The main aim of the meditation is a purification of the mind. Generally, there are two types of meditation—Tranquillity meditation and Insight meditation. Whichever one you practice, the main aim in mental development is a creation of mindfulness.
Tranquillity Meditation
Tranquillity meditation is the concentration of the tranquil and peaceful mind. It involves the very controlled or mindful action of
holding the mind to an object and does not allow the mind to wander. The mind remains completely still, like a still flame of a candle, neither flickering nor fluttering. This is the nature of tranquility meditation. When this happens, the mind becomes very peaceful and powerful, because it is a concentration of pure states of mind.
Insight Meditation
Insight meditation is different. It does not just involve holding the mind still. It also involves penetrative observation. This kind of
penetrative observation, without any thinking, without any conceptualization, allows the mind to realize the true nature of things
as they really are, things like the nature of our mind and body processes, the nature of the person and the nature of the world. With the realization of the nature of existence, the mind no longer has conflicts with nature, the mind becomes together with nature and the mind realizes the true nature of things.
Consequently, the mind becomes purified. In the process, the mind transcends everything—it transcends conceptual reality, it transcends conditioned reality and finally it goes into an absolute reality, which is the unchanging state. After much practice, it is this that is experienced by the mind.At the start of our practice, we have to recognize the nature of mindfulness, which we have to develop for as long as we are alive. The presence of mindfulness is what really makes the difference between true happiness and false happiness. It can also make the difference between life and death.
To learn or practice an insight meditation you can join good meditation retreats, it will give you a right direction and sense of mindfulness.
