Sugestions On How To Meditate
Posted by on Jul 9, 2010
When we first beginning to meditate, there are many
habits that we fall into that prevent us from achieving
a peaceful, state to make any real progress. There
are habits of worry, restlessness, judging
ourselves or our practice of meditation, excessive
movement which can become distracting,
overeating, overindulging in smoking or drinking,
complaining, and finding fault. There also are
certain habits that we can do to assist our mind to
get into a place of meditation, and to begin to
make some progress in your practice. Here are
some hints:
Consistency of Time: It is better to meditate at the
same time every day. It is also usually easier to
meditate early in the morning because the Earth is
more still, your mind is quieter and the day-to-day
activities have not started yet. But if you can’t do it
early in the morning, be consistence with the time that
you meditate during your day, and do this every day
if you are able.
Consistency of Place: It is also beneficial to have the
same place, so that your mind can make recognition
of familiar things that are around and begin to feel
secure there. The mind is like a small child that needs
routine. Chose a certain corner of a room or room of
your house that you will consider your meditation
space. If you cannot leave out your props each day,
collect them and then with each time you can display
and use them in that space once again. Consistency
of time and place assists the mind with that feeling of
safety and security.
Familiar Props: Having the same things that you
use consistently helps greatly in your meditation
process. Again it is a sense of trust, safety and
familiar that aids the mind to become quiet. A
suggestion of some props includes your choice
of prayer cloth, which can be draped over your person.
Drape cloth for an alter that you set up. An alter,
or table that will have all of your meditation items on it,
a bell or chime, or Tibetan bowls to announce the
beginning and end of your meditation, prayer beads
or mala beads, inspirational books, or prayer books,
candle or small light, incense, a mediation pillow,
mat, or roll, special pictures of landscapes or saints or
spiritual leaders, or special items like a feather, or
blessed materials, shells, small stones etc, small
tickless alarm clock.
Creating a Routine of Actions: In creating habits for
meditation, a routine says to your mind that it is time
to meditate and get quiet. The routine might include,
first a preparation of purification. This could include a
bath, or simply washing your face and your hands with
cool water, and then patting your face dry prior to
starting your meditation. Next an acknowledgement
to your higher self, or god, is appropriate. You could
do this by putting your hands together in prayer
position over your heart, which indicates you are
centering your heart, and opening your heart, then lift
your hands to your forehead, to acknowledge your
third eye or center of perception, and then bring your
hands back down to touch your heart. It is an indication
that you are coming back to your center and that is
where you will begin your meditation. It is also an
intention of purification of heart and mind. After
purifying yourself physically and mentally, you might
chose to light an incense, set out your props, and light
a candle. You could ring a chime or a bell and let the
sound resonate in your ears and through your body.
If you enjoy meditation with music it is appropriate to
turn on your music softly prior to your beginning. Next
you may begin your breathing to center your mind, and
cover yourself with your prayer shawl or blanket.
Meditation is the stillness of the mind and a
reconnection with your inner spirit. It could be a
time of reflection, and a period of question and
answers, or simple a time of less thoughts to offer
you peace. Here are some tools to help you get to
that quiet place.
First for the novice, an appropriate duration of time
is 5-10 minutes. Do not overtax yourself when you
first begin. As you progress the duration of time can
increase to 10-30 or 40 minutes, or for an hour or
more. When meditating, we try to shut out the
outside stimulus and force the mind inward.
This is one reason that you try to sit as still
as possible in the session. You are discarding all
physical distraction and sensations. It is important to
sit in the most comfortable position that you are able
so that you will be able to sit still for a period of time.
Prior to beginning your meditation, you could stretch
your neck and move your head up and down and to
either side, stretch your back a little and your shoulders.
When you prepare in this way it is more likely that you
will not be distracted by physical tension.
As you begin to meditate watch and observe your
thoughts without any judgments or condemnation.
When you have observed your thoughts for a while,
begin to call the mind back like a little child. “We are
breathing, we are letting go of these thoughts now.”
Refocus on the breath coming in through your nose again,
if you become disturbed or distracted. If you are fearful be
assured that nothing here can hurt you, this is a discovery
of your inner self and a return to your TRUE nature.
