Posts Tagged ‘Meditation’

Zen Meditation Is More Than Taking Deep Breadths

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008

If you had to pinpoint one thing that is essential in the Buddhist practice it would have to be meditation. It is a deep breathing exercise that works to clear stress and helps focus concentration. Many people mistakenly believe that meditation only involves taking deep breaths but there is more to Zen meditation than just that. The practice of Buddhist meditation is one as old as the religion itself and it plays a fundamental role in achieving balance and harmony in a person`s life.

If you are going to practice Zen meditation, then you are going to have to use the zazen. The zazen is all of the positions, breathing and mind clearing exercises that every Buddhist uses.

The Tibetan Buddhist and even the simple Nichiren Buddhist monk practice zazen. Before you begin you need to understand that there are some steps that must be performed before the meditating can start.

The first step in Buddhist meditation is to find your position. This can be one of several positions. The Burmese position is where the legs are folded and the feet both touch the floor.

The best way to be in the Lotus or Half Lotus position is to have your backside elevated on a special pillow, which will allow you to sit freely but with your legs positioned correctly. You can find this pillow online or in many specialty shops.

The Lotus or Half Lotus position involves sitting on the floor with your legs folded up on one another. You will resemble a pretzel in this position and it is definitely a hard one to attain when you are just starting out.

If you have joint pains, then this may not be the best position for you to sit in. In that case you need to sit comfortably in a chair with your feet firmly planted and your shoulders squarely aligned with the rest of your body.

The final part of the Buddhist meditation ritual is your breathing and concentration. Begin by taking in deep breaths through your nose and slowly exhaling the breath from your mouth. At the same time, clear your thoughts and be mindful of what your body is telling you.

Try to slow your breathing down and begin focusing on clearing your mind. It is perfectly fine if you have intrusive thoughts. Now is the time to acknowledge them and then let them go. It is a process of finding peace within yourself and letting go of your stressors.

Zen meditation is something that everyone can attain if the time is taken to learn how to perform meditation properly. No, you may never have the concentration of a Buddhist monk but give yourself some time.

It is a learning experience and you will acquire new knowledge as you undertake some of the Buddhist studies. You do not have to embrace the religion totally, yet you can find peace and tranquility through Buddhist teachings.

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Meditation Techniques for Beginners, Types of Meditations

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Meditation is an intensely personal and spiritual experience. The purpose of each meditation technique is to channel awareness into a more positive direction by totally transforming one`s state of mind. The mediation is to turn inwards and to concentrate on the inner self.

There are many meditation techniques for beginners, I believe that guided meditation is the best for learning how to meditate. In order to keep your mind from racing and to focus your attention you can create a guided meditation using a simple recording device. The key is to speak slowly and clearly in a calm and relaxing voice. Begin by relaxing your body starting at your head, and moving down your scalp, face, neck, throat chest back, arms, hands, abdomen, pelvic girdle, buttocks, legs, feet toes. Talk gently and slowly and use the word relax many times.

When learning how to meditate the important thing is to start somewhere. You can always improve your meditation techniques once you’ve started but if you don’t apply any techniques on how to meditate then you’ve got nowhere.

Mindfulness meditation involves opening the attention to become aware of the continuously passing parade of sensations and feelings, images, thoughts, sounds, smells, and so forth without becoming involved in thinking about them. The meditator sits quietly and simply witnesses whatever goes through the mind, not reacting or becoming involved with thoughts, memories, worries, or images. This helps to gain a more calm, clear, and non-reactive state of mind.

Mantra meditation forms the heart of the Hindu faith and it`s effectiveness has also been proven by centuries of successful application. In mantra meditation, you pick a mantra that suits you and then repeat it mentally or out loud continuously. This technique, just like Zen Meditation, will help develop your concentration, mental focus and awareness.

Controlling Your Breath At no time during the practice of this technique should you make any effort to control the breath. Let it flow naturally. Gradually, you may notice that the pauses between the inhalation and exhalation are becoming longer. Enjoy these pauses, for they are a glimpse of the deep peace state of advanced meditation. As you grow very calm you may notice that the breath is becoming so shallow (or the pauses so prolonged) that it hardly seems necessary to breathe at all.

