The effects of meditation often occur so gradually that we don't notice them. Then comes a day when you have the sudden realization that you're not like you used to be. With this dawning of understanding that you're not who you thought you were comes confusion. If you're lucky, you might have a teacher or friend who will tell you, "Relax, it's all part of the process."

Dealing with these changes is where the science of self discovery and the art of self control come in handy. By taking a step back into the scientific mindset, the objective view of yourself as a being on the path of self discovery, you can analyze the condition in which you find yourself. With the scientific viewpoint, we can simply observe ourselves without judging, without pulling emotional reactions into the observation. Once you've seen where you are in relation to where you want to be, you can practice the art of self control to get there.

Meditation opens our awareness to the subtle levels of our being. We become more sensitive to our surroundings and at the same time we develop an inner strength that allows us to deal with this increased sensitivity. The same way a child learns not to touch a hot stove, we learn through experience to move our focus away from that which causes pain to that which brings joy.

Meditation brings forth a felling of well-being; some of my fellow students have called this "blissing out." We walk around in the world, sensing the pain of others, yet we are embraced in bliss. Even when the body suffers from pain, such as from the flu or even a chronic illness, we find that we are inexplicably happy. After meditating regularly, there is an almost constant sense of lightness and joy that permeates everything we do.

This approach to life, this smile we carry around all day, is not always welcomed by those lost in the ocean of pain. Sometimes our presence offends those with lower expectations of a happy life. We cannot change these people. They will show us anger and envy, and may even try to convince us to pity them. They sense the light we have connected to in meditation and they want to feel that light, although they may not be willing to admit it to themselves. When they are ready, they will find their own way home. In the meantime, enjoy the smile in your heart, but don't try to force it on anyone else.

Meditation also makes us more attractive. As more and more of the light within us is released and brought to the surface, we literally shine. People who wouldn't give you the time of day before you practiced meditation suddenly want your attention. You may notice people staring at you while you're out walking or driving. To keep the ego in check, remind yourself it's the light they seek, not you. The light is free to all who seek it, but it is not your job to bring anyone into it. Wait until they ask where your radiance comes from--until then your meditation practice is a private matter.

As we move deeper into meditation, we become more powerful and we develop the ability to concentrate on anything we choose. It opens the door to infinite possibilities. We become limited only by our own imagination, and by the imagination of those we choose to believe. Over time, we find we have room to balance more activities, more people, more challenges. In conjunction to power and balance, we develop clarity. The situations that once made us lose our way become only minor obstacles because our view has been expanded.

In daily meditation, we renew our connection to light, clearing away the blockages that keep us from seeing the way through the shadows. We learn to allow ourselves to become someone new every month, every week, every day, every moment. We rely less on others to tell us who we are as we come to accept that we are transient beings, expressions of light that last only for the moment. Sometimes in our play, we become people that we don't like, and we do things that frighten or appall us. When this happens, accept who you are at that moment, forgive yourself, and move on to the next expression of Being.

As you walk the pathway of self discovery, you may find a war raging within you. The ego struggles to maintain itself in the physical and astral worlds, linking itself to what is familiar. You are pulled by karma to follow the patterns you have created. Many people try to fight these old habits by punishing themselves. Soon a habit that once brought pleasure now brings pain, and yet you are still drawn to that pattern. When you find yourself caught up in an old habit or anything that causes pain, immediately stop and put your focus on something else. If you want to lose weight, and you have a habit of eating candy, give yourself something else to eat, like a piece of celery or some fruit. Instead of punishing yourself, accept who you are at this moment, along with all of your habits. Then you will be able to change for the better.

Meditation expands the mind and opens up more options. We eventually recognize that the ego is only playing the game of Life. Sometimes the games are fierce, sometimes gentle. Because we meditate, we know that it is all illusion, and enjoy it anyway. With meditation, personal power is increased and we have the ability to control our reactions to the games we play. The victim is replaced by the active player who uses discriminating awareness to choose how he or she will play the role he or she must fill.