Once you have become accustomed to meditating you
will be more comfortable with your true nature and
realize that you are created to be naturally peaceful, and
joyful, and that is the natural state of your being.
There are different techniques to get you to that silent
and still place. Breathing is very important for trans-
porting you to that place, a sound mantra like OM i
s helpful, a guided meditation, an open eye meditation
that lets you have a focus on one particular object,
point, or picture or candle can immediately take you to the
still place, focusing on music, or particular elements of
the music can accomplish that stillness. You can chose
one or more of these techniques to get you there.
You could also have a meditation of questions and
answers. It is important to write down the questions that
you wish to ask before you begin, so that there is a flow and a
direction of the meditation process. Have a note pad so that
you can write down the answers that come to you.
Usually it is the first answer that comes to you. Write that
down, even it you do not understand the reference. Write
down everything until it feels complete and then move
on to the next question. The question and answer period
may go on for a few meditation sessions so do not become
discouraged if you don’t get all of the answers immediately.
Also do not judge yourself or call yourself inadequate
if you are not getting the responses that you want.
Mediation takes practice and intention to do it well.
Also one needs to become accustomed to how s/he
receives that information personally.
Ring the bell, to signal the conclusion of your meditation
session, or turn off your alarm when it rings. After the time
is up and your meditation has ended, begin to stretch
and loosen your neck and shoulders, and your back and
perhaps your arms and legs. Breathe big breaths in to
bring you from that deep place. Do not force yourself
beyond your time that you told yourself would be the
amount of time for that day. There are other days to
extend the time.
Meditation takes a lot of practice and time.
There are many mental and physical obstacles to over-
come. The mind is always active and always
condemning. It judges you harshly without cause,
it holds you guilty, it keeps you in a fearful place,
it believes that it is under attack, it says empathically
that you can never change, it is full of resistance
and self loathing. The mind never speaks of
your true nature, which is joy, love, compassion
for all creatures, kindness, deep wisdom,
abundance, and the unlimited free flowing capacity.
It is also helpful to keep a journal of your
spiritual progress and your meditations.
Which techniques work best for you, how often
do you get to a still place, is there anything that
came up that you did not expect, are you
causing yourself stress in a process that is
designed to bring more peace and stillness for
you, are you judging yourself? Can you make
a change to comfort yourself, are you receiving
your answers during a Q & A period.
A Note On Meditation And Breathing.
Breathing can start out big and full and then
gradually become diminished and more silent.
It is part of your focus that leads you to that still
place. When you are meditating you are letting
the mind rest on a new focal point other than a
million thoughts of worry, anxiety, fear and what
you will do in the next moment or the evening.
Remember a funnel, it has a great capacity
coming into the top but it is coming down through
a progressively narrower opening, until it passes
through only a tiny opening. The same actions
are occurring when you are limiting your thoughts
to one or more focal points. Letting go of
distracting thoughts, worry, and fear, and focusing
on less and less until you are at a still place.
Focus: Earlier I told you that there are steps
to get you to that still place, the focal points that
draw your mind into a still and quiet place. One
focus is the present moment, only this moment is
what you are focusing on at this time. Another
focus is the steady breathing coming into your
physical form, or the OM sounds resonating
through your mind and body, still other focuses
include the elements of the music like running
water that you are training your ears to pick out,
or the music itself, in a guided meditation you are
letting images form in your mind and that
becomes a focal point, and in an open eye
meditation you are letting your eyes become trained
on a physical point that you can see, and gradually
you let your mind come to an internal focal point.
All of the focal points are designed to assist you to
get into the resting place of the mind where the
mind becomes secondary. When the mind is
resting and not complaining, condemning or
judging then you become aware of your unlimited
nature, of your gentleness, and divine essence.
It is a place of realization of your TRUE SELF and
in knowing and remember that you become
so comfortable with your expanding and unlimited
nature that you only wish to rest in that place.
My suggestions to you are practice, get relaxed,
get settled, don’t judge, do not compare yourself
to others, allow yourself to learn and progress at
your own pace, encourage yourself, and reassure
yourself when you need to, and keep on
practicing and challenging yourself out of your
comfort zone. Do not listen to the mind’s
condemnation of you. It is only false ramblings.