Taoist meditation methods have many points in common with Hindu and Buddhist systems, but the Taoist way is less abstract and far more down-to-earth than the contemplative traditions which evolved in India. The primary hallmark of Taoist meditation is the generation, transformation, and circulation of internal energy. Once the meditator has `achieved energy` (deh-chee), it can be applied to promoting health and longevity, nurturing the `spiritual embryo` of immortality, martial arts, healing, painting and poetry, sensual self-indulgence, or whatever else the adept wishes to do with it.

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Meditation And Addiction

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Meditation can be a very effective way to overcome the powerful reactions that occur in your mind during drug withdrawal. Your inner voices will be telling you all sorts of different things when you are trying to get off drugs. If you recognize these damaging inner voices and take steps to calm them, your chance to successfully recover is significantly increased.

If you take a moment and practice some meditation techniques, your body will calm and those voices will go away. We could make an entire article on meditation – in fact, we have! However, following are some basic meditation exercises you can try. First, you need to be in a quiet place free of distractions. Get comfortable and allow yourself a little bit of time to relax and be open to the meditations. You will be focusing your mind on an object of thought or awareness and acknowledging where your mindset is now and where you want it to be. The first stage in meditation is to stop distractions and make your mind more lucid and clearer. This can be accomplished through simple breathing meditation. Sit in a position that is comfortable for you. You may want to try sitting cross legged keeping your spine straight and resting your arms comfortably in your lap.

Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Breathe naturally through your nose. Don`t try to control your breathing, simply become aware of the air coming in and out of your nose. Feel the sensation of the breath with each inhalation and exhalation. At first, your mind will be very busy and you might think the meditation isn`t working. But what you are doing is becoming aware of just how busy your mind is. Resist following thoughts as they arise. Just concentrate on your breaths and how they feel. If you find your mind wandering, just bring it back to the breathing. Keep doing this as many times as is necessary.

Meditation requires great patience. You can`t control your thoughts unless you train yourself to do so. Practice breathing meditation as often as you can. With time and practice, you will find yourself slipping into the state of mind you need to be in much quicker.When you exhale, you may want to try humming or repeating a word over and over. We like to use the word “Peace” or “Serenity”, but you can choose whatever word will calm you.

Buddhist meditation suggests that you say your chosen phrase or word during inhalation. Their phrase is generally “Ham Sah” which means “I am that.” Then when you exhale, say “Saah” which should sound like a sigh. They find this very relaxing and it helps them get in touch with their inner thoughts. In researching this article, we found a great website you may want to visit. At www.learningmeditation.com, you can go to their meditation room where they have various recorded meditations you can listen to that will help you relax and feel renewed. When you concentrate on the voice that is speaking, you can become more focused and relax.

Another good technique is to picture a relaxing place for you. This might be a sunny beach or in a warm bath. Wherever you are most relaxed is where you should picture in your head. Imagine you are there and feel the sensations that the image conjures up. You can also use progressive muscle relaxation to get rid of your stress. PMR involves concentrating on one part of the body at a time. Start with your right leg. Tighten the muscles in your leg and hold the tightening for a few seconds – a count of ten perhaps. Then relax those muscles feeling the sensation that you get with that relaxation. Move on to each part of your body using the same technique until you have covered them all.

Exercise is great for stress relief. You may want to look into yoga classes. Yoga is a very spiritual exercise method and can do wonders for stress relief. Tai Chi is another spiritual form of exercise that requires you to concentrate on your body rather than your mind. When you do that, you will find yourself becoming much more relaxed and able to cope with the world. There is one aspect of drug addiction that we haven`t addressed yet, and we would be remiss if we didn`t acknowledge this growing problem.

To read about exercise addiction and chocolate addiction, visit the Addiction Facts site.

Transcendental Meditation, Benefits of Meditation

Monday, December 29th, 2008

Transcendental meditation was taught for the first time in the West about fifty years ago by the physician and philosopher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It soon became very popular around the world because of its many positive effects. This particular meditation technique is independent of local values, religions, faiths and political convictions.

