Hour 63 Meditation – Water Meditation – Flowing with Life
Water Meditation – Flowing with Life
Introduction to Water Meditation
Water Meditation, or Jala Dhyan, is inspired by the water element (Jala Tattva) in yogic tradition in India. Water represents fluidity, flexibility, and purification. Water in yogic thought is not only a physical substance but also symbolizes emotional and spiritual flow. Water Meditation is intended to align the practitioner with the fluidity of existence and let go of controlling and instead be directed by the natural flow of the universe.
Water, as an element, is strongly connected with emotion, intuition, and cleansing. Similar to the way water naturally moves around obstructions, Water Meditation practice instructs us to move easily through the hurdles of life. This meditation enables us to tap into the nourishing and cleansing aspects of water, which cleanse emotional blockages, release stagnant energy, and help find a profound sense of inner calm.
Water Meditation is also a practice for cultivating emotional balance and healing. It promotes surrender, acceptance, and the development of an open, calm mind. By accessing the gentle yet powerful energy of water, practitioners are invited to relax the hardness of their thoughts and feelings so that they can flow freely and harmoniously.
The Essence of Water Meditation
The essence of Water Meditation is to learn to go with the flow of life—embracing both the peaceful and turbulent sides of our life. Water embodies the law of flexibility, as it takes the shape of its vessel, runs through pipes, and sustains all living things. Similarly, Water Meditation assists us in accepting change, developing emotional healing, and learning to ride the ups and downs of life with an inner sense of peace and surrender.
Key Aspects of Water Meditation:
Flowing like Life: The water is constantly flowing and in motion, never still. That is the moving flow of life itself—smooth at times, turbulent at times, but continually in motion. Water Meditation reminds practitioners to adopt the flow of life without strain, accepting all that comes one’s way open-heartedly.
Purification and Cleansing: As water purifies the body, Water Meditation purifies the mind and emotions. The meditation enables the practitioner to let go of negative thoughts, feelings, and mental baggage, and in return, leaves behind emotional balance and clarity.
Emotional Healing: Water has a profound connection with the emotional world. Water Meditation allows for the release of emotional blockages, healing and emotional freedom. It leads us to feel intensely, work through our emotions, and release hurts of the past.
Adaptability and Acceptance: Water moves easily around barriers, molding itself to the surroundings. Water Meditation shows us adaptability, allowing us to move through life with flexibility, patience, and acceptance.
Nurturing and Support: Water sustains and supports life. This meditation encourages us to reconnect with the sustaining power of the earth and the universe, giving us a profound feeling of emotional and spiritual support.
Practical Guide to Water Meditation
Water Meditation can be done in a number of ways, either by imagining water, hearing water sounds, or by sitting in the vicinity of water like a lake, river, or ocean. Hereafter is how to practice Water Meditation step by step:
Steps to Practice Water Meditation:
Preparation of the Space:
Identify a quiet room where you will not be interrupted. Whenever possible, practice in a location close to a natural body of water—like a lake, a river, or an ocean. If you don’t have access to water, you can listen to recordings of sound waves of water (e.g., flowing streams, soft rainfalls).
Alternatively, you may use a water feature, such as a tiny fountain, or imagine water with your mind.
Posture and Relaxation:
Sit in a relaxed, comfortable position with your back straight. You may sit cross-legged on the floor, in a chair, or on a cushion. The key is to feel comfortable and stable.
Rest your hands lightly on your knees or in your lap, palms up, inviting the energy flow.
Start by closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths, breathing in through the nose and slowly out through the mouth. Relax your body with each breath.
Listen to the Sound of Water (if using water sounds):
Pay close attention to the sound of running water. Attend to how the sound travels—occasionally soothing, sometimes more powerful, but always steady.
Let the gurgle of water wash over you, dissolving distractions from your mind. Permit yourself to sense as though you are becoming one with the rhythm and flow of the water.
Visualization of Water (not in the vicinity of water):
Sit comfortably with your eyes closed and imagine a large, peaceful body of water—a lake, ocean, or river. Imagine the water to be clear and peaceful, rippling softly as it advances.
