Meditation Before A Tarot Card Reading by Jackson Swift
If you plan to get a tarot card reading or any astrology report, then it is best to do a little meditation beforehand. This clears up all of your blocked chakras, and brings you the right energy you need for a psychic reading and astrology reading. Psychics can get easily distracted by unwanted energy around you. This gives for a reading that is not so accurate, because you will be carrying a lot of excess baggage. Especially for online tarot reading and horoscopes reading, you want your energy to be clear to get the best psychic advice and astrology report you can get. Working with the tarot requires some patience and preparation, but it can be greatly beneficial.
There are some meditation techniques you can use to make the most out of your tarot card readings and astrology report. Meditation is very easy, but it needs the right elements to work. If you are planning to meditate, you should first find a place where you can concentrate and be alone with your thoughts. It is important to choose a location that you feel comfortable in, free from all the stresses of everyday living. Your room can be the best place for this. However, you need to turn off all distractions such as the television, radio, or computer. If you like to meditate with a little music, then you can do so, but keep in mind to choose relaxing tunes.
You can try two types of meditation: stabilized and analytical. Stabilized meditation will help slow down the activity in your body and mind. This is achieved through concentration. On the other hand, analytical meditation deals with intelligence, creativeness and other personality traits. Remember to always relax and keep your focus when meditating. Meditation before a tarot reading can help you get better, accurate results. With the help of online psychics, you can get good psychic advice even if you’re half a world away.
Tarot Cards in Pop Culture
Tarot cards have been around for a very long time. They were once used by the French and Italians as regular playing cards, much like a regular deck today. However, gypsies have utilized the tarot and have made them one of the most versatile forms of divination. Each card on the tarot deck depicts a picture. For the Major Arcana, the pictures are usually of archetypes present in life. These are used to predict or analyze major issues in life. The Minor Arcana, on the other hand, incorporates different situations in life. This division of the tarot deck is used for every day problems. Each picture is beautifully drawn, much like a piece of art drawn in seventy six different cards. This is very important as this gives the reader some inspiration.
Arcana literally means secret. Tarot cards hold secrets that only an experienced psychic reader can unlock. This is probably the reason why we are so fascinated in the Tarot and it's secrets. In pop culture, we can see a lot of references to the tarot. Alejandro Jodorowsky, for example, used tarot cards as an inspiration for his movie the Holy Mountain. The Fool of the Major Arcana and the Five of Wands of the Minor Arcana were his characters. Disney's the Princess and the Frog also had a character who was a magician and tarot card expert. In modern literature, Neil Gaimann's short stories mention the use of tarot cards to know and see evil.
A tarot card reading can be an interesting experience for anyone. If you want to know the secrets of the tarot, you can try getting a tarot reading from a psychic. You can even get an online tarot reading. There are a lot of things you can do with the help of online psychics.
Jackson Swift is the author of this article for Universal Psychic Guild that offers telephone psychic readings, phone horoscope and numerology services.
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Monday, September 6, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Beginning Meditation
Beginning Meditation by Howard VanEs
In its’ simplest description, meditation can be described as a process of quieting your mind so that you can come into contact with quiet and peace that is always available to you inside.
A regular practice of meditation offers many benefits including: overall stress reduction, activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response), clearer thinking, more creative thinking, helps to quiet the mind, fosters an increased sense of peace and contentment, helps to balance the emotions, provides a connection to your Spirit. An ongoing practice of meditation also helps to provide a context for observing thinking patterns and emotions as well as an opportunity to cultivate peace and relaxation. Hundreds of modern research studies now confirm what the yogis new 5000 years ago!
There are various ways to meditate and they usually involve as point of focus such as your breath, a mantra or visualization. A variety of techniques are explained below.
Before you try them there are a few guidelines that are helpful to be aware of. The first has to do with time and place. It is ideal to meditate at the same time and the same place each time you meditate. In this way you create an association of meditating and peacefulness with the space you have chosen. Each time you come back to this space, you will anticipate the experience of meditation. Additionally, by using the same time and space, you will be developing a habit. This is important to nurture as the consistency of your practice is most important, even if it is just ten minutes a day. Dawn and dusk are traditional times to meditate, but anytime can work. Begin with ten to twenty minutes and work up to forty-five minutes if possible.
Another consideration regarding time is knowing when to stop. Some people just let their inner clock guide them while others prefer to use and alarm clock so they don’t have to be concerned about the time. If you practice regularly, you will most likely find that your sense of time becomes exquisite, and you will automatically know when it is time to stop meditating.
A comfortable and stable sitting position is also important. The classic meditation posture is the lotus position. The reason for this is that is quite stable and the spine held erect. However most people in the West are not comfortable in this position. The truth is that any stable seated posture can work – even sitting in a chair. Placing a folded blanket or meditation cushion under your sitz bones also makes sitting more comfortable. Some people find that their back muscles aren’t strong enough and begin to ache when they sit in one position for more than a few minutes. If this is happening to you then sit near a wall and when you feel you can no longer hold your back upright comfortably then move against the wall and you will get the support you need. Whichever way you chose to sit just make sure it is stable, comfortable, and that your head neck and spine are in one line, and erect.
As you begin meditate it is common to have any or all of the following experiences:
1.You mind wonders. This is quite natural and expected. Just bring yourself back to your point of focus.
2.You are not sure if you are doing it right. You are most likely doing it right. Meditation is pretty simple to do – more challenging to stay with.
3.You will have memories, images or thoughts that you may have not thought about in years. Just acknowledge them and bring your awareness back to your point of focus.
4.You start to analyze yourself. Remember this is a time for meditation not for psychotherapy. Analyze later, meditate now.
5.You have certain revelations. Again, acknowledge these and then bring yourself back to your point of focus.
6.A body part is sore or itchy. The first time you feel something in your body, just acknowledge it and bring your awarness back to your point of focus. Often, it will go away. If it continues to irritate you then change your body positions.
Meditation Techniques
Below are two classic meditation techniques. Feel free to try both and see which works best for you. Ideally you will want to start with ten to twenty minutes and overtime you can work up to forty-five minutes if you like. A daily practice yields the most benefit and progress. It is better to practice for fifteen minutes every day than to practice for one hour once a week.Your mind is like any other muscle - the more your exercise it the stronger it becomes!
Focusing on a sound or mantra
In this method a sound or “mantra” is repeated over and over and over again, either silently or outloud. The mantra becomes a point of focus or "object". A universal mantra is “Om” which is said to be the sound of creation. Another is “Ham (pronounced “hung”) “Sa” which means “I am that” - referring to spirit. Ham is said as you inhale and Sa as you exhale. The breathing is relaxed and easy through your nostrils Just keep bringing your awarness back to the mantra as you find your mind wondering. Remember, there is no need to beat yourself up for this as it is a natural phenomenon . Overtime you will find that mind wonders less and less. Some people like to use their own words such as “peace”, “love” or “let go”. If you have a special word or short group of words that has meaning for you, try using it.
Focusing on your breath:
Breathing in through your nostrils and though your nostrils, notice the feeling of the breath at the very point it enters your nose and follow the feelings of the air moving into your nasal passage to appoint where it ends. As you begin to exhale, notice where in your nasal passages you first notice your breath again and trace the feeling of your breath to the point where it exits your nostrils. Continue to notice your breath in this way, gently bringing your attention back to your breath when you catch your mind wondering. Another version of this technique is focus on the feeling of your torso moving in and out as your inhale and exhale.