The practice of transcendental Meditation is not only that, a practice, but also, it seems, a product. You see, transcendental meditation is actually a technique that was revealed in the latter part of the 1950’s by one Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Transcendental Meditation not only improves your ability to focus but it stimulates creativity and works wonders for your physical health. It is proven that those engaged in regular practice of Transcendental Meditation have fewer medical problems than those who are not.

No other meditation technique has been so extensively studied and researched. During transcendental meditation, the brain falls into a theta brain wave pattern (akin to sleep and deep relaxation), which then carries over to the state of wakefulness. Physical benefits include increased mental comprehension, focus, retention and creativity. Another interesting benefit is the actual reversal of the aging process. In a study conducted by the International Journal of Neuroscience, the biological age of practitioners of transcendental meditation was, on average, twelve years younger than their chronological age.

The first three states of this technique of meditation are awakening, dream and dream sleep less. These states are usually the countries that can be achieved in many other meditation techniques, not just one. The fourth state is called the transcendental consciousness, which in time can be maintained that the person practising the Transcendental Meditation technique goes on his daily life.

The benefits of meditation can be availed of by anyone who decides to practice this art. There are many misconceptions related to meditation such as it is exclusively for people who are on a spiritual search or that it is concerned with focusing or concentrating. Meditation is not concentration, though concentration can be a by-product and benefit of meditation.

The health benefits of meditation are astounding. The simple act of breathing properly in meditation (and the rest of the time, once you develop the habit) massages and relaxes our muscles and organs. This causes the chi to flow more easily through our body, cleansing and rejuvenating it. At deeper levels we can use meditation to focus more energy on specific organs or muscles to help cleanse them of disease and stress.

The benefits of meditation also include getting a handle on your emotions. A lot of the time we let our emotions run our lives, but we need to realize that most of these negative emotions are coming from obsessive thoughts about the future or the past. The past is over and we have no immediate control of the future so people need to learn to be present to get conscious, or in touch with their inner, true self.

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Yoga & Meditation in India

Friday, December 12th, 2008

Yoga & Meditation in India was propounded by the ancient Indian sage Patanjali and is derived from the Sanskrit word `Yog` which means `union,` presumably union with the divine being or God. One of the orthodox systems of healing the mind and body is Yoga and Meditation, they are among the best alternative processes used as the remedial of various diseases. Literally meaning union, yoga seeks to unite the individual soul with the universal Soul or God, not through any religious rites but through a uninterrupted effort to control one`s mental and physical faculties. Meditation and Yoga are synonymous with India and if you want a truly happy and spiritual experience then come for a Yoga and Meditation tour to India, that will go far beyond a holiday or vacation you have experienced so far. The yoga and meditation tours, one of the theme travel tour in India, allow you to combine travel with the peaceful sacred experiences.

Physically Yoga helps in cleansing the body of toxins, muscle toning, improving blood circulation, correct body posture and the like, at the highbrow level it helps the practitioner to surpass the unrealities of a materialistic life and be in communion with the Supreme Being. We have exclusive Yoga and naturopathy tours under the guidance of experts at places like Rishikesh and Uttarkashi with special meditation classes in the Himalayas. Some of the most common practiced types of Yoga are: Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Tantric Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Raja Yoga.
Yoga in India is gaining more and more attention with every passing day. However, it must be mentioned that the aim and motto of yoga can differ from person to person. Physical seaworthiness, flexibility and spiritual growth are the main bases of yoga. This holistic approach goes a long way in achieving excellent results. A stress-free, calm, balanced and fit body adds up as the reward for regular practitioners of yoga.

While, Meditation is a part of yoga that soothes the mind in an unbelievable manner. The art of meditation in India should be practiced with a well-trained guru. Its practice will not only calm the senses but also help in honing the power of concentration. Meditation can increase your patience besides making you view life in a new dimension altogether. The disturbed mind, the restless psyche can be well treated by this ancient therapy without the help of any medicine. A balanced mind is what meditation propagates and helps every practitioner achieve.

