AsiaLIFE

Living in the capital can at times be less than a bed of roses, so on a quest for some inner peace, AsiaLIFE delves into the world of meditation, and finds out what this sitting still is all about.

Even in Phnom Penh, the pace and madness of everyday life often leaves little time for reflection and silence. While lying in front of the telly for hours on end may be a favourite relaxation technique for many, sitting still and focusing inwards may in fact be much more effective in helping you unwind. Though meditating is often easier said than done, committed practitioners all assure that focusing on yourself for an hour or two is most certainly more beneficial than staring at the goggle-box.

Finding Peace and Serenity

“Meditation does not always come easily,” acknowledges the venerable Yos Hut Khemacaro of the Khmer Buddhist Foundation. Despite having been a monk for the past 45 years, he admits he too finds it challenging at times. “It’s a learning process,” he says, adding that beginners need to practice on a regular basis to get used to the techniques and develop their understanding of the exercise. Khemacaro runs the open meditation sessions at Wat Lanka, where foreigners are given the opportunity to immerse themselves in the teachings of Buddhism and through meditation learn about the concept of mindfulness. “Through the concept, you begin to notice phenomena in both the mind and the body. You learn to know things as they really are, you see the truth,” he says. According to Khemacaro, open meditation sessions have been running at Wat Lanka for 12 years. They remain popular amongst both novices and those more experienced in meditative practices. “People of all faiths come here to meditate,” he says. “Some come out of curiosity, while others have meditated for a long time already”.

For first-timers, the session starts with a short introduction to meditation, its purpose and technique, how to sit, and why the practice is beneficial. Leaflets explaining Buddhist teachings are also available. Participants are then encouraged to meditate on the cushions of the main building’s gorgeous top hall for at least 30 minutes. Clearing your mind, whilst sitting cross-legged without moving a muscle, initially takes some effort. “If something aches, don’t ignore it,” Khemacaro advises. "Focus on it instead and it will go away”. Not that meditation is meant to hurt. Yoga and meditation teachers Ann Sorita and Em Hong at Kundalini Yoga describe meditation as release - a way of awakening energies and clearing chakras. “The important thing in the practice is to be in the present moment,” Sorita explains. “Our mind is like a monkey, when we try to calm it, it always jumps in every direction,” she continues. “When you’re in the present, the mind becomes calm”.

At Kundalini, mantras are sometimes used to help clear the mind. Em Hong clarifies that although the mantras have a religious background, the meditation practice itself is not religious. “We want the benefit from the sounds,” he says, explaining that when sung, the sound combinations of certain mantras are said to have a beneficial effect on the body. In Kundalini practice, meditation is usually part of the yoga practice, but special “Miracle Mantra” sessions are also offered at the centre. During these, participants first warm up with some exercises, after which mantras are chanted to music for up to an hour. “It’s very fast to stimulate the meridian point in your mouth,” Sorita says, but notes that the chant itself is basic and easily remembered. Em Hong says that the effects of meditating vary from person to person, with some feeling calm after the exercise, whilst meditating for others can release stress and emotions, leading people to cry. “But it’s all positive,” he says.

Think About It

Positivity is also the focus of Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga meditation. The Phnom Penh Raja Yoga centre is part of a world-wide organisation established in 1937, which aims to revive ancient teachings and explore spirituality. The organisation has 8,500 centres in 120 countries. Singaporean Kumar is the current teacher at the centre. “We use the power of thought – think about peacefulness and you will become peaceful,” he says. He argues that it is the nature of the mind to think, however that by replacing negative with positive thoughts we can find happiness.