With every breath, envision yourself as one with the water, moving freely with the current. Experience the weightlessness, liberty, and serenity that water embodies.
Embracing Flow:
Visualize yourself drifting on the surface of this water, gliding peacefully with the current. Release all resistance and let the water take you where it will.
At this point, there is no need to control or direct the flow. Just have faith in the water and the flow of life. Release any thoughts, expectations, or desires. Let yourself become one with the water, yielding to its soft power.
Cleansing and Purification:
As you drift on the water, visualize that it is washing your mind, body, and spirit. Visualize the water taking away all worry, negative energies, and emotional blockages.
With every breath in, imagine the water taking in new energy, and with every breath out, let go of all that no longer works for you. Let the water cleanse you through and through, leaving you light and refreshed.
Integration and Surrender
Feel the calming energy of the water around you, giving you emotional sustenance and support. Have faith that the water is healing, and realize that it is assisting you in letting go of anything that blocks your peace and well-being.
Remain in this calm state for a few moments, simply letting the flow continue. Allow yourself to feel completely supported and sustained by the water.
Ending the Meditation:
When ready, gradually bring your awareness back to the present. Take some deep breaths, noticing the feeling of peacefulness and tranquility that the water has gifted you.
Slowly open your eyes and bring the energy of the water into your body, mind, and soul. Take the flow of the water with you as you navigate through your day, staying open to the natural flow of life.
The Advantages of Water Meditation
Practicing Water Meditation confers many advantages that aid in mental and emotional wellness. Among them are:
Emotional Healing:
Water Meditation facilitates the release of emotional traumas and blockages, achieving emotional healing.
Stress Release:
The soothing energy of water calms one down, reduces tension and anxiety, and makes the practitioner refreshed.
Mind Purification:
In the same manner as water, this meditation purifies the mind, removing unnecessary thoughts and brain clutter.
Greater Adaptability
Water effortlessly moves around blocks, and such an exercise allows practitioners to develop flexibility and openness when facing problems.
Inner Calm and Serenity:
In identifying with the serenity of water, practitioners have a profound experience of peace and calm.
Divine Connection:
Water establishes the link to divine movement in life and thus contributes to strengthening one’s bond to the universal force.
Water Meditation: Problems and Hindrances
While Water Meditation is a highly relaxing and healing practice, it can be challenging to fully release into the flow of the water. Some typical difficulties and solutions include:
Difficulty Letting Go:
Solution: If you’re having trouble letting go and going with the flow of the water, remind yourself that letting go is part of the practice. The more you trust the flow, the more natural it will become to let go of control.
Reflection: What are the barriers that make it difficult for you to let go to the flow of life? How can you build trust in the process of letting go?
Emotional Overwhelm:
Solution: Water is linked with feelings, and at times repressed feelings can surface. If this occurs, permit yourself to feel the feelings without judgment. Keep in mind, the water is present to cleanse and release these feelings.
Reflection: If there are emotional blocks, do you let them move or attempt to regulate them? How might you set aside space to allow feelings to travel through you?
Mind Distractions
Solution: When you notice your mind wandering away, bring your focus gently back to the sound of the water or your visualization. Pay attention to the sense of flow and don’t judge yourself for getting distracted.
Reflection: How often does your mind wander during meditation? How can you practice being more present in the moment?
Reflective Questions
How do you feel when considering water as an emotional flow and release symbol? Is there something to be washed or released here during this exercise?
What do you struggle to flow through in your life? How can you work on building more adaptability and acceptance within those areas?
How did the feeling of “floating” on the water sensation feel to you while doing the meditation? What feelings or sensations came up while you let go into the flow of the water?
How do you feel emotionally and mentally after doing Water Meditation? Do you sense any changes in emotional state, clarity of mind, or feeling of peace?
How can you apply the principle of flowing with life into your everyday interactions and experiences?
Conclusion:
Water Meditation presents a strong chance to return to the flow of life, let go of emotional blockages, and tap into the healing aspects of the water element. This method teaches you how to let go of the natural flows of life, develop emotional equilibrium, and foster a profound sense of inner peace. Let the flow of water lead you to emotional freedom, flexibility, and harmonization.