'Most of us have monkey minds that hop from one thought to another'

By Hal French, distinguished professor emeritus, Religious Studies

I've been doing daily meditation for about 12 years. I practice zazen, which is just seated meditation, where you focus on breathing. Clear your mind. It's like a fast of the mind. I'm not always successful at that, certainly; most of us have monkey minds that keep hopping from one thought to another. But if you focus on your breathing, you can at least reduce distracting thoughts.

I think meditation helps me to relax, to become more gentle. It's a useful exercise to help focus your energies. I don't do a long period of meditation--20 minutes before breakfast, and a little at night. Some people practice longer. For me, exercises follow the meditation--a little yoga, some stretching. It's kind of a necessary way for me to begin the day.

There are many styles of meditation. Some Christian styles may focus on a text; others may incorporate chanting. Reading--closely reflecting on the substance of the words before you--has even been called a Western style of meditation.

Vipassana, or Insight Meditation, is a Southern Buddhist style of meditation. It's similar to what I do: focusing on breathing, as is the case with most meditation practices, and being in the moment.

You can always sharpen your faculties by meditating. Some people find it useful to meditate with a group, and there are several such groups in the Columbia area.

Meditation has seemed over 12 years of practice to be of some benefit to me. Maybe it makes me a better person. We all have things to work on in that respect, don't we?

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