One last point. It is sometimes very helpful to practice with others. Consider finding a meditation class at a nearby yoga studio or parks and recreation department. Practicing with like minded people and a good instructor can be very inspiring!
About the Author: Howard VanEs, M.A. has been studying and practicing yoga for over thirteen years and is a certified yoga instructor teaching in the East Bay area of San Francisco. He is author of “Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual”, co-creator of the audio CD “Shavasana/DeepRelaxation. Howard is also a former pscyhotherapist. http://www.letsdoyoga.com info@letsdoyoga.com
In its’ simplest description, meditation can be described as a process of quieting your mind so that you can come into contact with quiet and peace that is always available to you inside.
A regular practice of meditation offers many benefits including: overall stress reduction, activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (relaxation response), clearer thinking, more creative thinking, helps to quiet the mind, fosters an increased sense of peace and contentment, helps to balance the emotions, provides a connection to your Spirit. An ongoing practice of meditation also helps to provide a context for observing thinking patterns and emotions as well as an opportunity to cultivate peace and relaxation. Hundreds of modern research studies now confirm what the yogis new 5000 years ago!
There are various ways to meditate and they usually involve as point of focus such as your breath, a mantra or visualization. A variety of techniques are explained below.
Before you try them there are a few guidelines that are helpful to be aware of. The first has to do with time and place. It is ideal to meditate at the same time and the same place each time you meditate. In this way you create an association of meditating and peacefulness with the space you have chosen. Each time you come back to this space, you will anticipate the experience of meditation. Additionally, by using the same time and space, you will be developing a habit. This is important to nurture as the consistency of your practice is most important, even if it is just ten minutes a day. Dawn and dusk are traditional times to meditate, but anytime can work. Begin with ten to twenty minutes and work up to forty-five minutes if possible.
Another consideration regarding time is knowing when to stop. Some people just let their inner clock guide them while others prefer to use and alarm clock so they don’t have to be concerned about the time. If you practice regularly, you will most likely find that your sense of time becomes exquisite, and you will automatically know when it is time to stop meditating.
A comfortable and stable sitting position is also important. The classic meditation posture is the lotus position. The reason for this is that is quite stable and the spine held erect. However most people in the West are not comfortable in this position. The truth is that any stable seated posture can work – even sitting in a chair. Placing a folded blanket or meditation cushion under your sitz bones also makes sitting more comfortable. Some people find that their back muscles aren’t strong enough and begin to ache when they sit in one position for more than a few minutes. If this is happening to you then sit near a wall and when you feel you can no longer hold your back upright comfortably then move against the wall and you will get the support you need. Whichever way you chose to sit just make sure it is stable, comfortable, and that your head neck and spine are in one line, and erect.
As you begin meditate it is common to have any or all of the following experiences:
1.You mind wonders. This is quite natural and expected. Just bring yourself back to your point of focus.
2.You are not sure if you are doing it right. You are most likely doing it right. Meditation is pretty simple to do – more challenging to stay with.
3.You will have memories, images or thoughts that you may have not thought about in years. Just acknowledge them and bring your awareness back to your point of focus.
4.You start to analyze yourself. Remember this is a time for meditation not for psychotherapy. Analyze later, meditate now.
5.You have certain revelations. Again, acknowledge these and then bring yourself back to your point of focus.
6.A body part is sore or itchy. The first time you feel something in your body, just acknowledge it and bring your awarness back to your point of focus. Often, it will go away. If it continues to irritate you then change your body positions.
Meditation Techniques
Below are two classic meditation techniques. Feel free to try both and see which works best for you. Ideally you will want to start with ten to twenty minutes and overtime you can work up to forty-five minutes if you like. A daily practice yields the most benefit and progress. It is better to practice for fifteen minutes every day than to practice for one hour once a week.Your mind is like any other muscle - the more your exercise it the stronger it becomes!
Focusing on a sound or mantra
In this method a sound or “mantra” is repeated over and over and over again, either silently or outloud. The mantra becomes a point of focus or "object". A universal mantra is “Om” which is said to be the sound of creation. Another is “Ham (pronounced “hung”) “Sa” which means “I am that” - referring to spirit. Ham is said as you inhale and Sa as you exhale. The breathing is relaxed and easy through your nostrils Just keep bringing your awarness back to the mantra as you find your mind wondering. Remember, there is no need to beat yourself up for this as it is a natural phenomenon . Overtime you will find that mind wonders less and less. Some people like to use their own words such as “peace”, “love” or “let go”. If you have a special word or short group of words that has meaning for you, try using it.
Focusing on your breath:
Breathing in through your nostrils and though your nostrils, notice the feeling of the breath at the very point it enters your nose and follow the feelings of the air moving into your nasal passage to appoint where it ends. As you begin to exhale, notice where in your nasal passages you first notice your breath again and trace the feeling of your breath to the point where it exits your nostrils. Continue to notice your breath in this way, gently bringing your attention back to your breath when you catch your mind wondering. Another version of this technique is focus on the feeling of your torso moving in and out as your inhale and exhale.
One last point. It is sometimes very helpful to practice with others. Consider finding a meditation class at a nearby yoga studio or parks and recreation department. Practicing with like minded people and a good instructor can be very inspiring!
About the Author: Howard VanEs, M.A. has been studying and practicing yoga for over thirteen years and is a certified yoga instructor teaching in the East Bay area of San Francisco. He is author of “Beginning Yoga: A Practice Manual”, co-creator of the audio CD “Shavasana/DeepRelaxation. Howard is also a former pscyhotherapist. http://www.letsdoyoga.com info@letsdoyoga.com
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
What Is Meditation - How To Meditate
What Is Meditation - How To Meditate by Knut Holt
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.
6. 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 pleasant.
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.
About the Author: 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.----
http://www.abicana.com
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.
6. 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 pleasant.
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.
About the Author: 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.----
http://www.abicana.com
Monday, August 30, 2010
Meditation: The Best Remedy For High Blood Pressure
Meditation: The Best Remedy For High Blood Pressure by Dada Vedaprajinananda
I had a routine physical examination recently and the doctor was impressed with my blood pressure. Why? Because it was not too high like it is in many of the other people she sees every day. When she learned that I was a vegetarian, she became interested, making a connection between vegetarianism and controlled blood pressure.
But the real secret for my good showing on the blood pressure examination has as much to do with meditation, as it does with my vegetarian diet. Meditation is the best remedy, the best “medicine” for high blood pressure and heart disease, and I haven’t missed a day in the last 37 years.
Why is meditation so effective against one of the biggest health problems of today? Meditation de-stresses a person. Stress is one of the biggest causes of hypertension, and it is a part of everyday life that everyone has to face.
Our ancestors, the proto-human beings who lived thousands of years ago, mainly had physical challenges to deal with. If they saw a large predator, then danger messages were sent to their brains, and then more messages went to the rest of their bodies. Their bodies were made ready to either fight or flee.