Apollo Hospital – Apollo has a well-equipped Yoga and Meditation department. Various diseases have their own requirements and characteristics. In fact, every human problem differs from the other. Therefore, it is necessary to have a proper consultation with qualified doctor before undergoing any sort of treatment. The expert doctors specialized in yoga and meditation will cure you completely. Besides, the Yoga and Meditation department in Apollo hospital is among the best you can ever go to.

Apart from this, there are various centers all over the country like Madras in (Chennai), Rishikesh, Haridwar, Shivpuri, Kerala, and Bihar one can find several meditation centers.

So, Rejuvenate yourself in the traditional Indian way.

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Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe, with which meditation should I go?

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Whenever I`ve taught meditation there`d be those that immediately `got it`, and those who found it a struggle. However, with continued practise and learning how to refocus, those who initially struggled eventually also `got it`. Not only that, after time they discovered their own unique way of getting into the zone quickly and easily.

There are many different styles of meditation, so which one is right for you?

You can choose from:

1. A writing meditation – using either the dominant or non-dominant hand

2. Focussing on an object such as a candle

3. Repeating Mantras

4. A visually guided meditation

5. Through painting or sketching

6. Walking – anywhere

7. Through breath work

8. Body movement

9. Swimming

10. Listening to soothing music

To find one you`re going to be happy with try and road test a few first.

Maybe you`ve already tried to meditate and found yourself even more frustrated than before you started.

Two comments I`ve heard in the past regarding meditation that really stand out for me are:

1. To meditate you must completely clear your mind and think nothing.

Yeah right. Personally this has never worked for me, nor have I observed this to work with newcomers. How can anyone new to this practise think nothing? Words as well as immediate issues arise, and mind chatter just keeps on keeping on. The good news is that you can learn to overcome this, it just takes some practise coupled with patience.

2. If you`re stressed, meditate.

Speaking from experience, if I am pretty stressed out (which incidentally happens rarely) and I try to have a decent meditation session, it rarely works well for me. For a start I`m not adequately prepared eg, not in the present moment and still in problem solving mode. From my observation of others when they`re stressed and try to meditate they become further frustrated because they`re unable to stay focussed and get into the zone. The secret is to prepare yourself adequately first.

Find yourself a technique you know you`ll enjoy so practising will be a positive experience. Alternatively find yourself a meditation group that has a good teacher. Not only will you learn to meditate, you might also form some great friendships that will last a lifetime.

Meditation is a discipline that can be learned through a step by step process, and once adept, you can use it for any number of reasons. Decide if your meditation is for relaxation; connection to spirit or self; to achieve clarity of mind; or to regain some inner strength.

My reasons for meditation are numerous. I meditate on purpose to receive answers to questions I might have. Before going into a meditative state I write down exactly what my question is, give it a timeline, and wait. Generally the answer is received during the session or shortly afterwards, depending of course on the timeline I gave.

I`ll also meditate to access my creative self. After I`ve jotted down what my intention is I go into a meditative state with pen and paper handy. Generally what happens for me is that I start receiving ideas one after the after which I quickly jot down. I`ve written an entire workshop through one of these meditation sessions.

A great self healing tool, whenever I feel `flat` I`ll use colours, crystals, sound, and essential oils for my meditation sessions. After each session I am lighter, centred, balanced, and more focused.

So if you`re now ready and keen to get started with some serious (or light hearted)meditation simply follow the 10 basic points listed below to help you on your way:

1. Decide where and when you want to meditate.

2. Get yourself ready by putting on soothing music and have your aromatherapy oil burning with your favourite oil blend. Activate the answering machine. Is there anything else you need?

3. You might like to have a journal and pen ready for some note taking at the end of your meditation with inspirations and insights that come to you.

4. Spend a little while settling into your space until you`re happy with your comfort level. Are you too cold or hot or is the temperature just right?

5. Slowly begin breathing in and out, using your diaphragm muscles tuning into the rhythm of your breathing and the rise and fall of your chest.