Reward yourself for your effort. Be good to yourself.
katscoolcorner@yahoo.com 201 970-9340
Yoga Kat–aka Katheryn Hoban is a yoga teacher and Reiki Master Teacher with twelve years experience. She teaches children’s yoga ages 3-6, and Adults privately in NJ. She is the author of the book -Masters of ConsciousnessA Guide Book for the Cosmic Traveler. She has created a children’s affirmation CD (ages 3-6) and an affirmation CD for adults. Yoga Kat is available for speaking or writing and can be reached at or 201 970-9340 http://www.thecircleofpeace.com and sign up for our newsletter and See me reading from my book on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDd_JyIActw
Author: Katheryn Hoban
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Simple Meditation to Overcome the Mystique of Meditating
Posted by on Jul 6, 2010
There is a tendency amongst many people to think that meditation is a somewhat aloof, elitist, mystical and complex practice that requires years of practice to become proficient. People can be put off trying meditation for any or a combination of those reasons. Meditation, though, can actually be very simple, and that is how it should be for beginners.
Simple meditation is really where to start, and you will soon realise that there is nothing mystical or elitist about meditation. Also, it only takes a short period of time to experience the benefits of even simple meditation.
Given that one of the major benefits of even the simplest meditation can be stress relief, and stress is such a big problem in the Western world, it is easy to see how widely meditation can improve the lives of people. It really is a matter of just getting started, as you may soon get into a habit (and I do not mean a monk’s habit, unless that’s what you really want) of making time to meditate on a regular basis.
Where many Westerners may feel uncomfortable about meditation is its spiritual connotation. While the West sinks further into a non-spiritual, straightjacket existence, for millions it becomes even harder to even contemplate a spiritual side to life. However, those same people can benefit from meditating simply for the stress relief and relaxation effects. Then, as time goes by, a spiritual reawakening may be more likely to follow, as naturally as day follows night.
To keep meditation simple, there is no need to learn about all the theory, nor read volumes by all the “experts”. Though such learning may enrich your life, it is not an essential of getting started. If you have any doubts or misunderstandings about meditation, then it is as well just to try it at a personal level in its simplest form.
What is meditation, though? To meditate is, put simply, to muse or contemplate, at a profound level, on a particular subject or series of subjects. Now that hardly seems mystical, spiritual or elitist, does it? But for a newcomer to meditation, it will do. It is simple, natural, and very easy, once you do it. The difficulty for many in attempting meditation is penetrating the image, and getting down to the practicality.
In meditating, a person will quieten the mind and move away from conscious thoughts that distract, establishing a connection with the subconscious. There are a number of techniques for doing this, and each person may do best with one particular technique.
An important step in starting your first, and any, meditation session, is to get into a comfortable position; a position where you can allow your mind to drift into a peaceful state with minimum distraction. If you are uncomfortable, your discomfort will be a distraction.
Do not feel that you have to get into the famous Lotus position, one that many associate with meditation. It is not essential. I cannot sit in a lotus position due to the condition of my hip joints, and can only meditate effectively in other lying or sitting positions. Remember, for simple meditation it is the comfort rather than the actual position that is important. Meditation takes place in the mind; your mind is with you whatever the position; the correct position is primarily to prevent the distraction of discomfort.
Once you are comfortable, then you can close your eyes and start relaxing your mind. It is essential to focus on your breathing and to ensure you breathe through your nose and not your mouth. Pay full attention to each breath, focusing your mind in the act of breathing into and out of your lungs.
Once you have settled into the breathing rhythm, and can maintain your awareness of it, ensure that any thoughts and distractions to do with your daily life drift away. This can be difficult, but do not pressure yourself. Like many things, practice will make you more in control of your mind and able to shut out external intrusions more easily.
Thoughts will flow in and out of your mind, but you will eventually start to recognize quiet, still periods, like a vacuum in your thoughts. These periods are what you are aiming for, and with practice they will increase in length, increasing the personal benefit of meditating.