Scientists call this a “fight or flight” reflex. The heart starts beating faster, the blood pressure increases, hormones are secreted. It is a useful reaction when you have to deal with a saber-tooth tiger, but what about when you face your boss at work?
When we are upset by someone at work or in society, danger signals are also sent to our brain and our heart starts beating faster and our blood pressure rises. However, we don’t usually run away and we usually don’t start fighting physically. We hold it all in, perhaps showing a smile on the outside. If this is kept up all day, the stress builds and if it continues over a long time it can damage our heart.
If you were to withdraw yourself completely from society you might be able to escape the stress, but this is not an option for most of us. However, it is possible to “withdraw” yourself two times a day and sit in meditation.
In fact, one of the important aspects of meditation is that it is a form of sense withdrawal. You sit quietly and follow instructions that will help you to forget the world around you and focus on an inner peace that is inside of you. When you become adept at this technique it relieves stress and is just as effective as going away to the top of a forested mountain or sitting alone on a sandy beach.
Meditation also helps you to slow down your breathing. Our mind is directly related to our breathing. When we are agitated or in distress we will take short quick breaths. When we are relaxed or concentrated then our breathing slows down and becomes deeper as well. Proper meditation helps to calm the mind and slow down the breathing. This combination of sense withdrawal and slow, deep breathing works wonders. Try and it one day you too will impress your physician with a healthy blood pressure reading.
About the Author: Dada Vedaprajinananda is a senior teacher with the Ananda Marga meditation society. He is the author of Start Meditation, Stop Smoking and Yoga Weight Loss Secrets.
I had a routine physical examination recently and the doctor was impressed with my blood pressure. Why? Because it was not too high like it is in many of the other people she sees every day. When she learned that I was a vegetarian, she became interested, making a connection between vegetarianism and controlled blood pressure.
But the real secret for my good showing on the blood pressure examination has as much to do with meditation, as it does with my vegetarian diet. Meditation is the best remedy, the best “medicine” for high blood pressure and heart disease, and I haven’t missed a day in the last 37 years.
Why is meditation so effective against one of the biggest health problems of today? Meditation de-stresses a person. Stress is one of the biggest causes of hypertension, and it is a part of everyday life that everyone has to face.
Our ancestors, the proto-human beings who lived thousands of years ago, mainly had physical challenges to deal with. If they saw a large predator, then danger messages were sent to their brains, and then more messages went to the rest of their bodies. Their bodies were made ready to either fight or flee.
Scientists call this a “fight or flight” reflex. The heart starts beating faster, the blood pressure increases, hormones are secreted. It is a useful reaction when you have to deal with a saber-tooth tiger, but what about when you face your boss at work?
When we are upset by someone at work or in society, danger signals are also sent to our brain and our heart starts beating faster and our blood pressure rises. However, we don’t usually run away and we usually don’t start fighting physically. We hold it all in, perhaps showing a smile on the outside. If this is kept up all day, the stress builds and if it continues over a long time it can damage our heart.
If you were to withdraw yourself completely from society you might be able to escape the stress, but this is not an option for most of us. However, it is possible to “withdraw” yourself two times a day and sit in meditation.
In fact, one of the important aspects of meditation is that it is a form of sense withdrawal. You sit quietly and follow instructions that will help you to forget the world around you and focus on an inner peace that is inside of you. When you become adept at this technique it relieves stress and is just as effective as going away to the top of a forested mountain or sitting alone on a sandy beach.
Meditation also helps you to slow down your breathing. Our mind is directly related to our breathing. When we are agitated or in distress we will take short quick breaths. When we are relaxed or concentrated then our breathing slows down and becomes deeper as well. Proper meditation helps to calm the mind and slow down the breathing. This combination of sense withdrawal and slow, deep breathing works wonders. Try and it one day you too will impress your physician with a healthy blood pressure reading.
About the Author: Dada Vedaprajinananda is a senior teacher with the Ananda Marga meditation society. He is the author of Start Meditation, Stop Smoking and Yoga Weight Loss Secrets.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Meditation In A Busy Life
Meditation In A Busy Life by Judy Braley
Our hectic schedules are crammed with crises, to-do lists, issues marked urgent and overflowing in trays... Far away from everyday events, at your core, lies a place of quiet, calm, serenity, and stillness... Feeling connected to life and your core can be an everyday and effortless activity. Mark Thornton
Should you meditate? The short answer is "Yes!" So if that's all you wanted to find out, you can stop reading right now. But I hope you don't because next I'm going to give you my take on the what?, why?, when?, where?, and how? of meditation.
First I'll warn you that I'm not a purist when it comes to meditation, so if you're looking for a lecture on Buddhist spiritual principles regarding meditation, you've come to the wrong place. I'm a busy, working parent who uses meditation to calm myself, to bring peace and happiness into my heart, and to bring awareness and clarity into my life. If you're looking for an approach less wrapped in spirituality and more tailored to a modern, hectic life, then I hope this article helps you.
What
There are lots of formal definitions out there for what meditation is, but what it comes down to is a basic focusing of attention and quieting of the superficial thoughts of the mind. It's becoming conscious of what's going on in your head rather than being on auto-pilot as usual. Meditation is a chance to:
* get in contact with the inner stillness that exists beneath the level of your thoughts
* bring your calm attention to an issue or feeling you want to resolve
* stay calm at anytime under any situation
* relax your mind and body
* connect, on the spiritual side, with the creative energy of life.
And guess what - you already do a form of meditation all the time. You focus attention on replaying the argument you had with your spouse, or on how fat you are, or on how little money you have. These are the types of negative things that your mind turns to when you're asleep at the switch, when you're not consciously paying attention to what you're thinking.
When you decide to meditate, you choose to be consciously aware of where your attention goes and you can choose to let go of thoughts that don't support you in a positive way. When you decide to meditate, you can also choose to become quiet inside - something your thinking mind rarely lets you do.
Why
Here's a short list of the benefits of meditation, although there are many more:
1. Reduces stress
2. Can help with depression, fears and conflicted emotions
3. Improves self-confidence
4. Helps cultivate peace and happiness
5. Slows aging, improves memory, helps with healing the body, strengthens the immune system, and relieves headaches
6. Allows you to bring calmness to any situation
7. On the spiritual side, many who promote meditation state that it is a way to consciously connect to the creative force of the Universe or God
8. Allows you to focus your creative energy to attract the things you desire into your life.
When and Where
Anytime! Anywhere! Yes, you can set aside a specific time for meditation and sit in quiet contemplation for an hour or more in a room that you designed using feng shui, but you don't have to. I know that method certainly isn't an option in my life right now, but I still benefit greatly from meditation.
You can meditate in the shower in the morning, when you're in line at the grocery store, for 20 minutes during lunch, for a few minutes before bed, whenever - the options are endless.
Many meditation proponents suggest setting aside 10-20 minutes right when you wake up in the morning and right before bed. Those are good choices if they fit your schedule. Those times do not fit my schedule so I take 15 minutes during my day at work to meditate and I slip in "mini-meditations" throughout my day when I'm standing in a line or waiting at a traffic light or anytime I feel tension building in my body.
How
There are as many ways to meditate as there are gurus and experts to tell you about them. If you're new to meditation, one of the most important things I want to tell you is that there are no rules except relax! Meditation is not a job or a competition. It's a path to calmness, gentleness, kindness, and relaxation.
