Whatever the cause, stress is all too often the outcome of living our daily lives. But, Basil Turner asks, when we think that the world has gone plain bonkers, can meditation help to keep us reasonably sane?

A recent TV programme on meditation left me feeling that the simple expedient of allocating a special time to clear the mind of dross and negative thoughts has to be beneficial. Easier said than done and I for one find it difficult to switch from worry mode to a world of peaceful harmony.

I have no experience of sitting cross-legged, upturned palms resting gently on knees, thumb and forefinger lightly touching, with back erect and eyes closed. This, to my mind, is only half the picture. What happens next? Does the mind also go blank as eyelids close out the world?

Perhaps the patient has to clear all thought from the mind. Presumably, then, the menacing clouds will clear to be replaced automatically by positive and peaceful images. I don’t think so. My personal anti-stress therapy needs a memory bank of pleasing pictures to call on as I close the shutters for this to happen.

Meditation is a lone process and this is why my personal preference for lone walking is such a useful aid. As I walk, I try to observe the beauty of the countryside and if what I see I find particularly pleasing I stop and mentally imprint the scene. No photography yet! Time is needed to drink in the elements of what I hope will become a visual antidote to the ugliness of so much of modern life.

I frequently include some detail of the foreground in my treasure trove of calming images. The reason for this is that it places me in the picture. In my first example, I feel the breeze that whispers through the dunes around me, rocking the grassy needles into ever changing formations. I note the curves of coastline and the pleasing finger of headland. I applaud the wispy cloud as it lifts itself over the first land since America and gently paints itself into harmony with the horizon. Yes, this is the West Coast of Barra in the Outer Hebrides and its remote peace will do fine for me — better take the photograph before it all changes!

My second view is from hill walking in the Highlands. The simple beauty of mountain peaks captured in dramatic lighting and complementing cloud patterns is unforgettable.

We all have our favourite images: these are a couple of mine.

Most of us these days have a computer and I find the ‘Desktop’ a great way of recalling magic moments. Even in a less inspiring landscape, there is often a view to calm the troubled mind. Example number three, which heads this article, is just one from my dreamy sky memory files. Fleecy summer clouds are the easiest of accessible images for the meditator.

Some calming images can be conjured up without benefit of photography. Who has not felt — and heard — the ever changing movement of the seas as spent waves are sucked back reluctantly through a shingle beach to rejoin the ocean? Who has not kicked through fallen leaves on a crisp autumn morning? Who has not smiled at a child’s first encounter with a young puppy or kitten? Music too is a wonderful relaxant. Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony is the supreme example — second movement, of course!

I claim no knowledge of meditation techniques. I only know that for me, it is not possible to think of nothing. The mind never stops supplying information. If it did, I reckon I would shrink from the responsibility of driving a car for a start! I seriously doubt that my own mind ever truly switches off even during sleep. My own dream world is incredibly busy — too busy, perhaps, but very revealing. In my case I have to accept dreams as my personal ‘Recycle Bin’. Permanent deletion, however, is not possible.

Perhaps it is possible for some people to switch off completely. Not me! If I am conscious, I am thinking. It may be the warmth of the sun on my face; it may be a different warmth as that dram of single malt slips past my lips. Conversely, it may be a feeling of frustration as that other driver pinches ‘my’ parking space or of agitation as I react in near disbelief to the latest stupidity of politicians.

What does one do as indignation threatens to reach boiling point? Is a display of anger a stress safety valve or is it better to follow the path of silence? A homophonic refrain states that: “giving someone a piece of one’s mind rarely gives one peace of mind”. Neat, excellent advice I agree, but does bottling up one’s feelings not merely bottle up more stress? How we deal with stress is how we handle suppressed anger. There must be times when (as calmly as possible) we should speak out. More often than not, however, it is far better to keep one’s counsel.

It is such a pity that I am so bad at taking my own advice, so I think I had better assume the position, close the lids and attempt to ‘Restore’ from ‘Minimize’ a Western shore or Highland vista.
Good night!

© Basil Turner 2008