That, really, is simple meditation. Once you start to feel its benefits, and see how easy it really is, you may well want to learn more from experts and study the different types of meditation. One thing is certain though, even simple meditation at an “entry” level, will open your mind to a new world within. A world most people want to explore once they have discovered it.
This meditation [http://www.routes-to-self-improvement.com/Meditation.htm] article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner and part author of the Routes To Self Improvement website
Author: Roy Thomsitt
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What is Meditation – How to Meditate
Posted by on Jul 3, 2010
Meditation is a group of mental training techniques .You can use meditation to improve mental health and capacities, and also to help improve the physical health. Some of these techniques are very simple, so you can learn them from a book or an article; others require guidance by a qualified meditation teacher.
WHAT IS MEDITATION
Most techniques called meditation include these components:
1. You sit or lie in a relaxed position.
2. You breathe regularly. You breathe in deep enough to get enough oxygen. When you breathe out, you relax your muscles so that your lungs are well emptied, but without straining.
3. You stop thinking about everyday problems and matters.
4. You concentrate your thoughts upon some sound, some word you repeat, some image, some abstract concept or some feeling. Your whole attention should be pointed at the object you have chosen to concentrate upon.
5. If some foreign thoughts creep in, you just stop this foreign thought, and go back to the object of meditation.
The different meditation techniques differ according to the degree of concentration, and how foreign thoughts are handled. By some techniques, the objective is to concentrate so intensely that no foreign thoughts occur at all.
In other techniques, the concentration is more relaxed so that foreign thoughts easily pop up. When these foreign thoughts are discovered, one stops these and goes back to the pure meditation in a relaxed manner. Thoughts coming up, will often be about things you have forgotten or suppressed, and allow you to rediscover hidden memory material. This rediscovery will have a psychotherapeutic effect.
THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION
Meditation has the following effects:
1. Meditation will give you rest and recreation.
2. You learn to relax.
3. You learn to concentrate better on problem solving.
4. Meditation often has a good effect upon the blood pressure.
5. Meditation has beneficial effects upon inner body processes, like circulation, respiration and digestion.
6. Regular meditation will have a psychotherapeutically effect.
7. Regular meditation will facilitate the immune system.
8. Meditation is usually pleacent.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HYPNOSIS AND MEDITATION
Hypnosis may have some of the same relaxing and psychotherapeutic effects as meditation. However, when you meditate you are in control yourself; by hypnosis you let some other person or some mechanical device control you. Also hypnosis will not have a training effect upon the ability to concentrate.
A SIMPLE FORM OF MEDITATION
Here is a simple form of meditation:
1. Sit in a good chair in a comfortable position.
2. Relax all your muscles as well as you can.
3. Stop thinking about anything, or at least try not to think about anything.
4. Breath out, relaxing all the muscles in your breathing apparatus.
5. Repeat the following in 10 – 20 minutes:
– Breath in so deep that you feel you get enough oxygen.
– Breath out, relaxing your chest and diaphragm completely.
– Every time you breathe out, think the word “one” or another simple word inside yourself. You should think the word in a prolonged manner, and so that you hear it inside you, but you should try to avoid using your mouth or voice.
6. If foreign thoughts come in, just stop these thoughts in a relaxed manner, and keep on concentrating upon the breathing and the word you repeat.
As you proceed through this meditation, you should feel steadily more relaxed in your mind and body, feel that you breathe steadily more effectively, and that the blood circulation throughout your body gets more efficient. You may also feel an increasing mental pleasure throughout the meditation.
THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION UPON DISEASES
As any kind of training, meditation may be exaggerated so that you get tired and worn out. Therefore you should not meditate so long or so concentrated that you feel tired or mentally emptied.
Meditation may sometimes give problems for people suffering from mental diseases, epilepsy, serious heart problems or neurological diseases. On the other hand, meditation may be of help in the treatment of these and other conditions.
People suffering from such conditions should check out what effects the different kinds of meditation have on their own kind of health problems, before beginning to practise meditation, and be cautious if they choose to begin to meditate. It may be wise to learn meditation from an experienced teacher, psychologist or health worker that use meditation as a treatment module for the actual disease.