Years ago when I first considered meditation, one of the biggest obstacles I thought I had was the relentless voice chattering away in my head, the endless thoughts. I could rarely stop them so I thought I was a failure at meditation most of the time. I remember going to a two-day silent meditation retreat where a teacher guided us in meditations. By the end of the second day, I finally experienced a quieting of my mind. I went home feeling incredibly joyous and peaceful. But by the next day my doubts returned. If it took me two days in silent meditation to get to a point where my mind was quiet, how was I ever going to fit meditation into my life?
I've since learned that you don't have to silence your thoughts to meditate. You can simply become aware of the fact that you are thinking and then let the thoughts float away. You don't have to beat yourself up over the fact that you can't stop the thoughts. In fact, it's better if you accept the fact that your mind can be a busy place and just turn your attention to what you want to focus on over and over again when your mind starts to stray. With practice, you'll find it easier to let go of the inner distractions and bring your mind to where you want it to be whether that's to inner silence or to focus on a specific issue.
There is no specific way you have to sit or stand to meditate. Sit, stand, walk, lay on your stomach at the beach and watch the waves - whatever works for you is fine. Don't limit yourself because you think you have to be sitting a certain way - that's just an excuse for not meditating.
How to meditate will probably depend on your purpose. I vary how I meditate depending on what I want to gain from the meditation. If I'm stressed, I choose to focus on my breathing or on consciously relaxing different parts of my body. If I have a goal I'm trying to achieve, I focus on sending energy to that goal. If I want to connect with the inner peace that I know is somewhere inside of me, I focus on the silence in my mind and try to let all thought float away.
Here are a few different meditation techniques that I use depending on the situation and what I hope will be the result:
* Breathing meditation: I like to put my attention on my breath as it comes in and out of my nose. I gently follow my breath and notice how it moves naturally into and out of my body. I find this technique instantly calming. Others suggest noticing your breath as it passes from your chest down into your diaphragm or belly and then back up. When my attention drifts, I gently bring it back. If I have some thoughts, I simply note that I'm "thinking" and shift attention back to the breath while allowing the thoughts to drift away. I use breathing meditation to calm myself, relieve stress, feel happier and more at peace, to clear my mind, and to connect with the stillness of the Universe. This can be done in a longer meditation session or in mini-meditations anytime during your day. If you find yourself getting upset at something, focus for a second on your breath and you'll find it gives you some space in your emotional turmoil.
* Visualization meditation: If you have an issue that you feel needs your mental and emotional attention, visualization meditation might help. Breathe slowly and use your imagination. If you have a goal, focus on the goal as if it were already complete - imagine how you will feel when it's complete and feel this positive feeling inside of you. If you have a person who you're angry with, imagine a positive energy inside yourself as a bright white light of kindness, and then surround an image of that person with the light while consciously saying "I forgive you for any pain you've caused me." (When you forgive people and release your anger, it helps you release negative energy stored inside of you, it allows you to react more calmly to that person, and it allows you to find better solutions to any additional problems with them.) I use visualization meditations for goals, improving relationships, and energizing myself. If I feel I have low energy, I imagine that white light of positive energy flowing through my body.
* Awareness meditation: This is simply the process of becoming consciously aware of your actions, your body, or your surroundings. This is an easy way to reduce stress, bring stillness to your mind, and bring calm understanding to almost any situation. It can also be done anywhere, anytime for a few seconds or for much longer periods. The technique is to simply notice what is happening. I like to use this when I need to relax or slow down, or when I start feeling worried or uptight about something. The point is to calm the mind and allow you to consciously decide where to put your attention rather than allowing your untamed thoughts to keep running the show.
1. If you choose action awareness, focus attention on exactly what you're doing and how you experience it. If you're walking, become aware of how the sidewalk looks and how it feels when you put your foot down to take a step. Become aware of the temperature of the air and the sounds in your environment. If you are washing dishes, become aware of how you hold the sponge and what the water feels like running across your hands.
2. If you choose body awareness, try to feel the energy flowing in your body. Can you feel the energy in your hands? There is life pulsing through your hands so there is definitely energy there! How about feeling energy in your legs or your shoulders? Can you locate any tension in your body and bring awareness to it? Notice how it feels.
3. If you choose awareness of your surroundings, notice where you are, what you see, what it sounds like, what the temperature is, and whether there is silence that you can find between the sounds.
Common Pitfalls
* "I can't stop thinking!" This is really common. You don't have to stop thinking. Allow the thoughts to be there, return your attention to where you want it, and let the thoughts float away.
* "My to-do list is running through my head and I'm coming up with things I don't want to forget." Keep a note pad next to you. Write down the item and then let it go from your mind. It will be on the pad when you're done.
* "I don't have time for this." Surely you have 2 minutes while waiting at the traffic light or in line at the store. In fact, if you do a mini breathing meditation while waiting in line at the store, you're much less likely to get annoyed when the person in front of you is paying in pennies.
* "I keep falling asleep." Try changing the time that you meditate, your position (sitting or standing rather than reclining), or accept that maybe you need more sleep and go ahead and take a nap.
Adding meditation to your life can be truly rewarding and there is always space for it. It can help you become more peaceful, healthy, self-confident, kind, relaxed and creative. It can help you come to know yourself better and become more powerfully connected to your life. Take a few minutes, breathe slowly, and give it a chance!
About the Author: Judy Braley is a personal development author, an attorney, and a parent. Her blog with free articles, resources, and information on inspiration for your life can be found at http://www.GrowFromWithin.com. Copyright © 2007 Wherett Inc. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box is attached.
Our hectic schedules are crammed with crises, to-do lists, issues marked urgent and overflowing in trays... Far away from everyday events, at your core, lies a place of quiet, calm, serenity, and stillness... Feeling connected to life and your core can be an everyday and effortless activity. Mark Thornton
Should you meditate? The short answer is "Yes!" So if that's all you wanted to find out, you can stop reading right now. But I hope you don't because next I'm going to give you my take on the what?, why?, when?, where?, and how? of meditation.
First I'll warn you that I'm not a purist when it comes to meditation, so if you're looking for a lecture on Buddhist spiritual principles regarding meditation, you've come to the wrong place. I'm a busy, working parent who uses meditation to calm myself, to bring peace and happiness into my heart, and to bring awareness and clarity into my life. If you're looking for an approach less wrapped in spirituality and more tailored to a modern, hectic life, then I hope this article helps you.
What
There are lots of formal definitions out there for what meditation is, but what it comes down to is a basic focusing of attention and quieting of the superficial thoughts of the mind. It's becoming conscious of what's going on in your head rather than being on auto-pilot as usual. Meditation is a chance to:
* get in contact with the inner stillness that exists beneath the level of your thoughts
* bring your calm attention to an issue or feeling you want to resolve
* stay calm at anytime under any situation
* relax your mind and body
* connect, on the spiritual side, with the creative energy of life.
And guess what - you already do a form of meditation all the time. You focus attention on replaying the argument you had with your spouse, or on how fat you are, or on how little money you have. These are the types of negative things that your mind turns to when you're asleep at the switch, when you're not consciously paying attention to what you're thinking.
