Maybe you've considered taking up meditation because you've heard that the benefits are fantastic. However, if you've hesitated because you think it might be too hard, you can relax. Meditation is really quite simple.
When you meditate, your body and mind are in a state of purposeful focus and rest. You will have sharpened consciousness of both your outer environment and your inner self.
There are numerous schools of thought regarding meditation. At their core, however, the principles are the same. The key to the practice of meditation is to calm your mind by eliminating negative thoughts through intense focus. Afterwards, your thoughts will be less scattered and your actions more purposeful.
Picture it as spring cleaning of your inner self. Your harmful thoughts (think of your reaction to long line-ups, rude customer service representatives and your friend's new boat) are what "pollute" your mind. Meditation "cleanses" the mind, and lets you focus on the stuff that really matters.
Your meditation session will be most effective in a calm environment. Find a room in the house where you feel comfortable. If there are other people at home, choose a location where you can close the door and muffle the noise. Turn off the phone, the dishwasher, the washing machine, and don't let anyone vacuum.
Once meditating is part of your routine, you'll likely want some extras to enhance the experience. Calming meditation tapes, some aromatic candles and a meditation chair or pillow will help to set the stage.
You've almost certainly seen the characteristic images of meditation; people twisted up like a pretzel with flawless stance. You'll be reassured to know that this isn't at all compulsory. The plan is to be comfortably positioned so you can concentrate on your meditation, not your painful muscles. You can sit with your legs crossed or extended and with your back against the wall, you can stand up, lie down, and even walk around.
It is important, however, to keep your back straight while sitting or standing. No slumping allowed, or you might just fall asleep. To help you be comfortable in your chosen position, you'll want to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes so that you're not focusing on your waistband digging into your gut. You have more important things to focus on.
Many practitioners of meditation incorporate a mantra into their routine. A mantra is a word or sound that is continuously repeated, and your full concentration should be on nothing but that sound. Pick a word or phrase that has meaning to you, or just a sound that feels good. Although not a necessary component of meditation, it does help you to focus on your breathing and can lead you to a higher state of consciousness.
Focus is the most important aspect of meditation. Envision an object in your mind or look at an object in your vicinity, and contemplate it to the exclusion of anything else. The same applies to a particular thought as well as to your mantra.
Try this easy meditation exercise to get you started. Settle yourself in your quite location. Close your eyes, and imagine each part of your body in order, either from the bottom up or top down. Wordlessly name each part as you concentrate on it and give it your complete attention. You'll notice right away if a particular location is tense or painful. In your mind, imagine the tension leaving your body. You'll be astonished and pleased by the results. - 14915
When you meditate, your body and mind are in a state of purposeful focus and rest. You will have sharpened consciousness of both your outer environment and your inner self.
There are numerous schools of thought regarding meditation. At their core, however, the principles are the same. The key to the practice of meditation is to calm your mind by eliminating negative thoughts through intense focus. Afterwards, your thoughts will be less scattered and your actions more purposeful.
Picture it as spring cleaning of your inner self. Your harmful thoughts (think of your reaction to long line-ups, rude customer service representatives and your friend's new boat) are what "pollute" your mind. Meditation "cleanses" the mind, and lets you focus on the stuff that really matters.
Your meditation session will be most effective in a calm environment. Find a room in the house where you feel comfortable. If there are other people at home, choose a location where you can close the door and muffle the noise. Turn off the phone, the dishwasher, the washing machine, and don't let anyone vacuum.
Once meditating is part of your routine, you'll likely want some extras to enhance the experience. Calming meditation tapes, some aromatic candles and a meditation chair or pillow will help to set the stage.
You've almost certainly seen the characteristic images of meditation; people twisted up like a pretzel with flawless stance. You'll be reassured to know that this isn't at all compulsory. The plan is to be comfortably positioned so you can concentrate on your meditation, not your painful muscles. You can sit with your legs crossed or extended and with your back against the wall, you can stand up, lie down, and even walk around.
It is important, however, to keep your back straight while sitting or standing. No slumping allowed, or you might just fall asleep. To help you be comfortable in your chosen position, you'll want to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes so that you're not focusing on your waistband digging into your gut. You have more important things to focus on.
Many practitioners of meditation incorporate a mantra into their routine. A mantra is a word or sound that is continuously repeated, and your full concentration should be on nothing but that sound. Pick a word or phrase that has meaning to you, or just a sound that feels good. Although not a necessary component of meditation, it does help you to focus on your breathing and can lead you to a higher state of consciousness.
Focus is the most important aspect of meditation. Envision an object in your mind or look at an object in your vicinity, and contemplate it to the exclusion of anything else. The same applies to a particular thought as well as to your mantra.
Try this easy meditation exercise to get you started. Settle yourself in your quite location. Close your eyes, and imagine each part of your body in order, either from the bottom up or top down. Wordlessly name each part as you concentrate on it and give it your complete attention. You'll notice right away if a particular location is tense or painful. In your mind, imagine the tension leaving your body. You'll be astonished and pleased by the results. - 14915
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Learn more about the many health benefits of the ancient practice of meditation by visiting Meditation Techniques: Relax Your Mind, Reduce Your Stress.
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