Meditation

Meditation is a very beneficial exercise.  When done correctly meditation allows you to relax your body, mind and soul .  Meditation connects you with your inner self and helps to create a calming state of mind.  When we learn how to clear our minds and relax into ourselves we think better, we allow our creativity to flow and we open our minds to new and exciting opportunities.

There are many meditation methods. Some are passive and others are active -- not in the physical sense, but in the sense that you actually do something during meditation. The meditations that you will find here will help you develop spiritually.<O:P> You will find after practicing meditation for a time that a feeling of  inner awareness will begin to grow.  This insight into ourselves can be very important to our personal growth and fulfillment of life.  When you know what makes you truly happy half the battle is already won.  Growing up we have many influences in our lives.  Friends, family and society offer guidance and direction on many aspects of our lives.  They help to lead us down the right path in life.  Although we can still be confused, frustrated and unfulfilled about where we are going in life.  Even with good intentions no one other then you can know what will truly make you happy and fulfilled. Each of us need to pick our own path and follow it.  Support from friends and family are very important.  However, we must not be swayed us from what we feel is our path in life and what will make us truly happy.

Meditation is a great way to get in touch with your inner self.  It is also a perfect way to unwind after a stressful day.  Life is busy and demanding and everyone has stresses that they need to cope with on a daily base.  Relaxation techniques such as Meditation on a regular basis will help clear your mind and relax your body.  Handling daily annoyances will be much easier and you will be enabled to make better choices.

 

Basics of getting the most from your meditation:

• Find 15 minutes to meditate each day around the same time.
• Exercise 3 times a week.
• Get proper rest.
• Watch what you eat. Eat energy foods, steam vegetable rather than boil them.
• Cut down your alcohol, tea and coffee.
• Drink lots of water (recommended 8 glasses).
• Never mix alcohol and drugs with spiritual work, no consumption of either least 6 hours before you meditate.
• Don't eat a heavy meal 4 hours before meditating but don't meditate hungry either. Have a light snack before mediating so you can concentrate without your tummy grumbling.
• Hygiene can affect our spiritual growth, it is important to get a clean mind and body.
• Keep to loose fitting clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk and wool for your meditation to give your skin the ability to breathe.

There are different techniques to Mediating but visualization is a good one to start with.  Create a mental picture of something to concentrate on until you are fully focused on your image and you let go of everything else around you..

Getting the most benefit from your mediation sessions:

• When picking a quiet area to mediate, keep to natural lighting when you can.  Don't use fluorescent lighting for your space.  Make fresh air accessible with sounds and smells. Your space should not be too hot or cold and should be somewhere that you will not be disturbed.
  Make your mediation area your own space. You might want crystals, music, plants, metals or candlelight around you. This space should be the most comfortable place in your home.

• Get into a comfortable upright position keeping your feet resting flat on the floor or sitting with your legs folded.  Imagine a string at the top of your head pulling it up gently until your head is over your shoulders and your spine is straight but relaxed. When your back is straight your breathing and your circulation will be smooth and even. Do not sit leaning forward, the head should be bent slightly forward to keep it relaxed. Rest your hands cupped in one another on your lap.

• Your eyes can be open or closed, which ever is more comfortable. Should your mind become dull or sleepy with your eyes closed try opening your eyes and look around a few minutes when you are more alert try to relax your eyes half closed. Keep your jaw in a natural position and the tongue resting gently on the back gum of your front teeth.

• Breathing is very important in Mediation, start by breathing deeply in a calming, natural way do not force it.  Just let it go.  As you breathe, relax into it and open you mind, still focusing on your breathing.  Once you start deepening into your Meditation  you will begin to feel the releasing of all  your tensions and stresses of the day.  You will feel your breathe become slower and deeper as your tensions melt away.

• Generally, it is good to meditate in the morning when the mind is fresh and there are fewer distracting thoughts. Meditation at the beginning of the day helps to generate energy and inner peace creating a more relaxed and productive day. However when you mediate depends on your lifestyle.

• In general it is not good to meditate right after you eat or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

• Allow yourself 20 - 30 minutes. for each session once or twice a day or when ever you feel you could use a little time for yourself. 

• After the session don't get up and rush off to go back to work, school or to pick up the kids.  Take a moment to gently bring yourself back into your surroundings.   Open your eyes and take a look around.  Give yourself those extra minutes to savoir the feeling and take that feeling with you as you do you daily tasks.

Meditation is simple but not always easy.  With practice the ability to open your mind will gradually grow into a wonderful spiritually centering and enlightening journey into yourself and everything around you. It is important to have complete and proper instructions from a qualified and experienced teacher.  Make sure you are meditating properly to get the most benefit from your efforts. The peace and stillness you will find through Meditation can provide you with a flow of energy and  a more positive uplifting look at the world.  Meditation won't make your troubles and daily stresses go away but it can help you deal with them on a much more positive level while keeping your body rested and relaxed.

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