When you decide to meditate, you choose to be consciously aware of where your attention goes and you can choose to let go of thoughts that don't support you in a positive way. When you decide to meditate, you can also choose to become quiet inside - something your thinking mind rarely lets you do.
Why
Here's a short list of the benefits of meditation, although there are many more:
1. Reduces stress
2. Can help with depression, fears and conflicted emotions
3. Improves self-confidence
4. Helps cultivate peace and happiness
5. Slows aging, improves memory, helps with healing the body, strengthens the immune system, and relieves headaches
6. Allows you to bring calmness to any situation
7. On the spiritual side, many who promote meditation state that it is a way to consciously connect to the creative force of the Universe or God
8. Allows you to focus your creative energy to attract the things you desire into your life.
When and Where
Anytime! Anywhere! Yes, you can set aside a specific time for meditation and sit in quiet contemplation for an hour or more in a room that you designed using feng shui, but you don't have to. I know that method certainly isn't an option in my life right now, but I still benefit greatly from meditation.
You can meditate in the shower in the morning, when you're in line at the grocery store, for 20 minutes during lunch, for a few minutes before bed, whenever - the options are endless.
Many meditation proponents suggest setting aside 10-20 minutes right when you wake up in the morning and right before bed. Those are good choices if they fit your schedule. Those times do not fit my schedule so I take 15 minutes during my day at work to meditate and I slip in "mini-meditations" throughout my day when I'm standing in a line or waiting at a traffic light or anytime I feel tension building in my body.
How
There are as many ways to meditate as there are gurus and experts to tell you about them. If you're new to meditation, one of the most important things I want to tell you is that there are no rules except relax! Meditation is not a job or a competition. It's a path to calmness, gentleness, kindness, and relaxation.
Years ago when I first considered meditation, one of the biggest obstacles I thought I had was the relentless voice chattering away in my head, the endless thoughts. I could rarely stop them so I thought I was a failure at meditation most of the time. I remember going to a two-day silent meditation retreat where a teacher guided us in meditations. By the end of the second day, I finally experienced a quieting of my mind. I went home feeling incredibly joyous and peaceful. But by the next day my doubts returned. If it took me two days in silent meditation to get to a point where my mind was quiet, how was I ever going to fit meditation into my life?
I've since learned that you don't have to silence your thoughts to meditate. You can simply become aware of the fact that you are thinking and then let the thoughts float away. You don't have to beat yourself up over the fact that you can't stop the thoughts. In fact, it's better if you accept the fact that your mind can be a busy place and just turn your attention to what you want to focus on over and over again when your mind starts to stray. With practice, you'll find it easier to let go of the inner distractions and bring your mind to where you want it to be whether that's to inner silence or to focus on a specific issue.
There is no specific way you have to sit or stand to meditate. Sit, stand, walk, lay on your stomach at the beach and watch the waves - whatever works for you is fine. Don't limit yourself because you think you have to be sitting a certain way - that's just an excuse for not meditating.
How to meditate will probably depend on your purpose. I vary how I meditate depending on what I want to gain from the meditation. If I'm stressed, I choose to focus on my breathing or on consciously relaxing different parts of my body. If I have a goal I'm trying to achieve, I focus on sending energy to that goal. If I want to connect with the inner peace that I know is somewhere inside of me, I focus on the silence in my mind and try to let all thought float away.
Here are a few different meditation techniques that I use depending on the situation and what I hope will be the result:
* Breathing meditation: I like to put my attention on my breath as it comes in and out of my nose. I gently follow my breath and notice how it moves naturally into and out of my body. I find this technique instantly calming. Others suggest noticing your breath as it passes from your chest down into your diaphragm or belly and then back up. When my attention drifts, I gently bring it back. If I have some thoughts, I simply note that I'm "thinking" and shift attention back to the breath while allowing the thoughts to drift away. I use breathing meditation to calm myself, relieve stress, feel happier and more at peace, to clear my mind, and to connect with the stillness of the Universe. This can be done in a longer meditation session or in mini-meditations anytime during your day. If you find yourself getting upset at something, focus for a second on your breath and you'll find it gives you some space in your emotional turmoil.
* Visualization meditation: If you have an issue that you feel needs your mental and emotional attention, visualization meditation might help. Breathe slowly and use your imagination. If you have a goal, focus on the goal as if it were already complete - imagine how you will feel when it's complete and feel this positive feeling inside of you. If you have a person who you're angry with, imagine a positive energy inside yourself as a bright white light of kindness, and then surround an image of that person with the light while consciously saying "I forgive you for any pain you've caused me." (When you forgive people and release your anger, it helps you release negative energy stored inside of you, it allows you to react more calmly to that person, and it allows you to find better solutions to any additional problems with them.) I use visualization meditations for goals, improving relationships, and energizing myself. If I feel I have low energy, I imagine that white light of positive energy flowing through my body.
* Awareness meditation: This is simply the process of becoming consciously aware of your actions, your body, or your surroundings. This is an easy way to reduce stress, bring stillness to your mind, and bring calm understanding to almost any situation. It can also be done anywhere, anytime for a few seconds or for much longer periods. The technique is to simply notice what is happening. I like to use this when I need to relax or slow down, or when I start feeling worried or uptight about something. The point is to calm the mind and allow you to consciously decide where to put your attention rather than allowing your untamed thoughts to keep running the show.
1. If you choose action awareness, focus attention on exactly what you're doing and how you experience it. If you're walking, become aware of how the sidewalk looks and how it feels when you put your foot down to take a step. Become aware of the temperature of the air and the sounds in your environment. If you are washing dishes, become aware of how you hold the sponge and what the water feels like running across your hands.
2. If you choose body awareness, try to feel the energy flowing in your body. Can you feel the energy in your hands? There is life pulsing through your hands so there is definitely energy there! How about feeling energy in your legs or your shoulders? Can you locate any tension in your body and bring awareness to it? Notice how it feels.
3. If you choose awareness of your surroundings, notice where you are, what you see, what it sounds like, what the temperature is, and whether there is silence that you can find between the sounds.
Common Pitfalls
* "I can't stop thinking!" This is really common. You don't have to stop thinking. Allow the thoughts to be there, return your attention to where you want it, and let the thoughts float away.
* "My to-do list is running through my head and I'm coming up with things I don't want to forget." Keep a note pad next to you. Write down the item and then let it go from your mind. It will be on the pad when you're done.
* "I don't have time for this." Surely you have 2 minutes while waiting at the traffic light or in line at the store. In fact, if you do a mini breathing meditation while waiting in line at the store, you're much less likely to get annoyed when the person in front of you is paying in pennies.
* "I keep falling asleep." Try changing the time that you meditate, your position (sitting or standing rather than reclining), or accept that maybe you need more sleep and go ahead and take a nap.
Adding meditation to your life can be truly rewarding and there is always space for it. It can help you become more peaceful, healthy, self-confident, kind, relaxed and creative. It can help you come to know yourself better and become more powerfully connected to your life. Take a few minutes, breathe slowly, and give it a chance!