Knut Holt is an internet consultant and marketer focusing on health items. Please go here to find anti-aging supplements, medicines against acne, eczema, scars, wrinkles, other skin problems and natural medicines against many common diseases.
Free to reprint and reformat as long as the authors name and his link follow.
Author: Knut Holt
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Zen Meditation – The Ultimate Guide
Posted by on Jun 30, 2010
Zen is growing in popularity in the West and the same holds true for meditation, but what is the heart of zen? That’s a tricky question, isn’t it?
I think most of us agree that it can’t be Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance or zen influenced interior design, no matter how inspiring it may be. There must be more to it.
Zen took root in Japan well over a thousand years ago and whatever you find in department stores today are merely expressions of zen culture. Anyone who has lived and meditated in zen monasteries have a different idea of what zen is and isn’t.
Let’s take a look from inside…
Meditating In Zen Temples
Zen temples maintain a rather high level of discipline during meditation practice. The meditators sit in straight lines and face the walls while doing their best to keep their backs perfectly upright and the chins slightly tucked in.
The body posture plays a central role in zen meditation, because an erect spine allows mental energy to flow more naturally than one that isn’t straight. And meditation does generate a lot of mental energy which in turn makes it easier to mediate.
In other Buddhist traditions such as in Sri Lanka or Tibet there is less of an emphasis on sitting in straight lines and cultivating the perfect meditation posture.
Anyhow, whenever a meditator in a zen temple takes on a sloppy posture she will get smacked with a wooden stick on the left and right shoulders. To an outsider it may look like downright punishment while meditators view it as a form of encouragement.
Zazen
In zen, meditation is called zazen which is practiced in two separate modes, namely are sitting and walking.
That is not unique to zazen, though. It’s been known for thousands of years that sitting meditation boosts concentration while walking meditation generates a lot of mental energy.
By alternating between the two, the meditator can maintain a sound balance between the level of mental energy and concentration, which makes it easier to meditate. One could say that mental energy fuels concentration.
So, whenever you feel that your meditation is not flowing or you find it hard to concentrate, change from sitting to walking meditation. In addition, alternating between the two modes eases any physical aches and pains.
In zazen, the walking interval may only be 15-minutes long followed by 45 minutes of sitting meditation. In other Buddhist traditions there is generally a 50/50 split between sitting and walking meditation.
One could say that zen has an emphasis on sitting meditation which results in more concentration.
So far, we haven’t touched on what I consider the power of zen meditation. The above points out certain differences between zen and other Buddhist traditions, but let’s move on to the heart of the matter.
Zen Group Practice
There is a definite emphasis on group practice in zen that you don’t find in other Buddhist traditions. Both sitting and walking meditation are done in a group.
By practicing sitting and walking meditation in a group, strong mental energy and concentration build up. That takes the practice to a higher level and also makes it easier to meditate.
In zen temples the meditators also sit close together in order to keep the energy concentrated, which I’ve never seen in other Buddhist traditions.
The beauty of meditating with others, especially experienced meditators, is that their presence boost your practice! So, don’t only meditate alone at home, but take advantage of the benefits of group practice.
Zen Walking Meditation
Walking meditation in zen is a group practice that is done inside the temple. All the meditators walk with their backs upright in a clockwise circle, which means you have to adjust your pace to the meditators in front and behind you. That comes naturally with practice, though.
Again, walking meditation in a group is done to build up as much mental energy a possible, which in turn fuels concentration.
In other Buddhist traditions walking meditation is not a group practice and is usually practiced outdoors, ideally in nature.
If you’re new to walking meditation, I suggest that you give it a try. The combination of sitting and walking meditation is superior to sitting meditation alone. Your meditation practice would benefit greatly, by combining the two.
In conclusion, I would say that zen meditation has a strong emphasis on group practice. That’s why I like zen, aside from the clear-cut simplicity of zen culture.
Good luck!
Axel Gjertsen is a former Buddhist monk who lives in Thailand. He runs axel g which is a personal development site with a focus on meditation.
Author: Axel Gjertsen
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Guided Meditation – What is it and How Does it Work?