6. You may wish to close your eyes at this point and enjoy this peaceful, relaxing moment, closing the door to the outside world for now.

7. If closing your eyes is not for you, focus on an object such as a candle (take extra care with any lit flame) or something similar.

8. If images or internal chatter starts to become frustrating, avoid suppressing them, instead name them, release them, and move on. If this persists, make a mental note that you will deal with it after your session. Refocus and continue.

9. When you`re ready to come back, return wide awake and alert, wriggling your toes and touching your nose and have a really, really big stretch.

10. Use your journal to write any insights or inspirations you may have had during your journey, or simply enjoy the present moment with greater clarity and peace.

Welcome back! If you haven`t tried meditation yet, why not give it a go? Add another `life skill` to your resource toolkit and enjoy greater health and wellbeing!

Basic Meditation Techniques Build a Strong Foundation

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

In this technique, you will focus on your breath to develop an unconscious connection so the positive feelings of relaxation, peace and well-being will be established within you and you`ll be capable of retrieving these feeling whenever you wish. Do not rush this process or hold unrealistic expectations of fast results. It takes time to train your mind to exercise basic control of your thoughts before you can direct the mind toward specific intentions.

Level 1:
The first stage of meditation is actually a technique in concentration. Once relaxed, focus on your breath for a few minutes. After you find yourself completely relaxed and at ease, focus on the sounds around you. Try not to form thoughts about the sounds but rather just listen and let your mind flow around and through the sounds without clarification or judgment. Do this exercise for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, releasing your attention to the sounds and focusing on your breath as you begin to be more aware of your body.

Repeat this exercise until you can easily follow known sounds, expected sounds and unexpected sounds with the same calm, focused attention. You might start with a favorite, calming or soothing piece of music. Next, once you have mastered the known sound concentration technique, you might focus on a classical piece of music you are not too familiar with. When you feel comfortable with being able to follow this piece of music without trailing off into uncontrolled thought, you are ready to move to the final sound exercise.

The final sound focus will be on unusual sounds, such Whale Songs, or Songs of the Wolves or digital sounds. When you are able to follow sounds without your mind wandering regardless of the source, you are ready for Level 2. Level 2 may take you several weeks of practice before you are able to stay focused for 15 to 20 minutes without your mind wandering. Give yourself the time. Remember, learning to control your thoughts through this concentration exercise is like building up a new muscle.

Level 2:
The second level in this technique for improving your meditation skills focuses on your imagination and visualization abilities. After going through the relaxation process and placing yourself in a comfortable position, focus on your breath for a few minutes until you are completely relaxed and centered. You are now going to create a scene in your mind of your favorite place. This favorite place may exist in reality or only in your mind. Take the time to carefully build a detailed image of this place where you can feel the air, hear the sounds, and be aware of the smells surrounding you as you place yourself in the center of this favorite place. Spend time in this place over and over in meditation until you can quickly and clearly call upon this imagery whenever you want. Along with the image will come all the feelings of well-being, joy, peace and happiness that associate to your favorite place.

Level 3:
The third level of meditation skill development focuses on a structured thought such as a favorite saying or aphorism. There are many to choose from. Use one that generates exploratory thought processes for you. Unlike previous exercises, you are now going to let your thoughts flow. Follow these thoughts through imagery, feelings and awareness until you know that you have absorbed the meaning of this aphorism thoroughly. What will surprise you is the depth and breadth of understanding an even simple saying can produce.

Using these techniques will open you to a world of thought management, directional focus and a deeper understanding of self and acceptance of others. By focusing on the breath as you develop your meditation and concentration skills, you will begin to unconsciously associate these peaceful and relaxed feelings with the control of your breath. Then when you are faced with a stressful situation, you can call up these feelings by simply slowing your breath and consciously relaxing your muscles. Using this technique, relaxation and feelings of well-being will always be available when you need it.

(c)2005 TAO Consultants, Inc. All rights reserved.
website: www.taototem.com

About The Author:

Chesa Keane has taught meditation and self-help for more than 30 years. To receive your free starter Basic Meditation and Basic Relaxation Techniques and an introduction to a unique meditation tool, the TAO Totem, visit: www.taottoem.com .