About the Author: Judy Braley is a personal development author, an attorney, and a parent. Her blog with free articles, resources, and information on inspiration for your life can be found at http://www.GrowFromWithin.com. Copyright © 2007 Wherett Inc. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box is attached.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
7 Tips For Better Meditation
7 Tips For Better Meditation by Cucan Pemo
Meditation is an intensely personal and, for some people, private experience. It is a complete and total relaxation technique and some may need unique circumstances to help bring upon that level of rest.
For most people, however, there are basic guidelines to follow to get the most out of your meditation sessions. Here is a helpful list you can follow the next time you have a meditation session.
· Meditation is inexorably tied to your body. If you don’t feel confident and happy with the current state of your body, you will have a very hard time relaxing properly. This applies to all aspects of your body. If you are planning on meditating later that day, try to eat extra healthy that day so when you go to meditate, you know that you’ve made healthy choices that day.
If you feel much better about your body after a shower or bath, take one before you go to meditate. Try not to eat right before you meditate, but you can eat right earlier in the day. If you feel better after stretching, do that before you meditate. Any easy to implement practice that helps put you more at ease and in a relaxing frame of mind is a good idea before you meditate.
· Just as you should prepare your body for meditation, you should also prepare your mind. You should look forward to meditation, so that when the time comes, you’re ready for it and in the right frame of mind. Try to lock yourself away the best you can. If you can’t get away from a phone or guests, try turning your phone off and going in another room away from people.
If you have a nagging chore you need to do, finish it before you even consider meditating. You must have as clear of a mind as possible before you even consider sitting down to meditate.
· One of the ways that many people chose to set their mind at ease is with music. Music can be the best mood setter out there, so if you need a little extra help finding the right mood for your meditation, put on a favorite song or a song that you feel is empowering or makes you feel self confident. Get lost in the words or the beat and use it to help slide yourself into a meditative state. There is nothing wrong with using a bit of help if you need it and music is one of the best sources for that.
· You should make sure that your posture is good during meditation. While that may sound a bit odd, you need to make sure your back is straight and your legs crossed. If you can make it into a lotus position or the half lotus position, you’ll be in great shape. A straight back and proper posture will help your body achieve a deeper and more meaningful state of meditation.
· Follow the experts. People have been refining the art of meditation for millennia and your meditation instructor has likely learned from experts and passed that knowledge on to you. While a small amount of freelancing is fine, you should stick with the original lesson as much as possible. The methods taught are like that for a reason and they have been proven to achieve the highest levels of meditative bliss. While it may be tempting to do your own thing, you should place your trust in your teacher and use the examples he or she taught you.
· Meditation is habit forming. If you begin meditation and you’re serious about making it part of your life, it will be most beneficial to you if you make it a regular part of your life. You won’t experience the true benefit if you only do it once in a while. Practice does in fact make perfect in this instance and the more regular your meditation sessions are, the more you’ll enjoy it and the better you’ll feel.
· Patience is key. By introducing meditation into your life, you’ve taken a single step along a path of enlightenment and inner peace. It is a long journey, however. If you don’t feel like you’re getting the results you’re after once a week or a month has passed, be patient. There are people who spend a lifetime meditating who only reach what they are looking for after decades of practice. Stick with it and you’re sure to achieve your goal.
Meditation is a beautiful and wonderful practice that millions of people take part in every day around the world. It does, however, take years of meditation to truly see results and while that can be frustrating to some people, it is those with the foresight to stick with it that are rewarded in the end.
About the Author: Dream Come True
http://www.messageofamaster.com
Magical free eBook has helped thousands of readers all over the world make their dreams and wishes come true! This amazing little book will transform your life in ways you would never have imagined!
Make Your Dream and Wishes Come True! Download FREE.
http://www.messageofamaster.com
Meditation is an intensely personal and, for some people, private experience. It is a complete and total relaxation technique and some may need unique circumstances to help bring upon that level of rest.
For most people, however, there are basic guidelines to follow to get the most out of your meditation sessions. Here is a helpful list you can follow the next time you have a meditation session.
· Meditation is inexorably tied to your body. If you don’t feel confident and happy with the current state of your body, you will have a very hard time relaxing properly. This applies to all aspects of your body. If you are planning on meditating later that day, try to eat extra healthy that day so when you go to meditate, you know that you’ve made healthy choices that day.
If you feel much better about your body after a shower or bath, take one before you go to meditate. Try not to eat right before you meditate, but you can eat right earlier in the day. If you feel better after stretching, do that before you meditate. Any easy to implement practice that helps put you more at ease and in a relaxing frame of mind is a good idea before you meditate.
· Just as you should prepare your body for meditation, you should also prepare your mind. You should look forward to meditation, so that when the time comes, you’re ready for it and in the right frame of mind. Try to lock yourself away the best you can. If you can’t get away from a phone or guests, try turning your phone off and going in another room away from people.
If you have a nagging chore you need to do, finish it before you even consider meditating. You must have as clear of a mind as possible before you even consider sitting down to meditate.
· One of the ways that many people chose to set their mind at ease is with music. Music can be the best mood setter out there, so if you need a little extra help finding the right mood for your meditation, put on a favorite song or a song that you feel is empowering or makes you feel self confident. Get lost in the words or the beat and use it to help slide yourself into a meditative state. There is nothing wrong with using a bit of help if you need it and music is one of the best sources for that.
· You should make sure that your posture is good during meditation. While that may sound a bit odd, you need to make sure your back is straight and your legs crossed. If you can make it into a lotus position or the half lotus position, you’ll be in great shape. A straight back and proper posture will help your body achieve a deeper and more meaningful state of meditation.
· Follow the experts. People have been refining the art of meditation for millennia and your meditation instructor has likely learned from experts and passed that knowledge on to you. While a small amount of freelancing is fine, you should stick with the original lesson as much as possible. The methods taught are like that for a reason and they have been proven to achieve the highest levels of meditative bliss. While it may be tempting to do your own thing, you should place your trust in your teacher and use the examples he or she taught you.
· Meditation is habit forming. If you begin meditation and you’re serious about making it part of your life, it will be most beneficial to you if you make it a regular part of your life. You won’t experience the true benefit if you only do it once in a while. Practice does in fact make perfect in this instance and the more regular your meditation sessions are, the more you’ll enjoy it and the better you’ll feel.
· Patience is key. By introducing meditation into your life, you’ve taken a single step along a path of enlightenment and inner peace. It is a long journey, however. If you don’t feel like you’re getting the results you’re after once a week or a month has passed, be patient. There are people who spend a lifetime meditating who only reach what they are looking for after decades of practice. Stick with it and you’re sure to achieve your goal.
Meditation is a beautiful and wonderful practice that millions of people take part in every day around the world. It does, however, take years of meditation to truly see results and while that can be frustrating to some people, it is those with the foresight to stick with it that are rewarded in the end.
About the Author: Dream Come True
http://www.messageofamaster.com
Magical free eBook has helped thousands of readers all over the world make their dreams and wishes come true! This amazing little book will transform your life in ways you would never have imagined!
Make Your Dream and Wishes Come True! Download FREE.
http://www.messageofamaster.com
Friday, August 27, 2010
An Efficient Meditation Technique – Basic Steps To Follow
An Efficient Meditation Technique – Basic Steps To Follow by Michael Ross
Many individuals that are in search of clearing their minds from daily worries and stress turn to meditation. But is there a 100% efficient meditation technique? The facts are that there can be found various meditation techniques – some of them quite specialized and detailed – but there are a few steps that need to be followed regardless of the chosen method: the breathing, the relaxing and the meditation itself. Here they are!