Posted by on Jun 27, 2010
Guided meditation is simply “meditation with the help of a guide”. It’s one of the easiest ways to enter into a state of deep relaxation and inner stillness, and it’s one of the most powerful ways to eliminate stress and bring about positive personal changes.
The guided meditation process
Guided meditations are usually experienced with the help of a meditation teacher, or by listening to a recording.
Your meditation guide will ask you to sit comfortably, or in some cases, you may be asked to lie down. You then listen to your guide while they lead you through a series of relaxing visualizations. As you gradually relax and become more and more still, stress fades away, and your mind becomes clearer and clearer.
While you are in this deeply relaxed state of mind, your subconscious is open to positive suggestions, and your guide will use this time to take you on an inner journey that is designed to improve one or more aspects of your life. For example, a guided meditation might be tailored towards personal empowerment and positive thinking. Another might focus on emotional healing or spiritual development. You might be taken on a guided journey to unleash your full potential, or you may choose to go on a guided meditation journey simply for the sheer pleasure of experiencing profoundly deep relaxation.
As you can now see, a guided meditation can be an experience that is not only relaxing, but one that enhances your sense of self, that transforms your perspective in positive ways, and that inspires you to live your life to the fullest.
It’s an effortless and very enjoyable experience that results in deep relaxation, elimination of stress and a heightened appreciation of life.
At the conclusion of your guided meditation, your guide will gradually bring you back to a state of normal awareness, leaving you feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and relaxed. A guided meditation might be as short as 5 minutes, or as long as an hour, depending on your personal preference. In most cases, a guided meditation of 20 minutes or longer is recommended if you wish to experience a truly deep state of relaxation and maximize the positive benefits.
What makes guided meditation different?
Most traditional meditation techniques require you to take command of your own awareness by concentrating your attention on a single point of focus. This point of focus might be your breathing, it might be a physical action, or more commonly, it may be on a mantra – a sound, word or phrase that you repeat to yourself mentally.
While these powerful meditation techniques are wonderful for achieving inner stillness and for enhancing your ability to concentrate, some people find them difficult to master.
One of the main reasons why guided meditations are such a popular alternative to traditional meditation techniques is because they require no previous training or effort to enjoy. Even if you are someone who finds it extremely difficult to let go of thoughts, even if you are highly stressed or overloaded with mental activity, you will quickly achieve inner stillness and peace of mind when you listen to a guided meditation.
Because this type of meditation is so easy, it is very useful for people who are new to meditation. However, guided meditations can also be of great benefit to people who are very experienced at meditation. Experienced meditators will still use guided meditations in order to experience a deeper or more vivid meditation, to delve deeper into their mind than they are normally able, or to target a specific aspect of personal development that they wish to address.
Guided meditation also differs from traditional meditation in the way that it uses music and nature sounds to enhance your meditation experience.
The role of music and nature sounds in guided meditation
Guided meditation recordings usually include tranquil meditation music that helps you to relax while you are guided through the meditation. Think about how much difference a good soundtrack makes to a movie. Guided meditations benefit from music in a similar way. Music adds another dimension of expression and depth to your guided meditation journey, whilst soothing your mind.
It’s also not uncommon for guided meditation CD’s and MP3′s to include nature sounds. These sounds are very relaxing, and they may also be used to enhance the vividness of the visualizations that you experience during the meditation. For example, if you are guided to visualize yourself standing on a sandy beach, then your experience of that visualization will be more authentic if you can actually hear the sound of ocean waves.
In contrast to traditional meditation, in which your aim is to achieve mental stillness through concentration exercises, guided meditations rely on a vivid tapestry of visualizations, music and environmental sounds to relax you, to captivate your attention and to immerse you in an inner journey. Because this inner journey can be tailored to achieve specific outcomes, guided meditation may be even more powerful than traditional, passive meditation techniques when it comes to effecting positive personal changes in your life.
Dr. Christopher Lloyd Clarke
Meditation really is one of the most powerful ways to experience inner peace and to improve your quality of life. For more information about guided meditation and to learn how to meditate for free, please visit The Guided Meditation Site.