Meditation in simple language.

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Meditation is described in two very different ways.

1. In western world meditation is concentrating your mind on one thing and not thinking about any thing else.
2. In eastern world meditation is switching off your mind. That is not thinking about any thing at all.

Overall, meditation is an adventurous inward journey. It is about discovering self. Meditation increases the inner awareness. It is a path to show the life path.
Meditation leads to a state of consciousness that brings serenity, clarity, and bliss.
Meditation sensitizes and harnesses the power of mind.
Meditation is one of the best methods to bring about transformation and nurture the natural qualities within.
Meditation techniques simply involve a process of transforming yourself, your thoughts, and recognizing the negative thoughts, and changing them into positive and peaceful thoughts.
Meditation is a form of stress management that will allow our mind to experience an oasis of peace and love within our heart and mind.
Meditation makes you to live longer to meditate more. Meditation builds platform for a healthy lifestyle.
Meditation neutralizes emotions into the state of bliss & nirvana.
Meditation is for all. It is for children, youth and the aged.
Meditation leads to inner peace and the inner peace leads to world peace.
Meditation heals self and meditation heals the world.

Guided Meditation

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Just as there are many teachers, there are a wide variety of guided meditations. Ideally, their goal is to allow you to be both alert and relaxed, while your guide draws your attention to that which is larger, grander, and wiser than yourself. Through regular use of guided meditation, you improve your sense of oneness with that which transcends you, and yet is at the heart of you.

Here is a guided meditation I received from fellow-writer and chaplain, Christie McKaskle. You can lengthen or shorten the pauses to fit your needs. In fact, she suggests recording both a short and a long version, so you can use this guided meditation no matter what your schedule is like. You can record your own voice reading it or ask a beloved person to read it for you.

“Take a breath and get comfortable (pause).

Breathe again. If any of your clothes are binding, loosen them (pause).

If you are chilly, get a sweater or shawl. If you`re warm, remove a layer.

Breathe.

Breathe and allow your eyes to close (pause).

Notice the sounds around you – voices, dogs barking, any traffic sounds (pause).

Notice the sounds within you – your stomach growling, your heart beating, your blood rushing throughout your body (pause).

Listen to all of these sounds and allow them to become a picture in your mind. See them as waves, like those at the surface of a choppy lake or ocean. But instead of an ocean of water, this is an ocean of being, where you breathe more freely and deeply, the further down you go. This is an ocean in which you live and move and have your being.

Take a deep breath, hold it for a second, and as you exhale now, go deeper into Being,
Down past the surface noise,
Down past your history, with all its victories and disappointments,
Down to the ground of your being.
Take a moment to settle here and get your bearings (pause).

Once you feel centered, look around and see that everything you need is here – perfect peace, vibrant health, constant love, endless supply for all your needs. They`re all here as pure potential. You give them form in your imagination (pause).

Look at all of these forms of good, and choose one to take with you now. Take whatever you need – a more harmonious expression of peace, more compassionate and generous love, livelier health, or a constant, generous overflow of supply for every need. Choose the good you want now, and have no fear: you can return here at any time to get anything else you need. What are you willing to take with you right now? Whatever you are willing to receive is yours by right of consciousness (pause).

Breathe in, and as you do, take that quality of life from pure being into your physical form. It is a part of you now and will come back with you into your manifest life. As you take one last look around, you see that you have always had a connection to this place. A golden cord grows from the center of you and anchors you here. You never saw it before, but now you know it`s what drew you here, and will bring you here again.

So breathe again, and as you exhale, head back to the surface of your life on the daily physical plane. Take a moment to bring your full awareness to your body and your surroundings, and open your eyes when you`re ready.”

You are free to adapt this guided meditation as you wish. Soon, you`ll become so familiar with the experience, you`ll feel ready to choose a new one from the thousands of CDs and tapes available. Or, write and record a new one of your own!

What is meditation – how to meditate

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

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.

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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.

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