How to Breathe
The first thing you should know is that there is not meditation without a proper breathing. Basically, you need to focus on your breathing, to breathe in slowly, yet deeply and to let the air out as slowly as you can, but without making effort. Try to think that the air is clean and pure, that it comes straight from God, from the perfect nature or from other positive, ideal sources. Furthermore, try to feel that the breathing is cleaning your entire body and that it is helping your body loosen up. Some individuals find it useful to try to breath as slowly as possible and, at the same time, as quietly as possible – try to think like you are “whispering” your breathing.
How to Relax
Meditation and relaxation go hand in hand and depend on each other, so make sure that you are committed to begin a complex and unite meditation exercises program, a program that is based on a previous relaxation and detachment from worries and problems. But how can you make sure that you reach the needed level of relaxation? Well, first of all, you need to be surrounded by a welcoming, appealing and intimate decor that can permit you relax and meditate. Select the place where you feel most comfortable and at peace.
How to Meditate
The wide range of meditation tools and techniques permits you to find the one that is most suitable for you. But there is one meditation technique that seems to be very popular and easily applicable: the visualization meditation practice. The only question here is: “What should you visualize?” the answer is quite simple: you should visualize the one thing that makes you feel relaxed, happy, satisfied or that induces any other feeling you enjoy. Basically, it can be anything: a moment that happened, a moment that you expect to happen, an activity that relaxes you, a fantasy, a trip to an exotic island or, why not, to your own room or home (the place where you feel safest and best), a natural element, your loved ones and the list can go on and on.
When you are imagining or picturing the selected moment or element, you have to let all its beauty invade you, you have to be receptive to all the stimulants that it offers you, to enjoy it in all the ways you can. Observe your selected element carefully, slowly, be attentive to the details. Live the emotions that it creates with intensity and you will live the meditation experience at high standards.
Once you have started to meditate, make sure you practice your meditation technique every day or at least every other day and make sure you follow the above tips, in order to get to the desired results. Remember that meditation is a key to a better health, a better sleep, a better focus and, in general, to a better life, so those 10 minutes every day are worth it!
About the Author: Want to calm your mind & super-charge your energy level? We've created a FREE audio e-course with meditation techniques. Click here to get started.
Many individuals that are in search of clearing their minds from daily worries and stress turn to meditation. But is there a 100% efficient meditation technique? The facts are that there can be found various meditation techniques – some of them quite specialized and detailed – but there are a few steps that need to be followed regardless of the chosen method: the breathing, the relaxing and the meditation itself. Here they are!
How to Breathe
The first thing you should know is that there is not meditation without a proper breathing. Basically, you need to focus on your breathing, to breathe in slowly, yet deeply and to let the air out as slowly as you can, but without making effort. Try to think that the air is clean and pure, that it comes straight from God, from the perfect nature or from other positive, ideal sources. Furthermore, try to feel that the breathing is cleaning your entire body and that it is helping your body loosen up. Some individuals find it useful to try to breath as slowly as possible and, at the same time, as quietly as possible – try to think like you are “whispering” your breathing.
How to Relax
Meditation and relaxation go hand in hand and depend on each other, so make sure that you are committed to begin a complex and unite meditation exercises program, a program that is based on a previous relaxation and detachment from worries and problems. But how can you make sure that you reach the needed level of relaxation? Well, first of all, you need to be surrounded by a welcoming, appealing and intimate decor that can permit you relax and meditate. Select the place where you feel most comfortable and at peace.
How to Meditate
The wide range of meditation tools and techniques permits you to find the one that is most suitable for you. But there is one meditation technique that seems to be very popular and easily applicable: the visualization meditation practice. The only question here is: “What should you visualize?” the answer is quite simple: you should visualize the one thing that makes you feel relaxed, happy, satisfied or that induces any other feeling you enjoy. Basically, it can be anything: a moment that happened, a moment that you expect to happen, an activity that relaxes you, a fantasy, a trip to an exotic island or, why not, to your own room or home (the place where you feel safest and best), a natural element, your loved ones and the list can go on and on.
When you are imagining or picturing the selected moment or element, you have to let all its beauty invade you, you have to be receptive to all the stimulants that it offers you, to enjoy it in all the ways you can. Observe your selected element carefully, slowly, be attentive to the details. Live the emotions that it creates with intensity and you will live the meditation experience at high standards.
Once you have started to meditate, make sure you practice your meditation technique every day or at least every other day and make sure you follow the above tips, in order to get to the desired results. Remember that meditation is a key to a better health, a better sleep, a better focus and, in general, to a better life, so those 10 minutes every day are worth it!
About the Author: Want to calm your mind & super-charge your energy level? We've created a FREE audio e-course with meditation techniques. Click here to get started.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Breathing Exercises
Breathing Exercises by Jon Rhodes
Correct breathing can make a huge difference to how we feel. It is very difficult to feel upset or angry when you are breathing slowly, deeply and quietly. It is also a great way to help you sleep.
If you will, try taking a deep breath right now.
Do you feel more alert and energized now? Lack of oxygen in the blood makes us feel tired, and can cause headaches.
A few deep breaths can lower anxiety, ease mild indigestion, and help us wake up and go to sleep.
Meditation, which is similar to hypnosis, is also very effective at reducing stress. Try this simple breathing exercise daily, or at least when you are feeling stressed and need some time out.
Get yourself comfortable, you may wish to lie or sit. Make sure you not get disturbed for about half an hour. Subdue the lighting. Close your eyes if it helps you concentrate, or better still keep them half open.
Breath as naturally as you can, and count each out breath up to ten. Repeat this for about 20 minutes. Notice how your breath is warmer when exhaled.Listen to the sound of the breathing through your body. Enjoy!
Optional Extra
When you are in a relaxed and comfortable state, tell yourself a keyword such as “relax”. Tell yourself that whenever you say your keyword, no matter where you are or what you are doing, you will return to this current state of relaxation.
Try this in various different situations in your day to day life, you will be amazed at the results!
-----
The Alternative Nostril Breath
Sit or lie in a comfortable position. Breath in through the left nostril (you may need to use a finger to keep your right nostril closed), and how for a relaxed ten count. Now exhale gently out of the right nostril. Now repeat this breathing in through your right nostril with your and exhaling out of the left. The whole process should be repeated about 5 times
This is great for energizing and relaxing, and for clearing sinuses.
Jon Rhodes is a very experienced UK clinical hypnotherapist. Click to visit a free hypnosis site, or here for hypnosis audios
Correct breathing can make a huge difference to how we feel. It is very difficult to feel upset or angry when you are breathing slowly, deeply and quietly. It is also a great way to help you sleep.
If you will, try taking a deep breath right now.
Do you feel more alert and energized now? Lack of oxygen in the blood makes us feel tired, and can cause headaches.
A few deep breaths can lower anxiety, ease mild indigestion, and help us wake up and go to sleep.
Meditation, which is similar to hypnosis, is also very effective at reducing stress. Try this simple breathing exercise daily, or at least when you are feeling stressed and need some time out.