Author: Dr. Christopher Lloyd Clarke, D. M.Sc.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Learn to Meditate Today
Posted by on Jun 24, 2010
So you want to learn to meditate? We hear about meditation in the news, read about it on the internet, and some of us may even have a friend or two that do it themselves. Nowadays, the stress is so overwhelming in so many people’s lives that they are going back to a centuries old practice that is meditation. Meditation is not a religion nor a culture. Though it is practiced by Buddhists, you do not have to be a Buddhist to meditate.
In fact, millions of people meditate on a regular basis and don’t have a the first clue about Buddhism. Yet, a lot of people out there still have the misconception that in order to meditate, you’ve got to be a Buddhist and have to meditate in a monastery somewhere up in a mountain in Asia. This could not be further from the truth.
So, what exactly is meditation you might ask? Well, according to Wikipedia, meditation is “a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the reflexive, ‘thinking’ mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness.” What does that mean? In plain English, meditation is about becoming better aware of yourself, and thereby developing a clearer and more focused mind.
These are some common benefits that you can expect from meditating:
1) Those who learn to meditate become aware of their intelligence. This is a means of objectively interacting with the world without bias.
2) Those who learn to meditate develop an awareness of self that allows us to focus on the present and not worry about the past or present (in a stressful manner).
3) Those who learn to meditate develop insight of the connections between the mind and body, and establish a better control over them.
4) Those who learn to meditate become more appreciative of life. Those small moments will bring as much or more joy as grand ones.
5) Those who learn to meditate learn to accept what life offers, and not to be concerned about what we want it to be. Jealousy and frustration will begin to fade.
It really is true. Those that learn to meditate place themselves in a position of realizing a much healthier and productive lifestyle. After all, who doesn’t want to feel better about themselves? The obvious question is… This sounds great, but can I learn to meditate? The fact that you are reading this article points to the two requirements that are necessary to begin the process of meditation: 1) you can read and 2) you can grasp what you read. That’s all you need to be able to do in order to learn to meditate. It’s really that simple to begin. Now you have an idea of what meditation is and how it benefits you; you ready to get started? Great!
First of all, there are a whole lot of meditation techniques that are available to pursue. Each one has different methods to achieve the benefit we have been talking about. Mantra Meditation, for example, uses chanting and mantras, while Vipassana concentrates on breathing. Those who want to learn to meditate will have to choose a method that best suits them.
Anyway, there are basic techniques that can be applied to meditation regardless of the specific method one chooses. These are a few things that one should keep in mind as they begin their meditation journey:
1) Find the perfect spot to meditate – find a clean, quiet and secluded spot to meditate.
2) Ensure that no one bothers you
3) Make sure you reach a good posture
4) Practice and learn the 3 yoga meditation aides of deep contraction, deep relaxation, and deep breathing.
5) Be patient. Mastering a meditation practice is a process that takes time and consistent effort.
6) Relax. Remember that meditation is enjoyable and not a religious ritual of any sort.
7) Be consistent and practice your meditation techniques regularly. Make meditation a habit in your life.
As you begin to learn to meditate, you will begin to experience all of the benefits that meditation offers. Start today. Those who learn to meditate will not be disappointed with the results.
Are you ready to get started? Sign up for our Free 5 Day Meditation Course and start meditating today. You’ll learn specific instructions and techniques to make your meditation more effective and learn how to overcome common obstacles.
About the Author: Sonia Gallagher is a recovering lawyer who now publishes information on meditation in an easy to understand, “plain English” manner for busy professionals, parents, and business owners. After practicing in one of the most stressful professions in the US, she now shares information with others on how to meditate, different meditation techniques, and how to apply the benefits to daily life. Make sure to sign up for the The Garden Newsletter to learn tips at her site mymeditationgarden.com.
Sonia Gallagher is a recovering lawyer who now publishes information on meditation in an easy to understand, “plain English” manner for busy professionals, parents, and business owners. After practicing in one of the most stressful professions in the US, she now shares information with others on how to meditate, the benefits of meditation, and meditation techniques. Make sure to sign up for the The Garden Newsletter to learn tips.
Author: Sonia Gallagher
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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