, and family matters.

The term mediation broadly refers to any instance in which a third party helps others reach an agreement. More specifically, mediation has a structure, timetable, and dynamics that “ordinary” negotiation lacks. The process is private and confidential, possibly enforced by law. Participation is typically voluntary. The mediator acts as a neutral third party and facilitates rather than directs the process. Mediation is becoming a more peaceful and internationally accepted solution to end the conflict. Mediation can be used to resolve disputes of any magnitude.