Get yourself comfortable, you may wish to lie or sit. Make sure you not get disturbed for about half an hour. Subdue the lighting. Close your eyes if it helps you concentrate, or better still keep them half open.
Breath as naturally as you can, and count each out breath up to ten. Repeat this for about 20 minutes. Notice how your breath is warmer when exhaled.Listen to the sound of the breathing through your body. Enjoy!
Optional Extra
When you are in a relaxed and comfortable state, tell yourself a keyword such as “relax”. Tell yourself that whenever you say your keyword, no matter where you are or what you are doing, you will return to this current state of relaxation.
Try this in various different situations in your day to day life, you will be amazed at the results!
-----
The Alternative Nostril Breath
Sit or lie in a comfortable position. Breath in through the left nostril (you may need to use a finger to keep your right nostril closed), and how for a relaxed ten count. Now exhale gently out of the right nostril. Now repeat this breathing in through your right nostril with your and exhaling out of the left. The whole process should be repeated about 5 times
This is great for energizing and relaxing, and for clearing sinuses.
Jon Rhodes is a very experienced UK clinical hypnotherapist. Click to visit a free hypnosis site, or here for hypnosis audios
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Earth Healing Meditation
Earth Healing Meditation by Certified Crystal Healer Ashley Dalke
Meditation is a focusing or concentration of one's mental energy until one has reached a perfect stillness of the mind. With practice, meditation will allow one to realize the true self. There are several steps one can take to promote a successful meditation. First, one should create a sacred space in which he or she is comfortable. One's environment can greatly influence his or her success in meditation. Correct posture can also significantly contribute to one's meditative practice. One should sit in the posture that is most comfortable to oneself. When one is not comfortable, the discomfort can become distracting to the mind and can disrupt one's focus. Next, one should begin focused breathing and begin concentration. When stillness is achieved, one should retain it as long as possible until the end of the meditation session (at least 10 to 15 minutes).
Crystals can be used in meditation to help one concentrate and to focus his or her mind's energy. Crystals amplify one's intentions and thoughts which raise his or her energy vibration, promoting conscious awareness. One's thoughts become more pure through meditation with crystals; they become filled with love and light for the good of all beings.
This meditation was developed to send healing energy to the earth. When done with proper intent, it can combat the effects of pollution, global warming, and other negative environmental conditions in order help to return Mother Earth to a more wholesome state of being. This meditation is most effective when utilizing a Chrysocolla stone or one Azurite stone and one Malachite stone
Sit or stand in a comfortable position with the soles of your feet flat on the ground (no shoes please). Center yourself; begin to attune yourself to the earth's energy (you may wish to use a picture or some other symbol).
Begin circular breathing. Breathe in healing white universal light through your root chakra. See the light traveling up your chakras to the crown chakra. Exhale the light through your throat chakra back down to the basal chakra and breathe in the light again. Imagine the light like a wave. Imagine this wave of light moving in and out of your body like the tide. Now, expand the light so that it is a continuous loop of healing energy moving through your ethereal and physical bodies.
Imagine your chakras opening. Begin at the base chakra and picture a red swirling vortex of energy. Focus your attention on making this red energy very bright. Next, move up to the sacral chakra and imagine an orange energy vortex. Proceed through the chakras in this manner using yellow light at the solar plexus, green and pink at the heart, blue at the throat, indigo at the third eye, and violet at the crown.
Pick up your stone(s) (or place in front of you) and begin to focus your energy on earth-healing. Imagine the earth being covered with trees and flowers, with beautiful, flowing rivers, and being in a great state of health. Imagine it surrounded by white, healing light. Begin to further connect yourself to the earth by focusing on the two crystals. Start to pull in white healing light energy through your crown chakra. Next, imagine your legs and feet turning into roots and growing deep into the earth. Begin to transfer the white light from your crown, down through the chakras, and through your legs, out the roots, and into the earth.
Focus your attention on energizing the earth and on sending it love and healing light. Thank the earth if you wish. Spend some time sending these healing energies while continuing your circular breathing.
When you feel you are ready, imagine the roots loosening from the earth and resuming being your legs. Slowly come back to conscious awareness.
Certified Crystal Healer Ashley Dalke
(630) 254-4685 crystalhealer1@gmail.com
http://www.freewebs.com/crystalhealer1
Meditation is a focusing or concentration of one's mental energy until one has reached a perfect stillness of the mind. With practice, meditation will allow one to realize the true self. There are several steps one can take to promote a successful meditation. First, one should create a sacred space in which he or she is comfortable. One's environment can greatly influence his or her success in meditation. Correct posture can also significantly contribute to one's meditative practice. One should sit in the posture that is most comfortable to oneself. When one is not comfortable, the discomfort can become distracting to the mind and can disrupt one's focus. Next, one should begin focused breathing and begin concentration. When stillness is achieved, one should retain it as long as possible until the end of the meditation session (at least 10 to 15 minutes).
Crystals can be used in meditation to help one concentrate and to focus his or her mind's energy. Crystals amplify one's intentions and thoughts which raise his or her energy vibration, promoting conscious awareness. One's thoughts become more pure through meditation with crystals; they become filled with love and light for the good of all beings.
This meditation was developed to send healing energy to the earth. When done with proper intent, it can combat the effects of pollution, global warming, and other negative environmental conditions in order help to return Mother Earth to a more wholesome state of being. This meditation is most effective when utilizing a Chrysocolla stone or one Azurite stone and one Malachite stone
Sit or stand in a comfortable position with the soles of your feet flat on the ground (no shoes please). Center yourself; begin to attune yourself to the earth's energy (you may wish to use a picture or some other symbol).
Begin circular breathing. Breathe in healing white universal light through your root chakra. See the light traveling up your chakras to the crown chakra. Exhale the light through your throat chakra back down to the basal chakra and breathe in the light again. Imagine the light like a wave. Imagine this wave of light moving in and out of your body like the tide. Now, expand the light so that it is a continuous loop of healing energy moving through your ethereal and physical bodies.
Imagine your chakras opening. Begin at the base chakra and picture a red swirling vortex of energy. Focus your attention on making this red energy very bright. Next, move up to the sacral chakra and imagine an orange energy vortex. Proceed through the chakras in this manner using yellow light at the solar plexus, green and pink at the heart, blue at the throat, indigo at the third eye, and violet at the crown.
Pick up your stone(s) (or place in front of you) and begin to focus your energy on earth-healing. Imagine the earth being covered with trees and flowers, with beautiful, flowing rivers, and being in a great state of health. Imagine it surrounded by white, healing light. Begin to further connect yourself to the earth by focusing on the two crystals. Start to pull in white healing light energy through your crown chakra. Next, imagine your legs and feet turning into roots and growing deep into the earth. Begin to transfer the white light from your crown, down through the chakras, and through your legs, out the roots, and into the earth.
Focus your attention on energizing the earth and on sending it love and healing light. Thank the earth if you wish. Spend some time sending these healing energies while continuing your circular breathing.
When you feel you are ready, imagine the roots loosening from the earth and resuming being your legs. Slowly come back to conscious awareness.
Certified Crystal Healer Ashley Dalke
(630) 254-4685 crystalhealer1@gmail.com
http://www.freewebs.com/crystalhealer1
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)